Spring 23 music thread

[thirdfiddle]

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.

Hi @unlikelychump - parent of a 12 and 10 year old here - both of whom learn piano.

Does your DD actually hate playing or is she just not keen on practice? If you suggested she quit what would she say? My eldest has on occasions in the past said maybe he'd stop playing (usually when I suggested he should practice) but when asked if he wanted to the answer was always no. If she genuinely hates it then letting her stop sounds like a no brainier. If however she enjoys playing but hates the dull music she's being given that's different and can make suggestions as to what might be more fun.

Is there another instrument she wants to play instead? State school music provision is hugely varied. Class music in year 7 will feel basic even to reasonably beginner pianists and ensembles don't tend to be for pianists.

I also watched the NYO prom on TV and thought it was brilliant, these kids are just amazing.

unlikelychump, I'm inclined to be with northern in thinking starting secondary is a good time to ditch hobbies that aren't working and try something new.

If you really can't get round it... well, secondary schools generally have some kind of peripatetic music teaching, and piano is one of the most popular, so yes very likely you can find a teacher. It may be worth trying with a new teacher to see if they're more fun. And maybe try to find out approach to exams up front. DS likes piano much better since he moved to a teacher who doesn't make him do exams and does let him choose more of his music. Another child we know switched to doing rock school exams. So there are options while still being 'piano lessons'.
But really, might it not be better to try something completely different? Much of the learning from piano will transfer to any instrument. And of course also likely to be a wide range of sports/art/drama/debating etc to try.

In terms of encouraging her to play - what music does she like to listen to? Or films/tv she likes? At grade 2ish you might be able to find simple arrangements of tunes she knows, that's always a good hook in. But even better if that's something teacher is willing to run with in lessons.

Piano can be quite solitary so she might enjoy swapping to something else - trumpet or clarinet can do wind band, orchestra, jazz, violin could do fiddle group, orchestra. What kind of music does she like? No music learning is wasted and her previous piano playing will help her get a good start on anything else. Some people take a while to find the right instrument.

Thanks for such helpful responses. This thread has been an eyeopener really as there is so much talk about ensemble music, which I hadn't really thought about. I totally agree that secondary school seems a time to refresh activities which is why I have been thinking about moving on now.

She has been asking to give up for yonks and when I asked her today she was gleeful at the idea of stopping.

We might have a plan forming...

Both of mine play a second instrument that is orchestral to make sure they get the social side too. DS considers his second instrument to be his first now I think.

DD still more piano focussed but also does duets / trios in a group which means that there is a social element but it's not as good as holiday orchestras etc.

She also is self teaching guitar (Taylor swift songs only) so maybe will give her options at secondary re being in a band. Might something like that appeal?

Just catching up..Pollyanna your son was incredible! You must be so, so proud. We were there to watch the prom in person, and the whole orchestra was incredible. It was so inspiring for DD!

We watched the NYO at the proms today too. DS was so excited! If I ever walked away he'd say I missed the best part and kept rewinding it back for me to watch it! He loved the cute flute (I think it's the piccolo that your DS played @Pollyanna8844. Very rarely he even liked the group singing but his favourite was the percussion thing at the end of the group singing - it's a cone/egg shaped thing no idea what it's called though!
It's so inspiring and definitely something we will consider go and watch live in the future!

Getting to feel increasingly like I might need to repurchase a tv license!!

This is the first time for a long time that o felt the tv license was useful!

We have enjoyed watching several of the proms. Dds former teacher is in one of the orchestras so that is always a bit special seeing him too. Quite expensive if that's the only thing you watch all year though! ( but still probably cheaper than tickets to them all!)

Thank you so much for your kind words @Alsoplayspiccolo , @georgedawes and @chickentikkasalad.
@Alsoplayspiccolo DS was so happy to hear that from a professional flute/piccolo player - he was blown away by your comments.

The concert was incredible, the atmosphere in the RAH was electric. I love seeing the beaming smiles of the orchestra as they take in the audience reaction!

@northerngoldilocks DS only took up flute for the social side, but it rapidly overtook piano as his 1st instrument.

DS did the South London Youth Orchestra last week. Did anyone else’s DCs do it? We don’t live in London, but he really wanted to do it because they were doing Mahler 5. He ended up celebrating his GCSE results by performing in the end of course concert, which, for him, was the perfect way to celebrate!

Both mine did SLYO too. We love it (though their enthusiasm is mainly about the food which is apparently great- especially the cookies at afternoon break!) . The courses are great though. My flute playing DS is in SLYO 2 and my violin playing DD in SLYO 3!

@Pollyanna8844 mine has done SLYO in the past - playing flute and bassoon in SLYO 2 (depending on which instrument she gets in on as flute as always over subscribed and bassoon is, er, not). This year they all clashed with other things she was doing though, so she's missed out. But in fact SLYO was where she got to play piccolo for the first time ever which was great. Never reached the dizzy heights of SLYO 1 though.

On the advice of another mumsnetter, I am reposting my question on this thread, as she tells me that this is the place with mums in the know!

My original post:

My son has recently said he'd like to apply to one of these junior departments. He is 13 and about Grade 6 level on the trombone.

I have no knowledge of any of them to be able to support him, so I'm hoping there are people here who might be able to give us a little advice and guidance.

