Autumn 2020 music thread

[thirdfiddle]

Oh go on then, let's have a new music thread. Spring wasn't good.
What's going on music parents? Are they going back to real live lessons? Is it all virtual for Autumn? Have they sustained interest over lockdown? Any new starters want to join us - or new departures for established musicians?

Hello. Has anyone requested the remarking of an online music exam recently (Trinity)? Had an email to say it could take 9 weeks! Any positive outcomes? Thanks

Hi DC recently received g8 results and did really well. Question is, what next? Dc had missed feelings. Felt like a major milestone had been achieved. Do most go on to do a diploma and if so which ? Or should dc take time away to explore other musical styles? Would like to hear your thoughts!!!

Hi fiddle, that's brilliant, and even more so with the challenges of the past few months. I have no advice as mine are nowhere near that stage. Depends what they want to do I guess. Whether chamber music, orchestra, explore some solo repertoire, different genres. Must be a huge relief but also maybe feel a bit directionless as exams give a clear focus. So much repertoire is opened up by that stage maybe listen to some music and and choose something to work on. Do some self duets using acapella app, it's quite challenging.

Congratulations fiddle! Witb diplomas I think it really depends what age/stage DC is and what their aims are. At g8 they're only starting on the good repertoire, so I'd be looking to get stuck into some high level studies and more advanced pieces for the next good while. There's often more orchestra/chamber music playing accessible to post grade 8 players, though coronavirus may put a hold on that to start with.

Diploma repertoire is very much standard next stage repertoire that they'd want to learn whether planning to take an exam or not so it's not something they particularly need to decide about soon. There are higher expectations for performance quality and I've known pretty solid players to fail them. So unless DC was taking g8 from an already learned half the diploma repertoire perspective I wouldn't think about it for a couple of years at least.

People I know who've done a pre-professional level diploma have done DipABRSM. ABRSM now also have a performance only one which is same repertoire but just performing no extras, if that appeals in due course. I don't know why that one particularly, may just be because they did other grades with abrsm so carried on the same.

Hi @thirdfiddle and @horseymum and thanks for the suggestions. Since last posting DC’s teacher has recommended the dip abrsm diploma equivalent on trinity. As all previous exams have been abrsm, I know very little about trinity other than they possibly have a bigger repertoire list.

Dc is 14 if that helps and does feel a little lost since completing g8. Would really like to get dc re-focused on spending the next 2 yrs working on and perfecting this new level. Picking the right next step and board though I imagine will be important....

Has anyone’s teen just done the piano theory exam? G5? There was a lot of admin to read but we think it went ok. Wondering how long it will take to get the result as they need to check the videos?

Hi, my DD did the theory exam. It said four weeks to wait. We'll just need to forget about it now.

Oh wow 4 weeks! Ok will forget about it for now 😂

Hi there, I'm new to this thread (and to Mumsnet) & I wondered if there were still parents on here with DCs at one of the London JDs? My DD is thinking of auditioning in the spring and although we've done all the research online it would be great to get some first-hand advice.
@PaddingtonPaddington @raspberryrippleicecream @pippa289 @Mickey33 - am I right in thinking you all have DCs at JDs? Thanks!

Hi all. What are you thoughts on the ABRSM performance exams please? (Remotely assessed). DS's piano teacher thinks it won't be taken as seriously so she didn't let DS do it. DS has now got his g4 results back and it was let down by the lower marks on aural test. So for his G5 I think it would be better suited to take the performance exams. What do you think please? Thank you.

Hi words and music. No advice but welcome. We're toying with applying to a JD this year but would want to know it was hopefully face to face as otherwise it's a lot of money. Hope you get some other advice.

Not sure about performance exams, we would hope to do a grade 6 in the spring so following with interest any experiences.

Way ABOVE that, I mean!

Hi Words, DS is at RCMJD, but he's learning a rare instrument so the standard for entrance wasn't that high. So it depends on what instrument your DC is doing, violin and piano's standards are very high, we know a few g8 distinctions at 9 years old there. But they do look for potential mainly, enthusiasm and commitment too.

Performance exams - we’ve had two sets of usual exams cancelled so we are going g6 performance ASAP. Dd has 4 pieces ready so wants to get them done so she can move forward. I’m glad they offer them now as who knows what spring will bring. Hopefully calm!

The JD near us doesn't give a grade, just says it is on potential and attitude, really helpful! They do audition and interview.

@horseymum Eek! Hopefully others with DCs there can advise on the generally standard?

I have one at a JD who was same age as yours when she auditioned and had taken her G5 with distinction the year before - I would say at the time of the audition she was playing at around a G6 standard and on second instrument about g3/4 - but hadn't taken any exams on that. She was accepted for all the JDs she applied for so I think when they say G5 distinction minimum that's fair for those at the younger end. I expect the expected standard is higher if they audition a year later etc. Its definitely true that they are looking for musicality and potential first and foremost. They know that once a child starts with them, they can get them improving fast so the main thing they are going for is the potential.

@WordsandMusic2020 DS loves it, he started it there last September when he was 8. He used to have ensemble, one2one lesson, choir and Dalcroze last year, but this year all the lessons are on line (no choir) with occasional trips to Kensington for chamber music days.

DS is at JD, but not a London one. He started at 16. He loved but unfortunately, like most other things, it is completely virtual this year.