Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Thread gallery
10
Yayasisterhood · 26/02/2023 10:00

Coming in to say hello on this thread. Ds (5) is learning drums and piano. We’re working towards Grade 1 on drums and grade 2 on piano (though he is some way off that). We won’t do all the grades but will do a few a long way. Need grade 5 for secondary school applications.

He loves drums and it all seems very easy for him. Piano is more challenging at the moment. The early days are a lot less rewarding. With drums he is drumming along to the Beatles. With piano he’s still on nursery rhyme pieces.

Siriusmuggle · 26/02/2023 12:25

@minisnowballs i only have experience of specialist school for 6th form but it was brilliant. He loved it and wished he’d been there earlier. If she wants to go then I’d go for it, if she really hates it then she can move back. The opportunities will be great and she’s meet lots of like minded children.

northerngoldilocks · 26/02/2023 13:55

Just saw on fb that 'yorkestra' is running during the Easter holidays. Seems to be a beginner orchestra for up to grade 5 in York in case useful for anyone?

herbaceous · 26/02/2023 19:37

Hello all! Yes indeed - Yorchestra has three levels, primo, mezzo and maestro. Maestro doesn't run at Easter, as the kids tend to be older and thus fretting about GCSEs. Mezzo is pretty good though! (We live in York.)

Re grades, I think some kids find them motivating. Having an external 'expert' telling you you're good means more than your parents or teacher! DS flew through all his exams without trying too hard, getting all distinctions. Until grade 7, when he just got a decent pass. Because he didn't put in the effort! So that's a lesson for grade 8.

His singing concert was amazing. As usual, pulled it out of the bag. Particularly lovely rendition of Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square. 😢

flowflex · 26/02/2023 22:38

Hi All, my dd plays violin and working towards her diploma at present as she has always found exams motivating (though not as much as a cash prize!!). Still a few years off but looking forward and wondering about conservatoire. Google won’t reveal roughly how many applicants are accepted onto the first year of a BMus, let alone how many violin first studies, though I expect it varies. Does any know ballpark figures?

Siriusmuggle · 26/02/2023 22:46

@flowflex I’m not sure how to find that information. Obviously they take more of some instruments than others, for orchestral balance and to have the right amount across the college. For example my son is at a conservatoire, in his year group there’s him and one other on his instrument, about 14 or 15 across the whole conservatoire including post grad. But on say cello or violin there are loads more.

horseymum · 28/02/2023 15:18

I don't know how to find those figures, although an FOI request would work as they are public bodies I assume? I think it will be in line with proportions for the orchestra, so maybe only two of each woodwind but more strings? When I see pictures of the senior students at RCS doing workshops etc, it is quite low numbers for wind.

horseymum · 28/02/2023 15:25

Well, the up and down of competitions roller coaster continues. DD got a surprise commendation at one recently ( some really lovely playing from everyone so this was a nice bonus) and a top three for another (we hoped for this one!) One of which included the same player who was placed above her previously. Just goes to show on a different day, with different adjudicators, the result is always different! All good playing experience. Youngest DD also played her bassoon really well and actually enjoyed it this time, which counts as a win.
I'd love a local festival where they get to play for fun, maybe with a positive comment afterwards. I did mention it to the head of music service so we'll see if anything happens.

cantkeepawayforever · 28/02/2023 15:38

horseymum · 28/02/2023 15:18

I don't know how to find those figures, although an FOI request would work as they are public bodies I assume? I think it will be in line with proportions for the orchestra, so maybe only two of each woodwind but more strings? When I see pictures of the senior students at RCS doing workshops etc, it is quite low numbers for wind.

The end-of-cycle UCAS Conservatoires statistical reports may be useful from 2021

It’s a while since I looked at these, but I seem to remember that there was a report at instrument level that gave some information for the Conservatoires that use the UCAS Conservatoires process.

cantkeepawayforever · 28/02/2023 15:45

(Sorry, quoted wrong post, @flowflex but I hope that the link may be of some use. It won’t include Guildhall, who have their own application process)

horseymum · 28/02/2023 19:14

That's really interesting. I'm not great with statistics but I think around 22percent of woodwind applicants seem to get in. Numbers seem to be only half the strings when I thought it would be fewer. The one thing the data doesn't show is percentage of state schooled pupils getting in.

flowflex · 28/02/2023 19:46

Thank you so much, @cantkeepawayforever I'll have a look at that now!