Which of these do you think would be best for Brass and do you think he would have a shot considering his age and level?

We are in NW London, so the easiest to get to would be RAM.

Any other tips or comments would be really appreciated. I'm feeling very clueless!

Thank you in advance

(He now seems to be leaning towards CYM or RCM, but I'm not really sure what he's basing that on as we haven't visited or met teachers yet! I think it's just a feeling.)

That was me with the suggestion- i know there are experts here!

Given it is trombone not trumpet (I have a dd who plays woodwind - one very competitive instrument and a rarer one and the levels to get into things are very different) he may well have a shot anywhere.

as I said on my other thread there are kids at that level at cym at 13 for sure and both lower and higher. The brass teachers there are good and the ensembles are fun and varied. And they will almost certainly take a late application. They aren’t always the most organised but the musical side is great, as is the teen social life.

cym is a broad church- it’s dealt with both my girls - one of whom is grade 6 at 16 and the other grade eight plus in two instruments at 14. If he wants to be a professional he may want to move at some point but it’s not a given.

i reckon try them all for spaces and late auditions (though actually perhaps not trinity so much as I don’t think it’s that different from cym unless you want the gcse music with it- and it is pricier).

And with cym it’s a term’s notice. nothing to stop him trying it out and then moving on next year or before if he then auditions into somewhere else and feels it would be more ‘prestigious’.

I'm not expert either, all I can say is at our JD ( in Scotland) trombone is very much rare so you would have a good chance. They are often looking for potential as well as current ability. The number of others playing the instrument probably has some bearing too. I would go for it and see how he enjoys it.
In fact, if you played tuba you would hauled off the street, I don't think they have any juniors as it always seems to be a senior who plays in concerts!

I'm very much not an expert in the next stage either. Dd will be completing applications for conservatoires by this time next year -if she still wants to go, which is a scary thought. So I'm asking for any advice on conservatoire applications. Also on the specific places recommended by her teacher to look at: Royal Welsh, RCS Glasgow, Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music, London.
Also any recommendations of places for a BA/ BMus that aren't conservatoire but would suit an ambitious player. Am aware a uni will have a very different focus, but want her to explore all the options as her teacher has his own ideas! Particularly interested to know about scholarships for the non Scottish ones as we'd have to pay fees to go outwith Scotland.

@horseymum have a look at the joint course - Music degree at Manchester Uni and Performing at RNCM. It’s excellent and has many very successful alumni.

Kings College London also has a highly rated Music degree and students can have lessons at RAM, and Oxbridge obviously.

What instrument does your daughter play? I can help a little on conservatoires as I attended one and DH teaches at 3. The London ones are more prestigious (and so more difficult to get into) than the others on your list, and I’d query why Guildhall isn’t included as it’s on a par with RCM and RAM. The differences between those 3 are more nuanced and mainly come down to instrument/teacher preference - worth having consultation lessons at all if you can.

What are her academic grades likely to be?

There is the Manchester degree course mentioned above, also Birmingham University has a great music department and shares teachers with Birmingham Conservatoire. (which is also very worth considering). Kings College London also have an agreement with RAM

A friend's son is very happy at Guildhall and chose it even though he was offered RAM. He did only apply for 3 places due to audition costs. If this is a consideration then Leeds Conservatoire don't charge audition fees. For classical it isn't quite the calibre of the others but still very good.

Huddersfield University has a world class reputation for music too, especially contemporary music and brass but it is often seen as cross between a conservatoire and a university.

Others to look at would be Nottingham, Sheffield, York, Southampton & Royal Holloway

Agree with others that a lot depends on what instrument she plays and academic grades but I would also consider Trinity Laban in London. It's less well known than RCM,RAM and GH but equally as good. My ds (17) has been at Junior Trinity for the last 3 years and it's his top choice for Senior conservatoire. We loved RCM, wasn't so keen on Royal Birmingham but that's personal choice. Ds wants to be in London at high narrows things down a lot but is also much more competitive. Btw, he's a violist. He was a violinist for 12 years but Trinity saw something in him and suggested viola and he has flown with it.
Chichester Uni have a Conservatoire too apparently and a friend's dd really like ld it. Also with consider for BA is Royal Holloway. Good luck

I (probably a little unreasonably) have been put off Chichester by the fact they they spent a couple of years declaring and getting their students to post on social media, that they now had "conservatoire status" when there is no such thing! They simply changed their name & are not members of Conservatoires UK.

Ah ok, I didn't know that

I disagree that Trinity is as good as RCM, RAM or Guildhall - it just isn’t.
All the London conservatoires have a different feel from each other, and their BMus courses also vary.
RAM is more “traditional” in its approach (no electronic or music production modules), GH is very forward-looking.
( A head’s up - RAM’s open day is mid September this year, so worth looking at for applications in 2024).

RWCM is smaller than the London conservatoires, less competitive and very friendly.
Because it’s often second choice for people wanting to be in London, it makes scholarship offers quite often.
Lots of the instrumental professors also play with WNO/BBC NOW.

RBC has a similar feel, I think.

Universities - Royal Holloway, York, Manchester joint RNCM, Birmingham, Southampton.
Surrey used to be good but I’m not sure how it ranks now.
Oxford and Cambridge.

Oh well, that me told them. I'll get my coat 🙄