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.

We have used that software for a different proctored test and the room scan is so painful - we had to buy a separate webcam as ours is built into the computer. I was very grateful that she took her theory exam in school after that experience!

Both DC just did their end of course Orchestra concert so now finally time for instruments down for a week of holiday. DD really enjoyed orchestra this week - she's moved up a section and seems to be really loving it. DS less so, but think its all pieces dependent and whether they have a good flute part. Its a shame as he used to really love it, so hoping the next course is better for him.

Well, yesterday was gcse results and concert day of orchestra course!

Good day - 9 for music. And a few others, including stellar mark for drama, which is making him think he should do it as a fourth A level. 🤔

Concert astounding. Four days of rehearsal, and no one over 18, and sounded like a professional orchestra.

Well done to your ds both on the results and the concert!

dd is the same - gcse results yesterday (all amazing) and a concert tonight for her orchestra course! The residential was definitely a good distraction in the run up to results day.

This is the first time for dd that she’s playing a full symphony. She’s finding it quite tough on the arms (cello) but is having a lot of fun.

Well done on the fantastic GCSE results. I hope they've all enjoyed their orchestra courses.

DD is currently on the Rodolfus choir course. I'm sure she's having a great time, but I wasn't prepared for how much I would miss her. She's called a couple of times, but I only get a couple of minutes of chat before it becomes clear she would rather be spending time with her new friends than filling her mum in on what she's been up to. I'm sure you're all veterans of residential music courses - I just wanted to share with people who would understand!

@TreeAtMyWindow glad they are enjoying it. I generally work on the ' no news is good news' principle. We are lucky to get the odd text, a phone call is very rare!

Hello, does anyone have recommendations (other than ESO) for an October half term music residential - ideally orchestral or concert band? G8 level. Thanks

Hello, does anyone have recommendations (other than ESO) for an October half term music residential - ideally orchestral or concert band? G8 level. Thanks

Sorry, another question. Does anyone know when NYO Inspire sends out invitations and what the offers tend to be? New to it. Thanks

@MockCroc quite late for inspire in our experience! It's usually one day near end of October. Ours have been Lancaster but I think they do other places. They need to go to it to be considered for anything else. I think it's been weekend days but I can check back. Mine have enjoyed it and it's definitely led on to other things.

Thanks @horseymum . We had the email from Inspire saying she has been accepted but nothing since. Maybe something will come through in September. She’s keen to do something musical in October half term but I can’t find much happening.

Thanks @horseymum . We had the email from Inspire saying she has been accepted but nothing since. Maybe something will come through in September. She’s keen to do something musical in October half term but I can’t find much happening.

DS has belatedly applied for the Rodolphus Choir auditions next week. Has to prepare an unaccompanied song. Any ideas? He hasn't done a singing grade since 6, when he was a treble!

If any London based singer aged 9-18 are looking for a fun and rewarding challenge this Autumn term London Youth Opera are still open for registration. Our dd (grade 6 singer) has done it for many years and loves it!

My two always did the Skye Boat Song - good for demonstrating breath control and leaps.

Ooh that's a nice idea @Londonmummy66! Is it 'advanced' enough?

Great to hear all the Rodolfus attendees, DD was very sorry to have had to miss it this year. They really are a lovely group.

DD sang She’s Like the Swallow for her G6 singing unaccompanied and also used it for G7 and G8. Good for showing pitch and breath control and expression. She scored 20 or 21 with it every time.

Thanks for the suggestions! I've found a PDF of suggested audition songs for Cambridge choral scholarships, so have sent it to DS for his perusal! Full of folk songs like Waly Waly, Sally Gardens etc, so that genre seems the way forward!

One of mine did it for Grade 8 and scored well - if you do it properly it's quite tricky with the leaps at the ends of phrases - and if you pay attention to the punctuation there are some long lines eg Carry the lad that's born to be king over the sea to Skye all in one breath etc. Also gives plenty of opportunity for de4monstrating expression dynamics and telling a narrative.

Very good points @Londonmummy66! I realise my question might have sounded rude. Apologies if so! I just meant as it's not a 'complex' song, would people know how hard it is to do well, iyswim. But I'm sure the audition panel at Rodolphus know their onions.

It didn't sound rude and was a fair comment - I think its harder than some of the ones on the Cambridge list though!

Off topic as not school related extra curricular but I actually was there for this performance and the Danish choir and orchestra were wonderful. I couldn’t agree more that the BBC needs a radical rethink on this front - it’s shameful that all of the proms aren’t available to watch for the season at least.

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/aug/20/why-doesnt-the-bbc-blaze-the-glories-of-its-orchestras-year-round-not-just-at-the-proms

I know you're all agog - he's decided to sing Early One Morning. So, we'll see!

@herbaceous and @QueenMabby congrats to yours on GCSE results. DD2 is also extremely pleased with hers, which unlock every possible option for the next stage.

Her summer project has been to record a Grade 5 performance piano exam. She has no lessons and started teaching herself just over a year ago, passing Grade 3 last summer, so we're not expecting stellar marks, but it would be nice if she got it over the line as some of her options for Higher Ed would like piano at Grade 5 standard from non-pianists.

Awaiting results with some trepidation, but with some hope of a certificate she can wave at people rather than being given a 'keyboard skills' test.

fingers crossed @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest - hopefully will be fine but it is a tall order! DD1 would be happy to help if it doesn't go to plan.....