Summer 21 music thread

[squintsoftheworldunite]

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!

We've had socially distanced orchestras (kids and me!), it's been so nice. Out of school groups though, school didn't have any to start with.

We have had bubble orchestra (one and then two year groups) with all instruments there and also bubble choirs at school.

We’ve had a year group bubble orchestra at school too although mixed year group choir for the last couple of months 🤷🏼‍♀️

Just had a text from DD’s piano teacher - g5 theory passed with distinction! Very happy dd despite our ABRSM login still showing it as “pending”. 🙄

Well done Queenmabby’s DD! Brilliant achievement!

Congrats to young Princess Mabby

Well done to your DD @QueenMabby

Congrats to mini mabby

Congratulations to QueenMabby's DD ⭐️! We're awaiting the G5 piano performance result here. It's 'pending' 😐.

DS's school orchestra has only been back in person this half term and has been in a year group bubble. His weekend ensemble works along the same rules for other indoor children's activities with bubbles and no parents allowed in etc.

Well done Mabby with dds theory, it's a weight off once that is done. We didn't have any orchestra or band here, hoping things start back after summer. Am actually now glad orchestra course is online as DD wouldn't be able to go as ds just tested positive. At least DD gets something out of it.

Well done minimabby! Amazing stuff.

When my dd passed theory she then informed me she was never doing THAT again, so is deeply unimpressed to find herself deep into sight-reading the tenor clef for bassoon this week...Hm, dd2, it is almost like there is a point to learning this stuff.

horsey I hope DS is OK? I'm praying dd2 gets to the end of the week as she has an in-person cello exam Saturday. She's only just gone back in but Covid is absolutely ripping through her school. Her elder sister is one of three in many classes because I kept her off with supposed symptoms last week and she then tested negative, so missed lots of 'close contact' cases.

What an end to the term!

Thanks all. She is very glad it’s done and a bit like your dd minisnowballs I’m not sure she understands the point of it all really.
Our school broke up this past Friday but it was a miracle we got there tbh. At one point in the last fortnight there were only 2 year groups in!
I just need to keep encouraging her to practice over the summer without “nagging”. She’s aiming to take her g4 cello at Christmas I think and then g6 piano maybe Easter? So she does need to keep on top of her playing as she wants to do well - half the problem really!!

Yes, we will have a similar problem - a grade 7 next term, which she will forget the scales for if she doesn't practice will hopefully scare her enough for one instrument - and she has an orchestra course on that one. Not sure on the others - teacher on one likes to put in some holiday lessons, but not sure dd2 that keen!

DDs first live performance to an audience tonight, and her school bubble has burst so she is in isolation (again) 🤦‍♀️... however she is booked on to 3 day strings residential in the summer that she cant wait for... she's never been on any music courses before and decided to throw herself in head first 😂

Post covid live performance that is !

Merit for 7yo DS for G3 cello. he is happy and relieved, as am I, given the short timescale for prep and practice. last lesson with his lovely teacher this week - all change from September. onwards!

Well done to mini lulu 🙂

Glad she got a performance in pre isolation at least didiplanthis! DD in similar situation, she got two performances but had to miss the final one - and we were going to go to a pro concert too which we will have to miss. Hobbling on to end of term with DS as long as DD continues to test negative. Fingers crossed they all remain healthy and frustration at staying home is the worst of it.
Well done lulu's DS!

Well done Lulu's DS! DD2 G4 cello exam done (phew!)... was convinced that wasn't going to happen. Onwards and upwards...three more days of school!

Well done minilulu! My dd missed her g3 cello - it was supposed to be the Friday they shut the schools in March last year - she’s not going back to it though! G4 at Christmas I think. Performance grade. No clue what it’ll all look like by the end of the year.
Glad your dd2 got hers done minisnowballs.

Morning all,
I’m after some violin string advice. I’m getting my daughter her full sized violin soon and I would like to upgrade the string from the standard set. My options are Thomastik Alphayue strings, Pirastro Tonica strings or Thomastik Dominant strings. A good sound is really Important to her as she gets quite frustrated that there is such a huge difference between her teachers violin and her current one!

My daughter had both dominant and tonica on her 3/4 size. I think she marginally prefered the tonica but both were solid. I dont think she ever tried alphayue. I think any string upgrade will improve sound.

Quickest ABRSM results ever there - a 125 merit for cello. Pretty much what she predicted, and her teacher is pleased - so so am I!

Anyone else waiting for theory results due today?

Congratulations minisnowballs DD! It’s great the results come back so quickly now.

Pinot DD has Dominant ones on her full size if that helps. Sound is such a personal choice.

Ooh hello. Can I join?

We have ridiculously musical son, and while never have to push him or even tell him to do practice, want to make the most of his talents! He is very 'whatever', and wants to be a physicist. Or prime minster.

He's 12 (just), and a cathedral chorister. And two weeks ago passed his grade 5 singing with not just a distinction, but full makes. 150 out of 150. He got an extra helping of ice cream for that.

He also plays piano. Started less than three years ago, and is working towards grade 7. Has yet to take his g5 theory though, as the school is super-sluggish - so may try to do it online. Anyone experience of this?

And he plays French Horn. Grade 3 just passed, with distinction, but the thing that really gets him going is ensemble playing, which thank the lord is getting going again.

Next step on the road is securing a musical scholarship for posh school. We can't afford it otherwise!