Spring 21 virtual music thread

[thirdfiddle]

New year, new lockdown, new virtual ensembles and digital exams - welcome to a new, virtual, all digital, socially distanced music thread.

This is a continuation of a very long running and friendly series of threads, dating from long before my time, and anyone with music learning kids from pre beginner to music college is welcome to jump in at any point. Thank you to our esteemed founder and to all the lovely knowledgeable folk who chip in.

PS success stories welcome too, we like a cheery post. Never mind the stealth boasting here, just boast, your kids earned it.

Thanks- that’s the issue with hers. I feel like it is difficult for her to play and doesn’t have a good sound. She will have been playing for 2 years so I’m happy to replace it really. It seems like wood may not be the best option though. My budget would be up to £400 for it to take her through to G6 level or thereabouts..

Hello, my DD1 is Year 7 at RAM Primary and she is auditioning RCM, RAM and Guidhall Junior this year.
At the last term, she could go to RAM only once a month. I am wondering how other London JDs worked during the last term. Were there in person lesson every week or just a month like RAM?

No in-person lessons at all at Junior Guildhall

They had some half day sessions arranged for the main bands / orchestras, but most had to be cancelled because of the various lockdowns.

Sad but it was the right thing to do.

@Trumpetdad Thank you very much for your comment. It’s right but sad... Do you have online lessons and do you get any fee discount because of the cancellation? At Primary Academy, main orchestra was cancelled too but they still teach ensembles. I appreciate they are trying hard to work hard to provide online lessons as much as possible but what we can do via online is limited. I hope we can have better summer term.

@teachocolate Yes - all lessons online including for orchestras, ensembles and chamber groups.

I understand choirs have been the hardest hit in terms of online provision. The orchestras/ensembles have sort of worked out, though obviously not the same as playing together. They’ve also kept the performance assessments going, with piano accompaniment pre-recorded.

Fees discounted by 10% if they were unable to provide any onsite activity. In theory, those who were able to go in had a slightly higher fee. They are still having to pay for buildings and staff, so I understand their challenges.

@Trumpetdad Thank you very much for the detailed information. That’s interesting. Orchestra was cancelled at Primary Academy but it seems choir works well.

Anyway I am glad to hear that Junior Guildhall works well during the lockdown.

We are also applying for JD just now, mainly for the ensemble opportunities so will be gutted if it's online next year. However, at the open day, it seems they have managed it quite well, not sure if there was a fee reduction.

@horseymum I am glad to hear from other parent whose DC is applying for JD this year. Some of DD’s friends left JD after COVID. I am glad that Primary Academy manages online lessons well and they are very supportive but of course online lessons cannot be compared with in person ones. I was thinking to wait for another year to audition but DD strongly wishes to continue JD, so we are applying. I really hope we can return in person lessons every week from September.

Hello all! @teachocolate @horseymum we are also applying to JD this year. Currently in audition video hell, but maybe getting there! Anyone know when the cut off date for RWCMD is? I've lost my notes and can't remember... going to have to ring them back and fess up, aren't I... (notes online say September which can't be right!)

We’re in piano performance exam recording week. From a previous posters advice I’ve got DD recording at least one a day then she can pick which one to submit tomorrow. I thought the performance exam would be easier but DD is being such a perfectionist nothing appears good enough. It’s her second instrument so there is no pressure just what she puts on herself. Will be glad when it’s submitted.

We are just going to be entering an usually busy ( for covid!) week where between 3 DC's we have 3 festival recordings, one grade 6 piano performance and one JD audition to video! Thankfully there is overlap and we can use some of the same pieces. We got our dates for submission in an email when we applied, maybe you can find that ( even if deleted?). Just got the copy of dds reference from her teacher and its lovely, we've never had a written report as he is a private teacher and in normal times I see him every week. We'll be sad to lose him for her teacher if she gets in. If she doesn't, we'll probably need a new teacher anyway as he isn't a specialist in her instrument and had recommended a change now anyway.

DDs piano performance exam submitted. Managed to do it all from my iPad so actually was easier than expected.

Any idea from the Boris announcement what this means for music lessons? I’m assuming if they are in school they will be face to face but not sure about outside school.

Well done Paddington, we've done the first video of five for JD audition ( 2 pieces on first study, one on second, scales and interview, all separate. Thankfully they are separate as it means we can redo bits. First go did not go well, it's going to be a long week!!

Bassoon players! The Scottish Chamber Orchestra still had space for bassoon players in their online academy. It's free. They're looking for grade 6+ standard.

www.sco.org.uk/join-in/ensembles/sco-youth-academies/wind-and-brass-academy?fbclid=IwAR3XvCAsT8PkMnUIEbOrmmoYFLLxPthCDl6l3MaFXdOIAUISMeNaRu97v5A

Thanks chocomel

Hi words, no it's not RAM here (I always laugh at posters who say something is outing but this might be as it's a small music world in Scotland) She's applying to the RCS (Glasgow) We just redid the scales video after comments from teacher, it really is going to be a long week!!

Statement from Nicola sturgeon suggests we'll be back to tier three by end of April, tier 3 we were allowed in person lessons at home so hopeful for that!

It's definitely more stressful doing videos, just listening to the first attempt at the piano exam run through and she's restarted three times already, makes it harder as they haven't had a face to face lesson in a year, bar about two in December I think.

Yes, I guess we just have to remember that everyone is in the same boat (no live lessons, terrible recording equipment, none of the good adrenaline of a live performance / audition and yet all of the stress of the recording...) We haven't managed a recording yet where you can hear a single change in dynamics...

Hi all, thank goodness I'm not the only one going through the audition video nightmare. My Ds is 14 and auditioning for a London JD. He's a violinist. He did his grade 7 exam virtually last year and it was horrendously stressful and he said he'd never do anything like that again and now lo and behold here we are having to submit another bloody video 😩🔫. Practice did not go well yesterday so fingers crossed it goes better tonight. Hoping to record on Friday for submission next week. Hang on in there everyone!!

It's the interview bit which is most worrying, she has to talk about why she wants to go there - cos I like music; what she likes about her instrument- the sound and her experiences- online videos mostly! Give me strength!! She is actually really passionate, just doesn't come across like it.
We have also realised our piano stool is incredibly squeaky so need to sort that.
I'm just hoping that they can't tell one squwaky woodwind from another on video and just let them all in!! We've had teenage tears both sessions so really looking forward to tonight! Also we haven't told anyone in RL as it feels like too much pressure on her if people ask. Only her head of music and both teachers.

Good luck all auditioning - it sounds thoroughly hideous. We hate doing recordings here. DD2 has to play in a concert with her saturday school this weekend and is refusing to play with the recorded accompaniment

• so she'll be doing a study then... I shall be so glad to leave virtual lessons behind us one day

horseymum - if it's any consolation with the interview, DD1 auditioned (late) in summer for her Centre for Advanced Training and informed the head of strings that she hated going to concerts. When I asked her why she had said this she said 'if they don't want me the way i am, they shouldn't take me'...
They still offered her a place....Teens.! (well, she was only 12 then but it's more the attitude...)