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.

She's been in slyo 1 for several years now. Has been doing slyo/jasspa since the age of 4 so it is like home to her.

That's the beauty of it as an orchestra, the fact it's totally ad hoc but that people also go back each time meaning they have friends who are just orchestra friends. It's really nice for them. I'm hoping my two can go for years too and given my son is a flautist we are trying very hard not to miss any as flute places are in short supply vs number of flautists!

Both of mine benefit from the courses as some of the best ensemble playing they experience. Their school music doesn't come close in terms of the challenge or the ability of the peer group so it's a great opportunity for them.

Apologies for the SLYO detail to anyone not in or around london!

Could someone volunteer to start a new term thread please? Spring is sadly long gone.

Yes. In non-music schools, the child (and if necessary the parent) does have to drive the process and know the deadlines. I got involved in the final week because the school had accidentally thought that early application for conservatoires had the same deadline as early application for Oxbridge. That said, it was a genuine mistake and the Head of Sixth Form not only sorted it but created a new information file for any of his successors to read if any future pupil applied to conservatoire.

Tbh, having to be on the ball and self driven and willing to chivvy people in authority to get things done in a non-standard way are all skills future musicians will need, and for us it was part of our conviction that this was DS’s proper path (he is naturally laid back, but when he is really interested in something, he gies over and above).

(and if necessary the parent) That was an issue which is how me and dh got involved the following year.

Ok, I'll start it this time but don't know how to link.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/4884690-autumn-23-music-chatAutumn music thread

Well done @horseymum - link looks fine!

Yes, completely understand. I have to say that my involvement was a total of 1 e-mail, as DS was trusting of authority saying it would be done (after he had done all the initial pushing) and I read between the lines to identify the misunderstanding. However with a less ‘willing’ school and a less motivated child I think parental support would be much more critical.

Ds's college had a lot of young people who were the first in their family to even contemplate university and it was in an area where higher education uptake is low & the college massively push their own HND courses. So adding potential conservatoire into the mix was an extra complication!

I would be grateful for any advice. My DS is 13 and plays the saxophone - about to take grade 7. ( and drums grade 5ish) We are not a musical family at all and so he just got on with things without much parental input but seems to love the saxophone especially Jazz. His school music teacher today suggested he applied to a junior conservatoire. I had never heard of these - I think it seems he could audition early next year. His school is a state comp so we don’t know anyone else who does this. Any advice on which one he should look at ( I looked at junior Jazz at Guildhall and seems amazing), and would he need to practice skills beyond pieces. He does lots of improvisation and composition himself. Thankyou in advance

Where in the country are you?

And does he already do eg county / music service Jazz groups?

(Pm if you prefer - I can offer some experience but it may be easiest to do so vis pm)

were in Herts so can get to London ok. He does county jazz courses when they run - but they seems to be just in holidays / short courses, and a local weekly music service jazz group plus school and a local jazz band with adults and teenagers which seems the highest standard

@dustybee

Have a look at Tomorrow’s Warriors https://tomorrowswarriors.org/contact/our-programmes-at-southbank-centre/

Also for Big Band experience, Amersham Big Band may be local https://amershamband.com/amersham-big-band/

Junior Guildhall jazz programme is very good. Don’t know details so can’t advise on additional needs. But they will advise you if you talk to them [email protected]

Perhaps ask this question on latest thread. You may get more responses.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/4884690-autumn-23-music-chat

I have a wind player of a similar age but she hates jazz (hoping she'll get over this at some point!) so I've seen some of what's out there @dustybee.

Definitely try the autumn music thread that @Trumpetdad recommends. As well as the JDs there is also CYM (bit cheaper and part of Junior Guildhall) which has a good jazz department and is easy to get to on the Thameslink depending where you are in Herts (Elephant and Castle). Or Junior Trinity in Greenwich does jazz but won't be as convenient. They do some jazz summer stuff too that should suit his age group. He'd be right for the London Youth Wind Band for example, which is touring to Austria this summer.

There are some higher level jazz holiday courses around - some residential if you want that - though they are pricey!

Thank you @Trumpetdad and @minisnowballs very helpful. I’ll look on the other thread and investigate the options

I wasn’t sure Junior Trinity had a jazz course? Not familiar with the London ones, but couldn’t find mention if a separate Jazz course on their website. DS’s Junior jazz course was just jazz, with tutors from the conservatoire jazz course.

@dustybee it's usually more that they have jazz ensembles, and your day would be built around them, i think... so at CYM my dd's day was mostly classical (with a bit of musical theatre) but it could as easily have been jazz ensembles and an individual lesson,... worth asking what they offer anyhow.