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Extra-curricular activities

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Spring 23 music thread

970 replies

thirdfiddle · 09/01/2023 16:50

I saw some sunshine today so it's officially spring! Here's a new thread for all things musical.

With a nod to those who started the series, well before my young folk picked up an instrument or I braved the vipers of MN. This little corner is for support only, and bragging about your young folk's musical achievements is positively encouraged.

How are things looking for new year? Anyone new want to join us for a chat? Any lurkers want to delurk? All welcome from pre beginners to music college and beyond.

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horseymum · 09/01/2023 18:33

Ooh, new thread. This is literally the friendliest thread on Mumsnet, don't be shy, everyone's welcome. There are no daft questions. All our kids started at the start and go in all directions with their music. We have lots of fun things planned this year, looking forward to it. Most nerve wracking is sending DD from Scotland to Blackpool on her own to an NYO inspire course.

yodaforpresident · 09/01/2023 18:41

Thank you for the new thread @thirdfiddle. Very much looking forward to the new term here DD(11) started picking her G7 singing pieces today and is looking at her first Italian song which is exciting. We’ve got a G4 clarinet and G5 cello exam hopefully this term - definitely more enthusiastic about one of those!

Comefromaway · 09/01/2023 19:24

Thank you for the new thread.

Ds went back to conservatoire yesterday and is already over-commuting himself. He has exams and assessments this week and next but is rehearsing for a cabaret next week (with musicians in higher years which is good for him) & as well as the musical he was asked to play for he has now been asked to play for another. Somewhere along the line he also needs to record his NYMT audition.

I will see him briefly at the weekend again as his band is gigging.

Comefromaway · 09/01/2023 19:25

I’m on tenterhooks as remember this time last year he over-committed himself and it all got very stressful.

QueenMabby · 09/01/2023 19:26

Woohoo! New thread! Thanks @thirdfiddle.

No exams this term I don't think. Lots of performances though.

@herbaceous - dd will take g8 performance next although maybe next year. Her music teacher says that it's definitely not the easy option and that for most dc it actually tests what they do most which is performing! She teaches dd all the scales/aural/sight reading anyway but I have to say it is nice not to have to be tested on it!

minisnowballs · 09/01/2023 21:49

Happy new year all! I think dd2 would prefer a performance option but it is never discussed by her teachers. She really hates the aural…. But it doesn’t sound like an easy option at g8 to me- those pieces are so long…

not much going on here- dd2 has changed flute teachers - which may delay her grade 8 from this term to next- so we’re trying to work out whether she takes grade 7 bassoon first or whether she can persuade new flute teacher she is ready (her preference). She is quite determined so we will see. Dd1 has a viola of her very own for the first time and is therefore feeling more motivated than she has been for a while - so that’s nice.

minisnowballs · 09/01/2023 21:51

Oo and @horseymum we are sending dd2 to Blackpool on her own too(from London) -I’m terrified but the cost of taking her would be prohibitive- hoping she can find some other Londoners she can travel with- at 13 I think she’ll be one of the youngest…

horseymum · 10/01/2023 08:39

I'm glad I'm not the only one sending a child on their own. I think some of my friends were a bit horrified but then they were when DD starting going to JD in the next city on her own at 14 ( 30 minutes on the train, 3 minutes walk to JD!). The travel form looks like it's set up for independent travel. DD is 15 so a bit older. Our ticket was so cheap, its more a time thing. Dad will collect her so it's only one way. I've asked them to let me know if anyone else is doing the same journey, I don't know if they will.

minisnowballs · 10/01/2023 10:00

@horseymum We got an email asking if our dd would be going by train so they could link up others - so I suspect they will do this. DD is very streetwise (apparently, according to her friends' parents) and has done train plus taxi to residentials before - and has been going to Saturday School on her own (at least occasionally) since 11 - 30 mins on train or bus and a walk. I'm more worried about strikes to be honest - but sure they'll all be fine!

LuluKentGirl · 10/01/2023 15:00

happy new year all!

academic assessments are behind us now, so it's nice to focus again on musical things. DD (10) still waiting for the result of her music schol audition to Big Secondary School (results next month). working towards g7 violin and g4 harp - am trying to gently manoeuvre her teachers so she doesn't do both exams in the same sitting, which is always such a car-crash of stress.

having suggested to DS's (9) cello teacher that he go a bit more slowly after last year's somewhat rocky (scraped merit) g5 experience, he's just landed my son with a g8-level piece to prepare which is challenging to say the least, and suggested skipping g6 and doing g7 in the summer. cue a spat between DS and DD about who will get to g7 first....but generally the cello rollercoaster continues, one day he loves it and the next hates it, and practice is always high-emotion and drama. sigh!

