Autumn 23 Music chat

[horseymum]

It's autumn term already! I'm sure there's lots of music going to happen this term. Welcome to anyone who wants to chat about your child's music activities, whether current or things you hope to do. It's a friendly group with experience at many different levels.( I've learned so much) No question is a daft one and don't be put off by chat about higher levels, all our children couldn't play a note once.
Come and ask about starting music lessons, which instrument to choose, exams, music festivals, specialist schools, orchestras and ensembles. We love talking music.
We also love to share music exam successes or struggles etc ( you can't always shout about these on FB!).
Feel free to do a wee intro if you want, although it's still public so only share what you want to.

https://www.nyso.uk/

Thank you all for your suggestions, that’s really appreciated.

@Alsoplayspiccolo, we have been mulling over that and have looked at the audition requirements which seem fine. Not the cheapest option, but it’s two residential. Do you know anyone with any first hand experience?

Violasrule, my son played in what was then the intermediate ensemble a couple of years ago.
He really enjoyed it, even though it was during COVID restrictions, so no leaving the premises.
They were conducted by Suzy Collier (Jacob Collier’s mum and the most incredible music educator) and the standard of the final performance was excellent.

Eye wateringly expensive but bursaries are available and very much a quality organisation.

My daughter did her theory a month ago (saturday 4 weeks ago literally)... and I've logged in and it still says pending..

She's now working towards grade 8 and it was just something she has a mental block with.... and she thinks she will need to redo so it would be amazing if she passed if if it is a "just"

Isn't it normally a month?

Cupofcoffee - People have reported 4 weeks to the day or even hour, but that may only apply on working days? I would expect it on Monday in your shoes. I'd like to know the answer as DS did his the weekend after and I'm a terrible one for clicking refresh repeatedly if I think there's a chance of a result.
Oh, assuming you entered her - if her teacher entered her it will be released to applicant first, and candidates 7 days after or if the applicant clicks a button to release earlier.

And good luck! At g8 standard I'm sure she'll be absolutely fine. So much of it is stuff you pick up just playing.

Following the string player suggestions with interest! DD has auditioned for NCO but may be looking for a backup plan in due course.

Thank you @Alsoplayspiccolo, that’s great to know. It’s hard to find courses but (if audition goes well) it sounds really good.

DC is post g8 and there’s not much around that suits. Didn’t apply to NYO due to the huge time commitment required to be part of it.

Yes I entered her and we'd had today in our calendar as she was going to try and revise again! She'd done okay in practice tests at home but I think lost it for the online one.

She's obviously not sat a grade since but is working towards sitting grade 8 in the summer. I don't think theory is her strongest point...

Usually 28 days exactly on theory but also to the hour it was ended or thereabouts. DDs result didn't show up until the end of the 28th day. Also if someone else enters them the result isn't released to the candidate for an additional 7 days

We entered her so should come here but she did sit in the evening so will look again tonight!

Grr still no results!!! Been refreshing every 20mins or so but doesn't look like we'll know!

That would so be me CupOfCoffee. But I am going to profit from your experience and ban myself from the internet next weekend! Fingers crossed it's good news when it comes. For us DS doesn't particularly care, it was me that persuaded him to do it and tick the box in case it's needed in future, but at the moment any practical exams he does will be Trinity which doesn't require theory.

Mine will have to redo it if she fails as she wants grade 8 and school has ramped up this year. (year 10) . So I want to know. Preferably now 😂. She did sit it in the evening. But may need to accept defeat here.

I did Google exam results times.... they give American students their results in seven days!!! Same abrsm. Grrr.

Good luck- hope it comes though overnight and that it's good news. It feels like such a big thing as it's the gateway to abrsm progression. When DD sat hers she was already entered for grade 7 and there wasn't really enough time to resit so it was a huge relief

Just did one last check and she's passed!! With a merit 😮. She was all geared up for a resit as well!!!

She was just drifting off and I woke her up 😁

@CupOfCoffeePlease brilliant news! Congrats to her

Well done @CupOfCoffeePlease dd!

@CupOfCoffeePlease so great for your DD to get it out of the way - she should be so pleased with herself, a merit suggests she did far more than enough - and now she can get on with the bit she really enjoys.

We had our first visit to DD2 at boarding school yesterday, and DD1 had her first day back at Saturday music centre. So big music day all round.

DD2 has new bassoon - so much easier than old one, and can now actually play the high notes without turning puce. Still only has four reeds though. Teacher is also suggesting she learns bass clarinet and one of the lower saxes as 'more useful in a pit band' - which seems like an incredible amount of foresight given she's 14. But most importantly she's really, really happy.

It was a joy watching a couple of her friends just playing the piano and singing arias last night in the house as we were leaving - most in their hockey kit as they'd just played a match. And i was really impressed by the way the houseparent was speaking to them all.

I think the 8am ensembles twice a week and early morning practice three times a week are a bit of a shock but she seems to be coping. Don't think we could have asked for a better visit and I think DD has chosen the right school for her. And she's taken up water polo, which is quite random - but apparently the pool is warmer than the hockey pitch so this has influenced her decision.

DD1 has survived Symphony orchestra at saturday centre - and has a new quintet which she's finding more than mildly challenging. But she's up for it all, and for an exam in March, which is great to see.

@CupOfCoffeePlease - well done to your dd. That's a fantastic result!

@minisnowballs - I'm so pleased the first visit went well. Sounds like your dd has settled in very happily. I'm agog at the new instruments but I'm sure your dd will tackle them with aplomb. Good to hear dd1 also getting some challenge at her Saturday school.

Dd is really enjoying her new spot in the chamber string orchestra. One of the pieces they're doing is the Vivaldi concerto for two cellos (two of the upper sixth have cello diplomas and are amazing) and she's loving seeing the cello get some spotlight. Plus with two up front it "promotes" her from fourth cello (of five) to second cello (of three!) 🤣

The "big" school musical has been announced and it's Les Mis. Ensemble only this year for dd as she's taking an extra gcse off timetable and that's two evenings a week with the exam this year so she can't fit in too many rehearsals. She had the launch event this week which is basically like a massive workshop/group rehearsal so we'll see how that goes.

@QueenMabby Les Mis ensemble will be brilliant -great songs and fun characterisation. What a good choice.

Fab the chamber orchestra going so well - sounds very high level - fabulous experience for her.

@minisnowballs - it's a school ensemble so there is a range of ability but probably all g5+. Our current upper sixth is randomly VERY musical. Lots of really high achieving musicians. It's odd isn't it that some school years are just like that. Clusters of brilliance!

Hooray CupofCoffeePlease's DD!

And minisnowballsDD too, that all sounds really positive and incredibly hard working.
And QueenMabby DD. I so envy having ensembles happening at school. DC's school have nothing, so we are v lucky to have a good local music centre and other teachers who organise things.

Great news @CupOfCoffeePlease - so good to get it out of the way and eliminate any requirement for theory. After this it's only for those who want to do it rather than a blanket rule!

Good to hear about others music starting back too. DS finally back at sat music too- his supporting studies is apparently a shock to the system as he's now in the older group- no more quizzes! Otherwise really enjoyed his first Saturday.

Great news @CupOfCoffeePlease - always a relief to get it out of the way! Glad to hear all the new ensembles and schools are going so well. We are starting the Christmas preparations here.