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Extra-curricular activities

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Summer 21 music thread

183 replies

squintsoftheworldunite · 25/06/2021 07:49

Hello peeps....

Decided (on a grey, drizzly late June morning!) that it was time for some summer music thread fun....!

My DC is coming to the end of a first term at specialist school, just had first public concert and was reminded of the absolute joy of public performance. We got a couple of exams out of the way before the new beginning, a theory exam coming up this summer but that's all. Some exciting summer music, including a solo performance at a "grown up" concert and some music courses to keep said offspring busy. Excited to see NCO auditions return, even if they're recorded only... Hoping for actual courses next year!

Thanks to those who paved the way in times gone by with the music threads!

OP posts:
horseymum · 25/06/2021 19:32

Ooh, shiny new thread! Let this be filled with live music! My DC's did their first live performance since covid started last week when they did some chamber music for us and grandparents. Sadly their Nyos courses will be online but hopefully regional things will get back in August. No exams planned except trying to persuade youngest to get going with her theory.

polar81 · 25/06/2021 19:48

Fab to see a new thread Smile DD is back to singing (Cathedral Chorister) and had her first socially distanced brass band rehearsal last night which she was absolutely buzzing from.

Notagardener · 27/06/2021 10:02

After a year of Zoom lessons back to real lessons.

thirdfiddle · 27/06/2021 12:07

Thanks squints - British tradition of late and brief summers Smile

Pleased to report i also have live music to join the thread with, DC both had their first concert of the year too at a local church.

It's so good they're back to ensembles now too. It seems weird to say they missed it for mine as DS only had one term before lockdowns happened and DD not much longer. Both of them found it a huge boost first time around and it has been coming back in too, especially as they have progressed technically over the year and can join in more advanced groups. DD in particular is positively bouncing from choir to lesson to orchestra and coming out with more energy than she started with. DS is more staid in his reaction but seeing as he generally requires prising off the sofa the fact he's going at all shows lots of fun being had!

Also trying to get on with theory over the summer. That's not so popular.

LuluKentGirl · 27/06/2021 13:00

we have 2 things coming up in the next fortnight, 7yo DS about to take Grade 3 cello and 9yo DD doing her first live performance on harp at the end of year school speech day! have to figure out how to get the harp to school - it hasn't left the house since we got it in September due to lockdowns etc.

we had good news on Friday, both of them have been accepted into the Junior Trinity strings programme, yay! They are super chuffed and excited. am panicking a bit about the logistics however as their class hours are different (DS 9-12 and DD 11-3pm). anyone else in this boat?

QueenMabby · 27/06/2021 14:06

Thanks for the new thread. Nothing much to report here. DD waiting for theory results but no live concerts for us - only recording, all of which are done.

yodaforpresident · 27/06/2021 20:00

Singing result in today and DD got a distinction - she was quite worried because she had a mind melt over a few of the words in one of the pieces! Just theory result to come in now. So glad to be almost back to normal now - hopefully choirs can resume properly in the autumn.

yodaforpresident · 27/06/2021 20:06

Thank you for the new thread btw 🎼

QueenMabby · 28/06/2021 10:02

Yoda that’s great result for your daughter - well done!

doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/06/2021 10:14

Checking in to say 'hi' and thanks for new thread!! Looking forward to in person concert at DD1's school on Thursday 🥳🎶🎵🎻🎼

yodaforpresident · 28/06/2021 13:32

Thank you @QueenMabby - very relieved. It's been a tough year for everyone with all the online lessons and restricted ensembles etc but hopefully the end is in sight.

squintsoftheworldunite · 28/06/2021 21:28

Ohhh exciting to hear about all the exams, concerts and new starts!! So wonderful to see things firing back up and some bits trickling back

