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.

We had no parental interview at the school DD is at @londonmummy1966 -perhaps they have changed the system?

it's a good job as I suspect it might have been a black mark against DD's name as we're not exactly music experts but we do ask a lot of questions - mainly about safeguarding, boarding and gender equality- not things specialist music schools really love discussing.

I did meet the Chets head as he wandered past having taken a 'consultation lesson' for DD (apparently the bassoon teacher was busy). He was very nice about dd and had very shiny shoes - and one of the younger children came up to chat with him and seemed to get on well with him.

On MDS I'm not sure whether it really has 'brackets' - those are indicative figures only -our income falls within one of the brackets, but is a different figure - I think it's calculated exactly to the pound on your relevant income, so everyone's figure is different.

@minisnowballs I thought there were brackets as a small pay rise pushed the fees up by a big step for me/dd this year

DD did get into a local CAT a couple of years ago but they were so disorganised and we had to chase for everything that we felt she was better off continuing PQA instead. No regrets there, she gains a lot from it and it is well organised!

@se22mother, I think there are thresholds above which they take a larger percentage of your money- but I could be completely wrong. It's all a bit mysterious to be honest!

@minisnowballs yes all very mysterious

The most useful thing I found was the calculator on the royal ballet school site, randomly... where you can type in relevant income and get an idea of what you'll pay. However, you need to remember that relevant income includes pension contributions (but not child benefit etc)

My DS has started auditioning for shows and one is asking him to pay a show fee of £170. Is this standard?

Thank you, this was really helpful. I also discovered more details on the Yehudi Menuhin school site, with actual amounts and what is considered relevant income. If that's correct then we should be OK financially 🤞Now dc just has to be accepted!

Amateur musical theatre shows? Yes it’s usual. It usually breaks down to something like £5 per week subs.

Might be more now though

Good luck and keep us posted. Mine went for 6th form and it was really great for him. It was really helpful in his conservatoire applications too.

Thanks @Comefromaway we haven't heard whether he's got a part yet but wanted to make sure it wasn't a scam!

It's all true, StuntNun. You have to pay a load out for the scenery, theatre hire, costumes etc etc...

It's like our amateur orchestra, part of the activity is the weekly rehearsals, our subs pay for the conductor, music hire and venue, the concert tickets pay for concert venue hire, and soloists etc. Hope he gets a part and has a great time.

He got a part in Dandy Dan's Gang in Bugsy Malone! Not a bad first start into musical theatre.

Well done @StuntNun DS - sounds amazing!

I'm trying not to laugh at DD2 who is clearly reaching the end of her tether at the end of the half term. She needs to take a maths test (fair enough) by Friday lunchtime. Yesterday was Bach Day (no time for maths test). Today she is playing contra in Beethoven 5 (no time for maths test). Tomorrow there is now apparently a 'stupid saxophone talk' which means she can't take a maths test.

I can understand her frustration but its Jess Gillam for heaven's sake...versus a maths test!

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DS would always choose a maths test over anything else! Not sure that's a helpful comment here though. Basically sounds like she's ready for a break which is good timing!

We're also ready for half term, though DS has the London Youth Wind Band rehearsals and concert all week. He also needs to fit in more piano practice as is doing his Grade 6 finally this March and his scales aren't there yet! He's also playing in a lunchtime concert the first Sat after the half term break and I've entered him into a local competition but with the same piece, so work on his flute pieces too. Excitingly we're going to look at new flutes for him just after half term, though unhelpfully Altus have just relaunched their range at the exact point he's considering their flutes.

Couldn't find any music activities for DD so she is doing a couple of art classes but hopefully also a lot more practice as her wrist is much better now. She still complains it hurts if she does loads of piano with 'big chords' but its mostly ok. We're skipping Grade 5 violin though. She's chosen an A piece for gr 8 piano now - her teacher made the mistake of letting her listen to them all and given she's 10 she's obviously gone for the one called 'Les Cyclopes' because, why wouldn't you! She's also playing the piano in assembly this friday - amazingly a whole piece start to finish (though it is the Minute Waltz)!

Yes all mine would prefer maths to music! I'm told that the two subjects go together though. However I'm also told that musical people often have nearly handwriting and that definitely doesn't apply to my kids!

Grade 8 at age 10 is impressive @minisnowballs what age did she start playing?

(I'm just jealous because I'm 47 and I'm still not grade 8 lol!)

*neat handwriting obvs.

DS played a LOT of Bach yesterday, minisnowballs!
I'm very jealous of the opportunity to watch Jess Gillam - we've seen her in concert a couple of times and she is fabulous!! So much energy and enthusiasm.

@Alsoplayspiccolo DD2 also played a LOT of bach (including a rogue 'cpe bach' piece). Yes, I'm jealous too. The maths teacher has predictably backed down on the test so looks like she will get to see Jess Gillam. Hooray!

@StuntNun not my child who is grade 8 at 10 - @northerngoldilocks has the prodigy. My dds are far more pedestrian!

Oops sorry @minisnowballs!

She's almost 11 and won't take Gr 8 before then! I'm not in any rush for her to do it. She has 2 pieces that are pretty good so just the new one to sort out now. She might eventually take a violin exam instead if she can avoid breaking her wrist just before it this time!