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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.

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PinkGrapefruitSorbet · 13/02/2023 16:00

Hope your DD manages the surprise upgrade, @minisnowballs! It's not half term yet up here in the frozen north, but when it does roll round next week then DS has 4 days of Young Sinfonia at Sage Gateshead which is a really lovely venue.

horseymum · 14/02/2023 07:49

@minisnowballs that's great she's been promoted! I'll be a bit anxious till I know DD has arrived at Blackpool but I think they'll have a great time.

PracticalPie · 14/02/2023 20:12

My daughter is attending NYO string ensemble wed - Fri this week. Is there another group on before that?! Was starting to panic and check the details!

PracticalPie · 14/02/2023 20:13

She's NYO inspire

horseymum · 14/02/2023 21:10

Yes, woodwind starting today, brass finished today I think as my DD has it in her timetable to listen to their sharing concert. Hope your DD enjoys it.

PracticalPie · 15/02/2023 07:45

Oh I see! How long are woodwind there for?
From what I've seen on Facebook there's another string ensemble there already too - the video looks like they are sharing 🤷‍♀️

horseymum · 15/02/2023 08:12

Oh, I think there are quite a few different things going on, just found the FB story to see the pictures. I refuse to join Instagram or tic tok just to see some!

Pollyanna8844 · 15/02/2023 11:06

There are various courses on this week. Some are for ensembles and some are individual instrument days. I'm on the train with my son who has flute days on Thursday and Friday

hidingmystatus · 15/02/2023 13:49

I occasionally hang out here. My DD is at university-level Conservatoire in the USA, studying composition. Happy to discuss process (she did apply through UCAS conservatoires too, but went elsewhere) with anyone who's thinking about it. She also played oboe (G8) and sang (G6 for classical and musical theatre, I think). She did GSCE and A-level music.

minisnowballs · 15/02/2023 17:26

Thanks for the FB tip re Inspire- I can see dd looking very serious in the back of one of the photos. She was most impressed with the breakfast pancake machine - have heard nothing about any actual music

QueenMabby · 16/02/2023 11:11

@minisnowballs - sounds like your dd is like my dd! A pancake machine would also trump anything else for her! Glad she's having a good time.

We've had a break from concerts this week but did go to the school musical which was great. Dd too young to do it but as of next year she can audition for the chorus. She's counting down...

minisnowballs · 16/02/2023 11:27

Wow @QueenMabby they make them wait so long... DD's is a huge school, but they can audition from Year 7 for the musical (it's matilda this time so they need leads of all sizes - Dd slightly disgruntled not to be Matilda, but she sounds FAR too old, even though 'Matilda' may well be nearly as tall as she is as Miss Honey). Great they take it seriously though.

In musically incompetent news, we've lost a cello. I'm not home much at all at the moment because my Mum is very unwell in hospital - briefly popped home last night to discover DD1 had had a valentines party and rearranged the living room. No cello in sight - but she swears she didn't move it. I suspect it's at school, but DD2 swears it isn't. Guess we'll find out after half term! Perhaps I'll buy some of those airtag things.

At least the cello really is the afterthought instrument here - it's a 3/4 and I paid £80 for it at some point in lockdown - and it's not as if she's got any time to practise this week.

horseymum · 18/02/2023 14:30

Looking for advice here- how do cope with your child being disappointed with their performance, especially when it means a lot to them? DD played in a competition round this week. Was nervous in first piece, second piece, loads better and played very well. 6/7 kids in round, to me there were two stand out players, with DD pretty close behind ( so felt she stood a chance!), then a few others. Result- one of the predicted players won, then a very surprise runner up. Are competitions just so fickle? I know DD was disappointed, she didn't play her best but hey ho, she'll be back next year. I know she didn't deserve to win but was very surprised at the second place.

horseymum · 18/02/2023 14:35

Just to add, it wasn't sour grapes, she knows she didn't play her best so how to help her with that, but also the fact that however well you play, you can't control the outcome. It's so hard to know what the judges are looking for.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 18/02/2023 15:39

I think competitions are fickle and there's nothing wrong with telling her that. I would say it's about performing practice and if you win anything it's a bonus.

