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Original poster

Autumn 21 music thread

334 replies

thirdfiddle · 18/09/2021 11:44

Well, we started the summer thread on a rainy day so how about an autumn thread on a sunny day?
Welcome all parents of musical young people, from total beginners to total professionals. Please come and chat in one of the friendliest and most helpful corners of MN.
What's new this term?

OP posts:
minisnowballs · 22/12/2021 08:55

Just got DD2s Grade 7 results back. She passed - but I think at 116 that is a bit of a wake up call for a child who has done an absolute maximum of 15 minutes practice a day, four days a week for two terms on it. Aural a total mess, pieces, scales and sightreading variously high pass or merit.

She's pleased to have it done, but I'm hoping it will persuade her to take some time and mature a bit before Grade 8 (she's 12). We're in no hurry here and she's lacks the maturity to work harder.

On the plus side though, got to watch her AMAZING concert with her holiday orchestra last night. They played their hearts out and I'm so glad it went ahead. Makes me laugh to see her swapping between flute and piccolo all evening - she's normally really clumsy but never misses a beat, even when turning pages too.

Newgirls · 22/12/2021 09:01

Well done to minishowballs dd! How long did it take to get results? Waiting here

minisnowballs · 22/12/2021 09:06

Took it last Tuesday - but her music centre had to 'release' the results so I don't know when it actually came in. Good luck to yours, @newgirls, what are you waiting on?

Newgirls · 22/12/2021 09:08

Wow that’s quick. A string instrument via a music school so might appear. Though they have a reputation as a bit chaotic so we shall see. Don’t want to be too outing!

minisnowballs · 22/12/2021 09:24

Fingers crossed!

languagelover96 · 22/12/2021 09:28

@minisnowballs

Fingers crossed!
Good luck
Siriusmuggle · 22/12/2021 10:15

Mine now has 5 conservatoire offers, 3 of them include scholarships. He’s down to a shortlist of two but it’s really hard to decide between them.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 22/12/2021 10:21

Congratulations minisnowballsDD! Sounds like the perfect wake up call - she still passed, any sort of grade 7 at 12 is still impressive, and it's only grade 7 so she can aim to replace it with a better g8 mark in due course.

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 22/12/2021 10:26

And fab news siriusmuggle! Good luck with decision making.

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minisnowballs · 22/12/2021 10:44

Yes, fab news siriusmuggle - congrats. thirdfiddle, she's already planning how to give more time to flute practice - and I'm sure doing things like national youth choir and nco projects this year (even though on bassoon) will help her aural tests etc. So yes, a good outcome in that sense.

Newgirls · 22/12/2021 13:01

@Siriusmuggle

Mine now has 5 conservatoire offers, 3 of them include scholarships. He’s down to a shortlist of two but it’s really hard to decide between them.
Wow what a great position to be in!
horseymum · 23/12/2021 08:46

Brilliant news Sirius, nice problem to have, making a choice.

Siriusmuggle · 23/12/2021 10:03

The choice is so difficult. Now got 6 offers and 4 scholarships. We’re going to have to spend the Xmas holidays scrutinising course content etc. how on earth do you choose?

northerngoldilocks · 23/12/2021 10:52

Lovely to hear about all the Christmas music that's managing to go ahead. One of the youth orchestras I had booked for both mine has cancelled between Xmas and NY so sadly no orchestra for DS.

DD went to a different orchestra this week for the first time and absolutely loved it. She gets really nervous playing in front of people so hoping lots of experience will help her manage it. She says that it's the fact that 'people are looking at her' that's the issue so maybe orchestra will help as for violins there is safety in numbers, although she was 1st desk of the 2nd violins so pretty visible at this one (apart from for me as the conductor was inbetween me and her!)

northerngoldilocks · 23/12/2021 10:58

@Siriusmuggle wow- well done to your DS. It's so hard to choose anything like that. I guess a ranking that includes financial assistance offered , how 'renown' the course is, what people have done after it, who teachers etc. then it fundamentally comes down to a 'gut feeling'.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 23/12/2021 11:50

12 days of Christmas. Again. This year in the DD improvised not quite sure what the harmonies are but there should definitely be lots of twiddles edition.

Congrats again siriusmuggle! Does he know anything about the teachers he might have at the favourite options?

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 23/12/2021 11:56

northern, DD has been like that, she is happier playing with a group even if it's a string quartet so she's not exactly hidden. Though interestingly was quite calm about her exam this term, so I don't know if that doesn’t count as an audience or if she's growing out of the nerves a bit.

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Itismeman · 23/12/2021 15:06

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northerngoldilocks · 23/12/2021 19:53

That's great news @thirdfiddle - how old is she? DD is 8 so hoping she grows in confidence as she gets older as she's a good player for her age.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 23/12/2021 20:39

She's 9 northerngoldilocks. As I say we'll see if it transfers to audiences of more than 1! Nothing wrong with being an ensemble player mind you, I think that's the best fun too.

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 30/12/2021 17:51

Happy Christmas and happy nearly new year to the nicest corner of Mumsnet Xmas SmileCake
Now fingers crossed for new term being able to restart safely.

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Mendingfences · 30/12/2021 18:06

Thanks thirdfiddle
I hope the new term brings new musical opportunities for all. Now do i dare try and book a musical summer course?

Siriusmuggle · 30/12/2021 18:22

@thirdfiddle one of them would be his current tutor who he gets on very well with. The other would be someone well known too (I can’t remember who though).

northerngoldilocks · 30/12/2021 20:10

I'd definitely be booking the summer courses, just checking what the policy is if they have to cancel first

Notagardener · 30/12/2021 22:41

Dreading the online lessons, although I suspect for one of her instruments DC will just have (another) pause