Siriusmuggle · 28/02/2023 20:03

I’ve had a look and I’m not sure whether each student counts as an application or whether each application counts. My son applied for about 5 so does he count as 5 or 1? Not that it matters but if 20% of applications are successful that’s different to 20% of people.

horseymum · 09/03/2023 18:53

Anyone's DC had RSI from practice? Going to see a physio as rest and ibuprofen not helping massively. She plays oboe and piano and I don't think she does crazy amounts of practice - about an hour each per day, a lot more on a Saturday. Plenty of kids would do more ( I appreciate if your child has just started this sounds crazy but it's what she wants to do).

QueenMabby · 09/03/2023 19:57

Dd gets a sore shoulder/scapula if she does a lot of cello but that's mainly because she tenses up if it's tricky or very technical.

She doesn't do as much practice as your dd though @horseymum - that sounds pretty intense! Hope you find a decent physio. Have her music teachers assessed her posture/hand positions to make sure she's not causing it that way?

horseymum · 09/03/2023 20:13

Yes, her piano teacher has recommended rest at the moment, oboe teacher has always said she has great posture and not found anything in particular to worry about. Physio friend ( not music specific) has said drop shoulder to reduce any tension. Think it is more just volume, which she can't drop significantly. Also coupled with lots of writing for school prelims. I guess it's like if you 'only ' run 5 k a week it seems a lot to run 50 k, but also plenty people do and want to remain injury free. It's just how to keep up the volume without making things worse. I think rest is good just now but that's not a long term strategy.

northerngoldilocks · 09/03/2023 22:08

I wonder if it would help to film her playing piano so you can see if she's tensing up. My DD went through a phase of raising her shoulders and that builds tension if it's repeated over and over. Maybe the seat position could change slightly and help too? One of the teachers at the local music school she goes to teaches piano and Alexander technique- might be worth looking to see if there is anyone like that locally. Think that someone specialising in musicians would be good!

georgedawes · 13/03/2023 12:10

Has anyone got experience of changing instrument teachers when you feel the time has come to move on? It's a long story, and nothing big has happened, but DD feels like teacher doesn't understand her so much these days and can be quite regimented in a way that doesn't sit right e.g. you must do every grade in order etc rather than play around. The teacher was great for getting her going at the start but seems a bit at a loss with her at times now, and it's affecting DD's confidence a bit.

Any thoughts on how to phrase it? I appreciate I just need to put my big girl pants on, but I don't want to cause any ill feelings.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 13/03/2023 13:12

Georgedawes, been there and it's really hard! A good teacher will understand wanting to get different perspectives though (might be a useful phrase!). One of our teachers suggested a possible move on those grounds in fact, as DC had been with them a long time. The one that actually wasn't working out was bloody awkward though, I don't think I handled it very well.

Perhaps cowardly but I'd email so they're not put on the spot having to respond to a surprise announcement. Kids do change teacher for various reasons all the time, they should be used to it.

OP posts:
QueenMabby · 13/03/2023 14:00

We changed cello teacher last year. Just emailed and gave the required notice and said that dd had been feeling a bit conflicted about her instrument and we were going to try a teacher with a different style to see if that helped her as she didn't want to give it up (spoiler - it did help! We've had to put grades on hold while her new teacher goes back over some basics but she's a much better player and has more confidence now!)

Good luck!

minisnowballs · 13/03/2023 14:06

we've had a (relatively awkward) teacher changeover recently.

DD2 wasn't getting what she needed with her flute teacher, and in this case we had to go through the head of department. We went with 'a different style and perspective is needed'...

It wasn't easy - but it was totally the right decision - she's making far more progress now and is much more confident. If there's a head of department, or head of music at school to go through that might make it easier - harder if not. Good luck!

northerngoldilocks · 13/03/2023 14:20

We changed private teachers at the beginning of the school year. It helped that we moved from lessons in our house to Sat music school -we just said that we were looking to consolidate all lessons onto a Saturday and to tie in with ensembles etc. The piano teacher was fine about it, he'd taught both DC for a long time and think that we'd got to a point where it was good to switch.

georgedawes · 13/03/2023 14:38

Oh you are all my people and understand!! Unfortunately will have to be a direct email or conversation as not through a music centre. It's awkward because she started learning with this teacher, but now she's playing at a much higher level, it's not quite working out. It's the right thing to do I think, but definitely awkward!!

Worriedmum42 · 13/03/2023 20:30

Hello, I'm not new to Mumsnet but don't think I've posted here before.
My dd plays cello and has grade 6 exam tomorrow- does anyone know how long for results with Trinity?
Thank you

Siriusmuggle · 13/03/2023 22:41

Trinity are usually really quick- sometimes even the same day.

Swipe left for the next trending thread