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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Autumn / Winter 24 - music thread

954 replies

northerngoldilocks · 02/09/2024 17:59

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.

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horseymum · 24/01/2025 20:11

Congratulations on the reserve offer. There will be lots of movement just now as people are currently making their final decision. The deadline is the 8th February I think so maybe you would hear some time after that? I don't know the percentage likelihood of it converting to the offer of a place. I think you have time to wait and see as uni decisions are not due for a while either. There's also the option of a gap year and re audition if the feedback is positive and would suggest that was a good plan.

Guest385 · 24/01/2025 20:33

@horseymum thank you. I wasn’t sure of the date for reply’s. Child just accepted it as only applied to one and couldn’t remember the deadline date! Good idea on feedback, we hadn’t thought to ask. Should we ask at this stage or is it better to wait?
I suggested a gap year too, but that didn’t get a positive response, then again this is the same person who didn’t want to apply to a conservatoire but would now like to go!!

Alwaysplayspicc · 25/01/2025 09:57

I think it’s reasonable to say that a lot of applicants who got conservatoire offers will be holding more than one - it’s pretty standard to apply to several conservatoires, and if you’re good enough for an offer from one, you’re likely to get offers from others. (Obviously that’s not a certainty and it does depend on which conservatoires you’ve applied to, but it’s very common for the top applicants).

You have nothing to lose by accepting a reserve place and there’s every chance of movement that will turn it into a firm offer, so definitely worth doing.
Good luck!

Londonmummy66 · 25/01/2025 13:56

I agree - (masters rather than undergrad) but DD is sitting on 3 at the moment will pass on the places she doesn't want shortly but is also looking at a couple of international schools who haven't started their audition process yet. So there is likely to be quite a bit of movement this week, then again in a couple of months when Europe makes offers. There will then be more movement on results day (eg someone might sit on an offer for RAM whilst also holding a uni offer for eg Oxbridge so the RAM is a back up for Oxford etc).

Guest385 · 25/01/2025 17:28

Thanks, for now I guess patience is needed. See what happens in the next few weeks. Would be lovely to have a choice between uni and C.

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 28/01/2025 18:22

We've had a very confusing week musically - DD does an ensemble at school which is great. Probably the most challenging thing she does as its a small group so v 'exposing'. After Christmas one of the players didn't turn up for a couple of weeks and then his mum eventually sent a note saying that it was too much on top of other commitments so he wasn't doing it. Lots of wondering if there was anyone else to take over - DD could take on his part but then would mean no one to do hers, so all not ideal. Agreed with the teacher that he would cover that part as the piece they're doing this term is really beautiful and the others have already started working on it / are keen to do it. Then this week the kid who apparently didn't want to do it turned up and seemingly had no idea that his mum had suggested he wasn't doing it. He hasn't learnt the piece at all, but now perhaps is back. Fingers crossed he is though as there wasn't a long list of potential replacements and he is pretty good.

I've also had a few discussions about DD's weekend strings group along the lines that she was maybe outgrowing it now - the initial feedback was that there was lots for her there but now its hopefully sounding like they'll be adding a more advanced violin group so fingers crossed that will work better for her now.

Meanwhile DS's flute teacher has suggested a couple of extra Gr8 pieces - can't decide if its to stop him getting bored before the summer of if she just hates the ones he's doing. Might have to ask her directly!

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Happydaysandhappysmiles · 30/01/2025 22:47

Can anyone suggest a good music stand for rehearsals? We have tiger ones at home but they are big and bulky to carry around and DS is struggling with stand, cello, rucksack etc. Thanks

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 30/01/2025 23:18

All the foldable ones are pretty similar - they all seem to break over time. I've recently got DS a significantly lighter one (it was on a black friday sale) as CYM really irritatingly is a music school that doesn't provide music stands at one of their sites (its constantly irritating) and he has to carry everything around all day.

I think it was this one, but if you're not looking for something thats noticably lighter (and maybe with a cello it doesn't matter anyway) you could just get any of the folding ones.

RAT Scherzo2 Lightweight Folding Music Stand with Carry Bag. Just Flutes

RAT Scherzo2 Lightweight Folding Music Stand with Carry Bag. Just Flutes

Very lightweight folding music stand The Scherzo stand is a high quality portable music stand made of aluminium, weighing little more than half as much as other folding music stands of this type. Fast secure delivery.

https://www.justflutes.com/shop/product/rat-scherzo2-lightweight-folding-music-stand-carry-bag

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Ubertomusic · 30/01/2025 23:49

Is it really longer than other stands when folded @northerngoldilocks ? I'm always looking for the most lightweight gear and our main stand is RAT and it's perfect but reviews on Amazon say the folding one is longer than eg K&M?..

Happydaysandhappysmiles · 31/01/2025 07:25

Thank you, light would be good too. We got sturdy stands originally as I remember having so many problems with folding stands falling over at rehearsals etc but these big stands also take ages to take apart etc (especially when you are relatively little) and we are always trying to be quick to get home and get him into bed asap.