OP posts:
Mendingfences · 29/06/2021 07:31

Thanks for the new thread!
Holidays are in full swing here but the kids are still making music and various duets are going on which is lovely. My youngest has decided to take a break from piano - he was getting frustrated about his hands not being big enough, but I think also he really enjoys ensemble playing, which he gets from his other instruments. I think its the right descision for him, and his keyboard knowledge is a real benefit for music generally.
We are currently having a discussion about what time in the morning it is acceptable to practise when teenagers are still in bed Hmm.... (drums and brass so fairly errm penetrating sound wise) lets just say there are some differences in opinion Grin

Comefromaway · 29/06/2021 08:43

Ds's college has gone back online until the end of term. He's disappointed because although most of his work is complete and they were doing one off workshop type things he had been asked by the musical theatre class to go in and play for their mock audition sessions they were having.

Comefromaway · 29/06/2021 08:45

@Mendingfences

Thanks for the new thread! Holidays are in full swing here but the kids are still making music and various duets are going on which is lovely. My youngest has decided to take a break from piano - he was getting frustrated about his hands not being big enough, but I think also he really enjoys ensemble playing, which he gets from his other instruments. I think its the right descision for him, and his keyboard knowledge is a real benefit for music generally. We are currently having a discussion about what time in the morning it is acceptable to practise when teenagers are still in bed Hmm.... (drums and brass so fairly errm penetrating sound wise) lets just say there are some differences in opinion Grin
9am in the week 10am at weekends I'd say.
Mendingfences · 29/06/2021 15:25

In that case i'll suggest the 15 year old counts her blessings comefromaway 😁 mind you it was a mute point this morning because none of them emerged before 11 ......

Comefromaway · 29/06/2021 19:19

I’ve got three musicians in the house. Our issue is not so much how early someone can start but how late they can continue up to!

Pes0penguin · 02/07/2021 08:59

Hi all! Dd had her last music lesson of the term and recorded a snippet (I think!) with an ensemble - she’s been playing in one for a year but I’ve never seen her perform (obvious reasons…) so am looking forward to when that gets sent out!
She’s doing an orchestra course over summer which (should) have a performance to parents at the end of the week so there’s also that to look forward to.
And she’s decided to try out the trombone next year as well…. What have I let myself in for?!

KittyOSullivanKrauss · 02/07/2021 20:56

Hello and thanks for the new thread. We're waiting for G5 piano performance results here. DS is really enjoying the ensembles and groups he's been part of this term. Sadly I can't watch any performances yet but just to be back doing music in person has done him the world of good 😊

QueenMabby · 10/07/2021 18:05

Hi all - can anyone advise how long it takes to get theory results back? It’s been 4 weeks (today) for dd but it’s still showing as pending when she logs into her account on ABRSM. She’s chomping at the bit to know her result!
Thanks.

Purpletomato · 10/07/2021 23:35

Ours appeared on the online account at exactly 4 weeks, in the afternoon. Maybe as it's the weekend, it won't show til Monday? I think it appears first in the account of the person who entered her rather than her own account.

yodaforpresident · 11/07/2021 07:47

Hopefully it’s Monday @QueenMabby. Day 19 of the music theory wait here 😬

Madcats · 11/07/2021 12:04

Your kids are allowed orchestra?! The closest we've got to that is year group bubbles of woodwind (all sat some distance apart).

Singing too?

I suppose on the plus side there have only been two kids test positive for Covid this year, and a handful self isolating.

Pes0penguin · 11/07/2021 12:42

Madcats - we had year group bubbles of orchestra with wide spacing and all doors open - and then had a couple of weeks of year 3 and 4 together but with a plastic divider between the year groups.
She’s doing an orchestra course in summer which will be once restrictions have lifted - and it’s not in school anyway.
Choir has been year group bubbles and outside!
Parents haven’t been allowed to see anything at all - so no performances. But hoping that will change for the summer course.

Pes0penguin · 11/07/2021 12:46

Also realised I’m being a bit misleading saying orchestra for school - it’s really just the string section!