Autumn / Winter 24 - music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

Feels like time for a new thread for the new school year!

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.

All the current ABRSM G5 syllabus is here and there are some good pieces on it:
shop.abrsm.org/shop/syllabus/ABRSM-Clarinet-from-2022-Grade-5/12406/416/5

Yes I thought of that at first but wanted to try something that was less expected if possible, I will have another look now though thanks @MockCroc

While we're on scholarship queries can anyone recommend a good show tune for dd to sing at her performing arts scholarship audition? She has to do a song (from a musical I think) and a monologue. Voice-wise she's upper register and definitely more classical voice rather than jazzy belter if that makes sense! Apparently all the ones I've suggested are "too obvious" and she wants something a bit different. <eyeroll>

Any suggestions? We can then find a suitably contrasting monologue which I think will be easier.

Thank you.

Remind me how old she is?

@QueenMabby DD2's current leftfield grade 7 songs (from the trinity syllabus, and I think not too well known) include Sondheim's Girls of Summer, which she really loves - can be done classically though has a jazz feel, and a lovely piece called Business Girls by Dring - which is more classical, and a setting of a Betjemann poem. Both are on Spotify.

I'm too low brow as my favourite musicals are Mary Poppins, Matilda, Annie and Oliver!

Always True To You in My Fashion - Kiss Me Kate

She's year 11.

Oh me too. My knowledge of musicals is limited to phantom, Les mis and tv ones like the king and I and the sound of music!

I Have Torn You From My Heart - Daddy Long Legs

Oh I actually like the king and I, did it at school. Wondered if it was a bit non PC now though? I was a Siamese child. And my Fair Lady. Also maybe problematic! And Oliver, probably not PC either. Or Matilda. Is there anything left?

🤣
So many are probably a bit non-PC these days. Great songs though.

How about so in love from Kiss me Kate? My DD is a classical singer too and did it for her Grade 8 - you can really get a lot of emotion into and perfect for a soprano.

Some good suggestions on the songs. Thank you. Will give dd a list so she can look them up.

@QueenMabby

is Green Finch and Linnet Bird too obvious for her? One of the most technical true soprano MT songs and significant challenge to work on. It goes in and out of fashion so she might know everyone is singing it or no one is touching it.

Others that come to mind:
I’ll Follow My Secret Heart
Many a New Day
The Glamorous Life (this character might be too old for her but I think there is room for interpretation if it sits beautifully in her voice)
What Only Love Can See

Thanks @CatatonicLadybug - I'll add these to the list.

She knows Green Finch and Linnet Bird but hasn't sung it.

Green finch and linnet bird is so good! What fun getting to choose.

DS just upgraded from a 1/8 to a 1/4 size violin and the difference in sound is unbelievable! He is absolutely delighted and has been playing non stop. He only had the 1/8 for 6 months - he is now 6.5.

Any idea how long the 1/4 will last him? We were able to trade it in at the shop and got half the value back, but at this rate of growth I think we would have been better off renting!

DD is 9.5 and still plays a 1/4 size. It depends on their arm length mostly I think. Hopefully it will last you a while, sounds like he is growing really fast!

Ah that’s good @indigopotion - hopefully will get a good while out of it then. He is 75th centile for height so tallish but has definitely had a growth spurt recently!

My 9 year old is 75 percentile for height and has just had to move up to a 3/4 violin this week. Apparently i can hope for it to last between 18 months and 3 years before she outgrows it 😬 new violin sounds lovely though!

I think cellos must last longer. Dd was on a 3/4 size cello at age 10 but has only this year moved up to a full size cello at age 15 1/2!

It can happen with violins too - DD was on 1/4 violin for I don't remember how long, maybe four years, and could only move to 1/2 just before 11.

I have a tall, long limbed 9 year old. Both of us parents are tall so i dont have much hope of the 3/4 lasting much more than 2 years realistically but i can hope!

We did use the 3/4 for 3 years, not because DD wasn't big enough for a full sized but because her 3/4 was nice so there was no urgency to switch. Bigger people can play smaller instruments, otherwise everyone over 6 foot would have to play the viola. The main incentive to move up is a bigger/better sound.

I think it's true it does often take longer to reach full sized on a cello. And some people never do and stick with a 7/8 sort of size, I've only come across one adult who played a 7/8 violin.