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.

I love the resilience they build doing music. I have one quite anxious one and she's shown that she can really step out of her comfort zone if it involves music. Only downside is Unfortunately then I think some teachers don't recognise the anxiety she has in other subjects as they see her up on stage performing. Got a competition this week and she's been doing so much practice, even agreed to get some performance tips from elder DD. I get more nervous than them!

much excitement at music hogwarts as Tom Holland is apparently filming in the cathedral. DD2 and about half of her friends are planning to 'just go into town' (read 'hang around outside the cathedral') after school.

We were there yesterday to see DS play in a lunchtime concert. Would normally park next to the cathedral green, but the road was closed and taken up by the film crew.
As his concert was in the same road, we had no choice but to walk up it and we did bump into a male actor in full costume, but didn't spot who it was ( my hope was Mark Rylance or Damien Lewis!)

I meant to say, they've had 4 days of filming over the last fortnight - it's the second series of Wolf Hall.

At @Alsoplayspiccolo -so much excitement when one of DD2's friends 'made eye contact' with Thomas Brodie-Sangster on Vicars Close. DD2 most disappointed she didn't spot him in Tesco - told her he was more of a Waitrose chap.

Hope lunchtime concert went well !

Haha! Filming finishes there today, I believe, so your DD needs to maximise her loitering opportunities.

Lunchtime concert was lovely, if brief - a 4 hour found trip to hear DS play for 5 minutes, and the whole concert only lasted 20 minutes or so!
We haven't missed one yet, as opportunities to see him perform will be few and far between once he's studying in London.

@Alsoplayspiccolo we made dd2's first lunchtime concert (four hours each way for 5 minutes of playing and a five minute bedtime hug the night before), missed her recent Going Solo (on flute) and her solo in the Bach Day. Now she informs me she's solo in Friday's woodwind concert so trying to fit in that and the Requiem next week.

Given how far away we are it's a lot. Grateful she can at least get herself home on public transport for exeats etc.

That's a marathon trip for you. We can do it in a day comfortably, at least.
DH dropped DS and his friend who stayed with us back on Sunday evening. Unfortunately, DS left his jumper in the car so DH ran after him, leaving his phone and car keys in the car...and the car locked itself, resulting in an expensive call out to an auto locksmith.

@Alsoplayspiccolo Noooo!! That's dreadful! I sent DD2 and her friend home on the train (and then bus from Bristol). We try to minimise the trips.

We rarely miss a concert and that would change dramatically if DD goes anywhere other than Scotland for conservatoire. I guess it's just the next stage, and some of them have moved to that stage more quickly.

DS's school is next to our house, so rarely miss a concert! This will change if he decides to go to the RCM, his current notion...

@herbaceous whereas the RCM would be tremendously helpful for us - so obviously dd2 will go somewhere far less geographically helpful. We do usually get a recording when we don't get to go, which is nice...

We live in York, so Guildhall would be better! Or the RNCM or Leeds Conservatoire. But no...

Does he have a teacher in mind @herbaceous or just loves the building?

I can’t bear the thought of my kids leaving home - but perhaps the teenage years help you to detach a bit 🤣

He loves the building, the courses and the website!!

I can't bear the thought of him leaving either. He's my only, and long-awaited. He's 'only' 14, but that means only four more years of school!

First music competition done here today. DS played flute - overall positive comments and some helpful stuff about performance and how to project confidence more, which is something I don't feel his Sat centre works on so was good for him.

DD played violin - and it's the first time she has ever performed solo on that so really good experience and good / helpful comments. She also entered on piano and won the junior category so that was great for her. As part of her prize she gets to play in a church service so think that will be another good performance opportunity for her and as a pianist, so important to take up!

We had our annual local music festival fairly small field and DS won his violin class of grade 5&6 and the highest mark up to grade 6. He is also joint highest mark for all the string solo classes so I think that means he's in for the grand finale next Saturday. His performance wasn't his best wasn't as energetic as usual because he's had a fever for 2 days but he didn't have any major mistakes and kept going when he made a couple small mistakes and the adjudicator didn't even mention the mistakes. It was funny the comments were mainly constructive advices on tuning and consistency in tempo etc. I didn't hear many really positive words so thought it was not good enough but then he gave him the highest score! I think the adjudicator wanted to help him because the relatively higher grade he's in, instead of wonderful praises only. I think that was very useful for DS to hear it from someone's mouth than me or his usual teacher.
DS is really pleased he defended his shield for the highest mark. I wasn't sure but he was determined to go in for the competition to get that shield back! 🤣.
He still got the fever today but managed to take part in the another competition for his string ensemble this morning but missed out the afternoon's percussion in band.
He has two piano competitions coming next week and the next round then the grand finale on Saturday, as part of the music festival. then the grade 4 violin exam the week after. I'd say let the craziness continue!!

Well done to @northerngoldilocks DS and DD. Congratulations to your DD for the win and the performance reward - great opportunity for a pianist!
Well done to all the children that played in festivals/competitions it's quite difficult to perform under pressure so they're all getting the invaluable experience.

Wow your schedules all sound super busy but what amazing experiences for all the children.

We aren't in that league at all but had to cut back last term as what we were doing was becoming overwhelming for her. This term she's really come on with her own practice though without so many orchestra commitments. And she's hoping to rejoin at Easter. I'm really mindful of her being overwhelmed again though and balancing with schoolwork has felt a real pressure now she's older.

My question today is we're flying longhaul soon to see family and she'd like to take her flute. Now it's not as crazy expensive as the oboe.

But realistically I'm not sure she should play in hotel rooms as it will be loud for guests won't it? Maybe wait til we see Granny. And it's a lot of faff for what will only be a small section of the holiday.

We're assuming it should come in the plane with us rather than in the hold? But would it be alright in the hold?

@northerngoldilocks @chickentikkasalad well done to your little stars. Neither of mine have ever done a competition - I think I'd never even known they were a 'thing' so would never have considered it. They must have nerves of steel!

@CupOfCoffeePlease I think I'd take it in the cabin bag given a flute isn't very big. They could get bashed about a bit. DD2 has never played hers in a hotel room - the occasional AirBNB at very social hours. It is amazing how loud a flute suddenly sounds when you're away from home though!

Yes I'm not exactly convinced of taking it as I think she'll only play it when we visit grandma there won't be any other opportunity!!!

@CupOfCoffeePlease my DS has played his violin in hotel rooms but only during day time when everyone was at the pool . His is a small violin so not super loud but still I can imagine quite loud in the not so sound proofing hotel rooms. No one ever complained. He did play outside on a street with a performer once so it was handy to have it with us .

We are going away for a few days over Easter - can't imagine either child will take an instrument. Sometimes DD takes a ukulele but otherwise nothing. I think if they're working towards an exam and its very soon then they might, but otherwise they'll just have a holiday. They practice every day otherwise so don't really think that a couple of weeks off occasionally is a bad thing. Also depends on age / seriousness.

We have a French horn coming on our Easter holiday. Luckily it's UK and detatched! No option really as end of year recital is early May.

Oh I'm not worried about her have a couple of weeks off (she is doing grade 8 but not til the summer) and not too sure she's that fussed right now as I think she is exhausted at school...

Its more it's longhaul and we only see relatives every 5-10years and they want to hear her. Hmm!!! I think we'll have to!!