And also re making mistakes and nervous jitters - well, that's what you're practising for! I think there is sometimes a hump where small kids don't feel the nerves, then they start to and have to learn to deal with it. Even top performers describe feeling nervous. You learn techniques for controlling it - for yourself and for your particular instrument.

DD's teacher said something interesting last time she had an attack of the nerves. She said to think about your job being to make sure the audience have a good time. Bit like the advice for shy people struggling with social situations, so you're thinking about someone else's experience not your own.

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BartokRules · 19/02/2023 08:51

It's so random in competitions. I'm really going off competitive festivals etc because the adjudication is like choosing the best fruit.

Some people prefer an orange and some a banana, if you're the banana tough shit even if you're the best banana ever,

horseymum · 19/02/2023 09:31

I know, it really is comparing apples and oranges, especially when it's mixed instruments. I do just try to focus on it being a performance opportunity. I'd love there to be more non competitive opportunities for kids just to enjoy playing.
I think she was a bit surprised at the nerves as with oboe she has done quite a few performances and manages to control the nerves but we realised that since COVID, she's only played piano for one exam live ( anything else like competitions has been video)so hasn't got the same experience.
I like what @thirdfiddle said, focusing on the audience. Youngest DD has a competition coming up and we are really focused on the audience enjoying hearing her piece, which is a fun one.

minisnowballs · 19/02/2023 09:52

That's a lovely thought - to make sure the audience enjoy it. DD2 did her first solo flute performance since Covid yesterday (twelve hours after her grandmother died which was appalling timing but she decided to go through with it. I'd been at the hospital all week but made it just five minutes before).

Super proud of her - but mainly because she was the only child who remembered to acknowledge her accompanist at the end.

She's never done a competition - perhaps we should look into them as something to give her more performance opportunities. It's so good for the nerves. Well done to your DD for doing it at all@horseymum. Hope she enjoyed Inspire - DD2 seems to have had a lot of fun but said they worked them very hard.

horseymum · 19/02/2023 10:24

I think in DDS performance class they are always taught to thank the accompanist but in the sharing concerts few of them remember to do it.

NYO inspire was great, would recommend it. DD shattered after it but learned lots. Really well organised and set up well for independent travel as well.

I think competitions are ok but elder DD puts more pressure on herself, wants to get through to next round etc but younger one is less bothered so doesn't put the pressure on. I need to keep DDS focus on what she can control - not the outcome.

Siriusmuggle · 19/02/2023 11:54

Competitions are strange in some ways. Mine did one at school once. He was really confident and knew he was probably the best there but….. he played fairly badly and had tuning issues due to the temperature of the venue and came nowhere near winning. He wasn’t bothered at all because he knew he hadn’t shown his best. I found out months later from a totally unconnected source that one of the judges thought that he was amazing, really talented etc and just had a bad day. But he still made an impression. So even if it goes wrong they are still remembered and their skills recognised.

georgedawes · 19/02/2023 14:21

Hello, new to this thread! Just catching up and really interesting to hear about all your talented children...I have a daughter who really wants to sign up for NYO inspire, but she's too young at 12. Can anyone suggest any similar alternatives?

Pollyanna8844 · 19/02/2023 15:14

My son did a Flute day this week and there was a 12 year old there. If your daughter is grade 6+ it might be worth emailing and asking them if she can apply. The staff are all so lovely and supportive of the children

georgedawes · 19/02/2023 15:20

That's really useful, thank you! She's grade 6 in a rare ish instrument, and so keen to join..worth a shot asking it sounds like..

Circleoffifths · 19/02/2023 16:17

Very sorry about your mum @minisnowballs 💐

georgedawes · 19/02/2023 16:21

Sorry minisnowballs, I missed your sad news and blundered in with my question.

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