BartokRules · 10/01/2023 21:21

I've been here forever but not posted for a long time.

I teach singing and violin and have 40 exam candidates this term!

Siriusmuggle · 11/01/2023 07:09

Mine has just gone back for his second term at conservatoire. He’s handed some work in, hopefully he’ll pass it as he needs to pass every course. Performance wise he’s in the orchestra for another opera this term and there’ll be more stuff too.

minisnowballs · 12/01/2023 17:06

Sounds like he's keeping busy @Siriusmuggle - does he like playing for opera?

@LuluKentGirl I hear you on the sibling/music thing- though DD1 has thankfully no desire to compete on the music front nowadays and has stopped doing exams. She's come back buzzing from the new school folk group though, which DD2 has NO desire to attend. I'm so glad they like different things.

DD2 has the part she wanted in the school musical (she's year 9 in a massive comprehensive, so that's no mean feat - she'll play Miss Honey in Matilda).
First post-covid production the school has had so much excitement.

Tartifletti · 12/01/2023 17:10

@LuluKentGirl may I ask, how old were your kids when they started learning their instruments?

Siriusmuggle · 12/01/2023 17:14

@minisnowballs it was 8 performances, he really enjoyed it. He’s in another one soon- the conservatoire seem to put on one a term.

LuluKentGirl · 13/01/2023 08:51

Tartifletti · 12/01/2023 17:10

@LuluKentGirl may I ask, how old were your kids when they started learning their instruments?

@Tartifletti DS was 6 when he started cello, in early 2020. he only managed a few weeks of lessons before lockdown. but that ultimately served to help as i was able to support him at home, and we had not much else to do. similar story with DD albeit slightly more convoluted as she started age 5 then was delayed for a year by a broken shoulder. she did her g1 just before Covid then jumped to g4.

horseymum · 13/01/2023 09:53

@Siriusmuggle it sounds like he's having fun. Dds teacher plays for opera/ ballet and enjoys it but hard work travelling when the show moves.

horseymum · 13/01/2023 09:56

Thankfully all my DC's are carving their own furrow musically, and while the girls do both play double reeds, there isn't any competition ( apart from who can play the longest 'crowed note' on a reed!)

minisnowballs · 13/01/2023 15:16

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Tartifletti · 13/01/2023 15:40

@LuluKentGirl thank you, very interesting. Clearly impressive kids!

DD (year 1) started piano last term and is super keen! I need to sort out a proper weighted keyboard for her as she's currently practising on my Casio from the 1990s. In fact it's making me think I should learn properly too.

horseymum · 13/01/2023 17:01

@minisnowballs I would send a pm but can't work out how to on the app! Then if I go to the website it forces me back to the app!! Anyway, she's going to the first one, and I was delighted to spot that two folk she knows from JD are there as NYO musicians so two friendly faces at least! I also spotted the low numbers of bassoons, youngest DD might manage this another time, she's not up to independent travel yet though, especially not with a bassoon!!

minisnowballs · 13/01/2023 17:23

@horseymum Oh how annoying. Sounds like they'll be there together - DD2 is on that one too - I'll pm you her name if you ever manage to find that bit. I've spotted one boy from her Saturday school who is much older but she won't know anyone else! Exciting though.

northerngoldilocks · 13/01/2023 22:59

@Tartifletti also look for touch sensitive as well as weighted keys so that the dynamics are effective. It doesn't have to cost a lot but maybe ask the teacher for guidance if not sure.

Friends of mine bought the Casio- think it's the px760 but there are probably others on this thread with better knowledge of digital pianos. I looked at loads but ended up with an upright with silent feature too, but I also play so wasn't spending thousands on something for a beginner. It's well used in our house (though not by me!)

Tartifletti · 14/01/2023 19:27

@northerngoldilocks thank you! I'd love to get a piano but we don't have room. My aunt has a weighted keyboard we can borrow, so that will hopefully help us investigate what will work. I think DD might miss the 'space wars' sound effect on my Casio dinosaur, though! Currently the teacher and I tag team - I help her learn the pieces and then they work on the dynamics in the lesson, but I think this arrangement has a shelf life.

northerngoldilocks · 14/01/2023 19:34

Is it the space for 88 keys you don't have or for an upright piano? Digital pianos take up way less space than uprights but to learn piano you really do need all the keys quite quickly but you absolutely don't need an upright.

Also whatever you get you end up thinking 'wouldn't it be nice if we could have a nicer upright / baby grand/ Steinway etc so just having something to start off is probably a good plan and then if she takes to it you can upgrade later. One of the reasons I didn't let mine have a digital piano was I couldn't stand the faffing about with different sound effects 😂