Spring /Summer 24 - Music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

The old thread was filling up, so here's a new one to talk about music activities. Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles. There's loads of experience across a wide variety of instruments too(though bassoon's are weirdly popular on here - you'd think that every second child plays one!).

@northerngoldilocks if it is the orchestra I think it is a lovely family and dd looks forward to being back in August.

@se22mother it is indeed the S London one. They're apparently adding a concert band from the summer which is something they've needed for years. Weirdly if you're a string player you had opportunities from grade 2 up but wind and brass had to be grade 6+ for the first orchestra. Suspect it was a combination of space and tutor availability, but great that they're adding it now. DS would probably enjoy the concert band but keen for him to stick with an orchestra as its the only one he plays in - he swapped out of all orchestra options at his Sat centre in favour of wind band and flute ensemble and does LYWB so think one full orchestra is good for him. New concert band will be grade 4-7 standard for anyone in South London looking for a holiday activity in the summer.

@northerngoldilocks that sounds great. Yes a much needed addition

Just had two fantastic youth orchestra concerts. As predicted, I always well up a bit as you see all the hard work come together in a fantastic joyous evening. I'll finally get DD back after she's been away for nearly two weeks. Exams start next week so hopefully she gets some rest and revision in now.

aww that's lovely @horseymum - must be nice to have DD back though. Fingers crossed the revision goes Ok

Ds has had a fabulous weekend. He's had next to no sleep (arrived at the hotel at 1.15am their time and travelled back last night on a 2.30am ferry arriving bat 8am. But what a wonderful experience. He met all the west end soloists and there was one song that opened with a piano accompaniment solo. I've seen a few instagram clips and it sounded great.

@Comefromaway sounds amazing. You must be so proud of him.

I am rather

Well done to your DS, Comefromaway. He's doing so brilliantly! An exciting future ahead of him.

was anyone at the NYO concert at the RFH last night?
Wonderful playing and especially lovely to spot some DCs from this thread. 👏

@Comefromaway sounds like an amazing opportunity. Kids seem to have a huge capacity for functioning when utterly exhausted if it's something they want to do. DD is returning from NYO tonight after 14 days away ( left a couple of days before course started as grandparents were helping with lifts), countless hours of rehearsals, I don't know how many concerts and is still planning to go to school tomorrow.
@Alwaysplayspicc we went to the Liverpool concert, the London hall looked amazing too. Counting the hours till I pick DD up after final day of concerts today.

Sounds like lots of DCs with wonderful experiences over the holidays well done all!

@Comefromaway that sounds brilliant experience for your DS - such a great opportunity.

@QueenMabby how's the new cello working out? Is it just much louder? This was my main thing about DD changing to a full sized violin, it was so much louder and more resonant!

I took DS to see Emmanuel Pahud play last night - hoping it inspires some flute practice!

It's a long stint, horseymum! DS didn't do the schools stuff today,thankfully, so we just had the drive back home late last night - got into bed at 2am this morning and DS has spent today recovering.

I am so jealous, northerngoldilocks - Emmanuel Pahud is one of my favourite flautists! I bet it was wonderful.

Definitely a long stint, waiting at the airport, tracking the flight up the M6!

@Comefromaway what a fab experience!
@Alwaysplayspicc we went to the RFH concert, which was amazing! We were able to take DS home straight after. Although we were somewhat delayed (everyone else had left!) as he had lost his railcard. It was in his pocket before dinner, but missing after concert... Home by 11:30pm, and up for sixth form the next day. He is shattered and missing his friends
@northerngoldilocks wow lucky you and DS! My DS would be so jealous as Pahud is his idol

Beautiful playing from your DS, Pollyanna8234.
Did he apply to BBC YM again this year?

Thank you! @Alwaysplayspicc
He did and we are off to Cardiff tomorrow. Is your DS doing it?

Amazing! Best of luck to him!
DS didn't apply, as he's got A levels looming and isn't really someone who goes in for competitions (he's bizarrely not very ambitious or competitive!).
I took part, way back in the day, but only got through the first round.

Hello again everyone. Just realised why I wasn't getting notifications on the old thread!
Not a lot going on here just now. DD1 has a piano concert at school next week and her Chetham's audition the following day, so practice is happening constantly right now. She still found the time do give DD2 a master class yesterday though. DD2 was getting frustrated with one of her pieces and DD1 helped her through it with a sensitivity she doesn't normally give her sister! Very proud mum moment. I'm not holding my breath that it will be repeated.

Well done to all those amazing NYOers - and good luck to @Pollyanna8234 DS. They are all such an inspiration! And good luck to @mustardrarebit DD next week.

Not much going on here. DD2 has another week at home so we're enjoying her actually being around. The bassoon and flute came on holiday to the Peak District with us and friends- a first for the bassoon. Everyone got used to having Elgar's Romance as a backdrop to post-dinner conversation and she also did requests - some not really very suitable for bassoon, it has to be said.

Today she's been working on her grade 6 singing - which is for next term. I enjoy hearing her sing and she doesn't do so much of it any more, so that's been quite nice.

I'm not looking forward to giving DD2 back to school - just got used to having her home - but she's already chomping at the bit - not to mention eagerly snapchatting a lot of year 10 boys..

Sigh.

@northerngoldilocks - thank you for asking. New cello is amazing! It sounds so good. It's really given her a boost of confidence as she can produce such a fantastic sound.

She's playing in a small ensemble next week for a dance show and then a big school concert the week after so it's getting lots of play time already.

Exciting times with auditions going on - hope they've gone well @Pollyanna8234 and that your DD is feeling good for next week @mustardrarebit

I managed to somewhat inadvertently buy a piccolo this week on ebay. I was just seeing how much it was going for and it was a good buy compared to others on sale so now DS has a picc. To be honest he was one of the only flautists who didn't have one at youth orchestra at Easter and so its probably time he tried it out. It arrived today and he's shown more enthusiasm for it than I imagined he might, but am also aware that it might not come out of its case again for months! Have instigated rules such as 1) ear protection is non negotiable and 2) you must play in your bedroom with the door shut. Still quite loud really...

Congratulations to @Comefromaway 's DS! And to everyone else whose DC are succeeding.
@Ubertomusic my DD (now at conservatoire in the US and going on to a Master's in composition) wasn't at a specialist music school, but she did oboe, singing (classical and musical theatre), theory at G6 and piano (more off than on) plus choir; while taking 11 GSCE and then 4 A levels, in which (Covid teacher assessed) she ended up with 3 A* and A. It's possible, but you need to be organised about it, though for a talented DC like yours (and everyone else in here), the music won't be a problem. DD wasn't doing JD or anything like that, though.

NYO are on BBC 3 this evening at 7.30 pm. Can't listen live as at a battle of the bands for younger DD, playing electric bass. ( It's all about the bass for her!)

Oh wow @horseymum that sounds proper cool (the electric bass I mean) .. what's she playing? I'll try and watch the NYO - though sadly DD2 has gone back to school now so I can't inveigle her into watching it.

I'm bereft, as usual. It appears that the pattern is that I get about two days of missing her and trying to convince myself we've done the right thing by letting her go, followed by a bit of a reprieve where I've got used to the house being emptier and getting my office back (I work in her bedroom).

Then she comes home for exeat and the whole thing begins again.

Pathetic really!