Happydaysandhappysmiles · 31/01/2025 07:27

Also stand light recommendations would be great too!! Thanks

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 31/01/2025 09:12

Having checked the order history - its actually a different stand that we have

Uberlite U200U-BK "Swift Ultra" Lightweight Music Stand and Carry Bag

Its good - was under £30 and seems sturdy enough for a lightweight stand

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Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 31/01/2025 09:14

we have a stand light - just got one from amazon - the rechargeable ones that can also plug in. Its great on the more robust Tiger stands. Wouldn't recommend it on a foldable stand though! You can get smaller lightweight ones for those.

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Happydaysandhappysmiles · 31/01/2025 09:17

Thanks both @northerngoldilocks any idea which one? I would be using on the tiger stands, they don’t need lights at rehearsals. Thanks

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Thehigherthehair · 01/02/2025 12:13

Hi all, longtime lurker of this thread, which has been very beneficial and now hoping you might be able to provide some help on Specialist School Interviews. DS is 9 years old and plays Violin and Piano and is extremely musical. Last year, he attended a taster day at a Specialist Music School near us, which he loves and would be a good fit for him. We live nearby and it would not be boarding.

The school contacted us after the Taster day, saying very kind things about him but also if he is interested, they would love to begin the admission process next year (which would be this year). They said they would like to see that he is progressing well on his primary instrument (violin) and has a desire to be at the school. While rather vague, we have no idea what progress they are looking for, but he has worked very hard over the last year to continue to improve and he still really wants to attend the school.

While DS is very musical, he is rather shy and horrible at answering questions particularly with any questions that may ask him what is favourite is, (such as music artist, composer…). I would like to help him out and gently prepare him for any questions and was wondering what sort of questions your children may been asked in interviews. I am thinking the obvious, why do you want to go here, what music so you like to listen to, what hobbies do you have, what do you like about your instrument, but are there others that I may be missing? I appreciate any help you could provide a clueless mum.

indigopotion · 01/02/2025 12:51

@Thehigherthehair Two of mine have been very happy at specialist music school. You've got the right idea re: interview questions. I would also add they will likely ask him to talk about his practice. This ties in with the idea that they want to see that he is progressing. I think they need to assess that the kids have the discipline and desire to do the daily work required to improve pretty rapidly. They may not need him to talk about what his favourites are, but it would be good for him to be able to name some things he likes and why. I know he is young but I think they also want to get a sense that kids are serious about pursuing music when they grow up, and it's more than a hobby.

Ubertomusic · 01/02/2025 19:37

My DD auditioned at 10 @Thehigherthehair, I've just asked her but all she remembers are questions about her favourite styles and her practice. We didn't prep for the interview as I wasn't aware there would be one 😂 and DD is not the most chatty person either, but apparently it didn't matter much.

I guess for the younger ones they are looking for a genuine love of music and intrinsic motivation, otherwise I think it would be difficult to sustain the workload in the long run, especially on violin and piano.

Thehigherthehair · 01/02/2025 20:18

Thank you both so much, that is very helpful and reassuring.

GeneralMusings · 02/02/2025 15:07

I'm not musical but do work in teaching and I think sometimes "favourite" questions can be overwhelming. Some people over analyse "favourite" and think we'll I love X but Y I liked last week and mayve Z with the orchestra...

Maybe teaching him it's okay to answer with "one I like a lot is...."

And explaining when people ask for a favourite it doesn't always mean favourite they just want to hear you talk about something you love or are passionate about.

Ie favourite food.... Well do they mean sweet/savoury:party food/every day food... Can be overwhelming.

So knowing it's okay just to go for "I love cheese" and then talk about cheese. Rather than weighing up the relative merits.

RangerDavina · 03/02/2025 13:01

Any thoughts on Music degrees at York and Royal Holloway? DS holding uni offers and these are his preferred choices

chocolateisnecessary · 03/02/2025 13:32

RangerDavina · 03/02/2025 13:01

Any thoughts on Music degrees at York and Royal Holloway? DS holding uni offers and these are his preferred choices

I think, given what's happened with music at Cardiff University recently and the music course, I'd try and find out the financial position of both universities if you can/any rumours re cuts or restructuring.

RangerDavina · 03/02/2025 14:24

Agree, but it's very hard. We asked pointed questions when visiting, but nobody would tell the truth if there was a problem, so how can you tell - especially when everyone has issues. They both talked of recent investment in the area.

Guest385 · 03/02/2025 15:13

DD has an offer for RH, but will probably firm and insure two different unis. We visited York and for what's its worth I preferred York's music department over RH. DD didn't like the campus at York, so didn't apply in the end. I do remember the talk at RH stressing their links to other UofL institutions including RAM. They also talked about other industry links. RH new recording studio was also a head turner.

RangerDavina · 03/02/2025 16:50

Thanks Guest385, and I would concur. (Apart from, in our case, York both City and campus were a big hit).