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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

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.

OP posts:
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Worriedmum42 · 14/03/2023 07:06

Thanks - grade 5 she did ABRSM and then hers was picked for auditing so took a couple of weeks.

minisnowballs · 14/03/2023 10:14

Good luck to her! everyone says trinity is really quick so hopefully you'll know in no time.

Our news is that DD2 has finally decided that she will take her place at specialist music school in September (cue repicking all of her GCSES and lots of soul-searching from us about how we're going to cope without her). She's so much more relaxed now she's made the decision -here's hoping it's the right one for her.

horseymum · 14/03/2023 10:21

How exciting @minisnowballs what a big change to family life. I'm sure she'll have a great time.

When we changed teachers for middle DD it was easy as she was going to JD. For youngest DD, I'd like to change one teacher but it's a bit difficult as it's a friend. This teacher is great for ds, but doesn't really push DD. She is thinking about moving house will will provide a natural break. I think you just need to say that you want to try a different approach or similar. They won't be offended.

Siriusmuggle · 14/03/2023 10:26

That’s great news @minisnowballs I’m sure she’ll love it.

Comefromaway · 14/03/2023 11:36

Best of luck to her minisnowballs

yodaforpresident · 14/03/2023 12:25

Well done to your DD @minisnowballs, that sounds amazing.

SweetforOrchestra · 14/03/2023 13:13

Well done @minisnowballs! very exciting for your DD. I have lots of friends who went to specialist music school and they all had an absolute blast.

How old is she? I can totally imagine the apprehension on your part too - big change for everyone!

My little one is still enjoying piano lessons from me. We’ve started doing practice in the morning rather than evening as he’s much less tired. What time do others fit in their practice? He’s still only 4 so not able to do it by himself yet.

horseymum · 14/03/2023 13:17

@SweetforOrchestra well done teaching your own, mine never listen to me! At primary, always one practice before school, once they started another instrument, other one before tea. At secondary, I let them choose, with a wee reminder eg you've got time before tea/swimming/bed etc.

SweetforOrchestra · 14/03/2023 13:45

@horseymum it’s a temporary measure until we get him a teacher - can completely see the benefits of a third party!

That’s good to know re practice. We both work full time so I was wondering how it would work when both kids are learning instrument(s) as atm it’s hard enough fitting in one for one child!

minisnowballs · 14/03/2023 15:11

Thanks all. @SweetforOrchestra she's 13 (will be 14 when she goes) - yes, a big change. She has a very nice life here in London with us, but i think we all know that if she wants to pursue this stuff - even for a few years - she needs a bit (a lot) more help than we can give.

We've done our best to choose the one that won't narrow her options too much and that seems to fit her character best... now we just have to see what happens.

In terms of music practice, she always does some in the am before school and some the pm - but at 4 I think he'll just be knackered after school won't he? Great that he's happy for Mum to teach him!

georgedawes · 14/03/2023 18:53

How amazing minisnowballs! Will she stay at home? My DD is talking about it too, but we don't fully understand what it'll be like or if the right thing for her. What a fantastic opportunity, you must be so proud!

We always found morning practice a good shout, although never seems to happen these days now the teenage years are approaching!!!

minisnowballs · 14/03/2023 19:13

Sadly not @georgedawes - it's a very long way away and Saturday school is required as part of it - she'll be home every three weekends or so - though some of the other schools are weekly boarding (and much closer, but typically that wasn't what she wanted).

If yours is interested there are open days etc at all of them where you can learn all about it - but beware, it is a slippery slope - we only went to find out what opportunities there might be for Sixth Form and now look...

georgedawes · 14/03/2023 19:40

I completely understand! The one nearest to us is within travelling distance, but I suspect it would be hard to do each day with all of the additional concerts and so on. I completely understand about the slippery slope...we've been to one instrument day only, and it's now firmly on DD's radar!!

Worriedmum42 · 14/03/2023 20:08

minisnowballs · 14/03/2023 10:14

Good luck to her! everyone says trinity is really quick so hopefully you'll know in no time.

Our news is that DD2 has finally decided that she will take her place at specialist music school in September (cue repicking all of her GCSES and lots of soul-searching from us about how we're going to cope without her). She's so much more relaxed now she's made the decision -here's hoping it's the right one for her.

Thanks
She was the last exam of the day and got her results there and then!
Very pleased and her hard work paid off with a distinction!

minisnowballs · 14/03/2023 20:21

That’s brilliant news @Worriedmum42 - congrats to her!

georgedawes · 14/03/2023 21:16

Brill news worriedmum!!

LuluKentGirl · 15/03/2023 13:02

that's fabulous, congrats! DD has her g7 violin with Trinity on Sunday, we are both desperate for it to be done and out of the way - at least (for me) until next term when DS has his g7!

Comefromaway · 15/03/2023 13:13

Good news for ds. He has been offered a place on the NYMT Creative Mentoring scheme as Assistant MD for one of their shows in the summer.

QueenMabby · 15/03/2023 16:14

Eek @minisnowballs - how very exciting for mini-mini! Hope there's not too long a list of things she needs. The Enid blyton in me wants to know if she gets a tuck box!

We are blissfully exam free this term (musically anyway. Dd still has two graded dance exams to do!).

There have been a couple of fantastic concerts recently with dd getting to play a rather lovely Steinway model D concert grand which sounded beautiful.

minisnowballs · 15/03/2023 16:16

Great news @Comefromaway - he must be really pleased.

@QueenMabby i suspect no tuckbox, alas...I think it's less midnight feasts and more early morning practice. Still, it will be something quite, quite new to us all - so that's exciting.

georgedawes · 15/03/2023 16:36

How lovely comefeomaway!

QueenMabby · 15/03/2023 17:24

@Comefromaway - what a fab opportunity for ds. Well done!

georgedawes · 16/03/2023 07:45

Just wanted to say thank you to Pollyanna for recommending emailing NYO about 12 year old DD, she's been given a place on an inspire day next month 😁 she's so excited!!

SweetforOrchestra · 16/03/2023 09:02

Ah @georgedawes that’s so lovely. I had such an amazing time when I did NYO and still in touch with so many friends from those days. Hope your DD enjoys the inspire day!

@minisnowballs think I know which school you mean - will be fantastic.

Congrats @Comefromaway!

horseymum · 16/03/2023 10:48

Congratulations to @Comefromaway great opportunity.
@georgedawes my DD just did an inspire day and loved it, hopefully youngest will do one at some point too
@QueenMabby we have a festival class at the weekend and youngest has just realised she'll be playing a grand piano which she has never done, so is excited about that. She's also excited her teacher is hoping to let her play her contra bassoon now they are both cold/bug free!