Spring /Summer 25 - Music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

Time for a new thread for spring!

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.

I hadn’t thought about taking a piano/ keyboard to uni, like others my DD loves to play when stressed or for relaxation! Her violin is technically her first instrument but she almost never plays for pleasure!
if she gets into first choice uni there are lots of piano options but sounds like we should think seriously about a keyboard if she doesn’t.

Thanks all. We won't be getting a full-size keyboard, DC not a pianist and doesn't even have that at home, portability is more important, also midi compatibility would be good. However, weighted keys would be nice.

DD did LSSO (cellist). It was her 3rd study so she was never one of the stars of that section but got a lot of credit for being the 100% reliable one on the back desk. She had Grade 7 when she applied and really loved it. The tours were hard work but a lot of fun.

RE LSSO, DD2 is doing it at the moment.

I won't say too much as she's massively identifiable (niche instrument that is currently cluttering our living room).... but you're welcome to pm me. It's her first year.

DD also doing LSSO - again very identifiable but you can DM any questions.

Just received daughter's diploma certificate through the post, nice way to end one chapter. I hadn't ordered one one so it must be included at that level. Sad it doesn't have teacher's name though as previous one have ' presented by' even though that was on the form, they must have changed it.

Well done to your DD @horseymum that’s terrific news! That is a shame about the removal of ‘presented by’ - I think it’s lovely to have and also an honour for the teacher.

Thanks, the certificate was a nice surprise, hadn't got round to printing it out. Yes, be nice to have the teacher's name on it but nevermind.

Congratulations @horseymum - big milestone!

Have any of the Londoners gone with kids to any proms? DS and I went to a lovely baroque one on Sunday morning - was a great programme for him as lots of short exciting pieces, and a young violinist leading the ensemble. We’ve also got tickets for the Aurora’s Shostakovich by heart which I’m very excited about, and Joshua Bell as DS is a big fan (plus a few others for me and DH!). Feels like a big milestone to be able to take DS with me to concerts - this is the first year that his concentration levels have really allowed it!

@Compsearch - I went to the prom on Sunday morning - thought it was quite remarkable - they are broadcasting it on BB4 tomorrow evening - I can recommend it as a good watch. DD is going to Andreas Schiff with her father and we are all going to the Traitors prom on Saturday (hangs head in shame....). Also have tickets for NYO, Part at 90, the choral prom on 17 August and the Handel.

Londoners are so lucky to have this on their doorstep as it is a perfect way to introduce DC to concerts. We always started them in the Gallery for something that wasn't too busy so they could wriggle a bit if need be...

We’ve taken ours to the environmental one and the Dr Who one. They loved both. I really wish we lived in London during the summer! Fab intro to concerts.

@Compsearch how lovely! DD2 often goes with her music friends - she stands (of course) - and consistently bumps into loads of other mates there.

It's quite a niche teen scene, but if you see a bunch of earnest - but probably quite 'street' - looking youngsters with proper London accents earnestly discussing Shostakovich etc that's probably a lot of LSSO/LYWB kids and the older CYM ones.

The Traitors prom has seated tickets available on Central Tickets if people want cheapies - sadly we're busy.

We also saw Hadestown last night - cheap tickets for Kids Week. Would totally recommend. Brilliant music on stage - epic trombone, amazing singing, energetic dance. We do try to make the most of London in the summer where we can.

DS and I are off to see the Traitors Prom too on Saturday. I’m quite looking forward to it! DS goes to RCMJD and the same journey is much more enjoyable when we don’t have all his instrument and equipment to lug around 😅

Enjoy the traitors prom, my daughter's former bassoon teacher is playing in it! Hopefully it's on TV so we can watch him. We're going to the NYO one. Also going to hear the Aurora orchestra but in the Edinburgh International festival, really looking forward to that too, am in awe of the ability to do it from memory.
Anyone who is keen to hear NYO there are a few tickets for the Sunday morning relaxed prom and also some returns on twickets, and occasionally on the Albert Halls website. ( I'm still getting alerts even though I now have all I need).

Heard the Aurora Rite of Spring last year amazing feat of memory. I mentioed it to a friend who is a pro cellist and she said you can always spot the Aurora guys as they are the white faced panicked ones staring at their phones in breaks trying to memorise the score.....

Hope everyone is having a fun summer so far.

DS is in Belgium this week with LYWB. They had a concert yesterday which was part of the Ghent Festival so meant a full house to watch them which is really lovely. Am looking forward to the end of tour concert tomorrow night. Entire comms with DS since he left has been some emails where he writes like he’s texting in the 90s and is limited to 140 characters and tracking him via AirTag and revolut spending!

DD did a Harpsichord taster session today- she really enjoyed it though don’t think we will be adding a harpsichord to our house- probs means she won’t be taking it up but she did really enjoy learning about it and playing some 17th c music on it too! Think it’s good for her to learn about different period music though and how playing on harpsichords differs for her wider understanding. She heads off for a piano residential on Sunday for a week - sadly failed to get them both to go away at the same time!

If that’s Wells, can you let me know what it’s like?! Have one away with the NCO and one off to Viva next week.

It is - will report back. Tempted by Viva for her next year though so will see how it is

Lots of summer music here still to look forward to. NYO Proms, Aurora orchestra, me playing in a chamber orchestra I really need to practice for (it's strings only which means I'll definitely be heard instead of drowned out by the brass which is my preference!) going away for couple of days to York and hopefully going to Evensong or an organ recital. (wee change from the music style in our church!)
@northerngoldilocks if you want to see some good harpsichord, watch the prom by Le Consort on TV, they looked like they were having the best time playing together and loads of close ups of the harpsichord player.

Viva is amazing. Highlight of her year.

@northerngoldilocks agree with horsey re the Le Consort prom - Justin Taylor is one of the best harpsichordists around. Wells have several harpsichords so she should ask Mr Tong if she could have a go - he's so lovely (taught my DD) that he'll facilitate if he can.

Also if you are London based ours should be back in a few weeks time so she's welcome to come and try it.

Thanks all- @Londonmummy66 super nice of you. We are in London. Will see if she remains keen and get her to see if the wells ones are an option and if enthusiasm high after that . Won’t be good for the pieces she’s taking though- (Grieg wedding day and Glinka / Balakirev’s The Lark!) Will need to dig out some baroque options.

She also has a couple of duets to work through for the course next week if I could just drag her away from playing wicked and singing along (my husband picked it up from the Barbican library last week and it’s definitely the thing she wants to play most). Also REALLY need to get on with recording her audition for NCO. Even though the chances are probably slim for the residential weeks it seems a shame not to try.

@northerngoldilocks - let me know if she is still keen @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest has met me so should be able to confirm that I am not a child eating axe murderer.....................

@Londonmummy66 certainly did not eat my children, nor did she arrive with an axe (she also knows a lot about music)