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Extra-curricular activities

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

Spring /Summer 25 - Music thread

706 replies

northerngoldilocks · 14/02/2025 18:04

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.

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Londonmummy66 · 07/03/2025 12:09

Posted too soon meant to say there's also a sightreading book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Improve-your-sight-reading-Piano-Grade/dp/0571512453

Really useful books by a senior ABRSM examiner (he's also a really nice guy - I sat next to him at a dinner once).

Alwaysplayspicc · 07/03/2025 12:20

I second the recommendation of “Improve Your…” books. They are very easy to follow for students abd move gradually through the requirements for each grade, building up skills.
Another good sight reading aid is the “Joining the Dots” series.

As has been said, just sight reading something every time you practise - even just a few bars - will really improve it.

StuntNun · 07/03/2025 17:46

Thanks for the recommendations @Londonmummy66 and @Alwaysplayspicc he's doing Joining the Dots but has only recently got more consistent about doing it. I'll check out the scales one. He has his grade 3 Singing For Musical Theatre tomorrow then we'll be able to focus on piano. My 18yo took his grade 3 drum exam today as well but he reckons nerves got the better of him unfortunately. What I could hear of it sounded good but his tempo was erratic.

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 13:05

Hi, not specifically a music question but related to GCSE options for specialist musicians: how limiting Combined Science actually is, if anyone has experience of doing this to A Levels and uni? Also, is GCSE Physics really beneficial for Music Tech at A Level?

DD is doing three very different instruments at specialist school but is also in top set for maths, gets gold at maths challenges and is interested in sciences (more into bio/chem than physics). The school will almost certainly steer her towards Combined Science as three instruments are a huge workload in terms of practice time, but I'd really want to keep her options open so will probably have to top up some science with online gcse options. We have friends who are homeschooling for various reasons so I know there are options but I'm just wondering if three separate sciences are worth the struggle for specialist musicians?

Alwaysplayspicc · 08/03/2025 13:41

Unless they’re intending to specialise in a science subject post A levels, I’d say combined science is perfectly fine.
That said, the Tonnmeister course for music production requires physics A level, but general music production courses don’t.

hidingmystatus · 08/03/2025 14:02

yodaforpresident · 16/02/2025 12:54

@PhotoDad My DD has also looked at the choral singing at Oxbridge but is also considering the US, so further research required for us!

We have Grade 7s in clarinet and LAMDA acting this term which is keeping DD busy, along with the usual concerts and platforms - she is a boarder but I am there almost every week to see a performance which is lovely! Singing is moving along and building repertoire for her diploma and another Grade 7, in cello, next term.

@yodaforpresident My DD did her undergraduate degree and now is into her master's in the USA, at conservatoires. Happy to chat to you over PM or in here about it.

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 08/03/2025 14:11

@Ubertomusic I’d say not worth it- dd1 did the separates and dd2 does the musicians combined science… they go as fast as the triple set at school so have extra practice periods which she needs given she also has three instruments.

She was top set science at her old school and gets top grades in combined- she’s also top set maths. The musicians science set has a very wide spread of ability but the teachers seem able to teach to it so it’s not a problem. I think it only becomes a problem for less academic musicians who might struggle doing their science in less time.

for context my sister - a Cambridge engineer - did all her science a levels after combined science as that was all our school offered. it was fine- it really is just a couple more modules and no catch up needed. All the science teachers at school were happy for dd2 to take science a levels if she had wanted- she hasn’t opted to do so but that’s her choice.

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 14:22

Alwaysplayspicc · 08/03/2025 13:41

Unless they’re intending to specialise in a science subject post A levels, I’d say combined science is perfectly fine.
That said, the Tonnmeister course for music production requires physics A level, but general music production courses don’t.

Thank you, I haven't heard about the course yet as l'm only starting to plan for GCSE and exploring options. DD doesn't show any particular aptitude for tech subjects, I think I'm more concerned about non-music pathways closing down too soon... The whole family including grandparents are STEM professionals from maths to geology to bioscience so I still don't know what to do with DD's music...

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 14:49

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 08/03/2025 14:11

@Ubertomusic I’d say not worth it- dd1 did the separates and dd2 does the musicians combined science… they go as fast as the triple set at school so have extra practice periods which she needs given she also has three instruments.

She was top set science at her old school and gets top grades in combined- she’s also top set maths. The musicians science set has a very wide spread of ability but the teachers seem able to teach to it so it’s not a problem. I think it only becomes a problem for less academic musicians who might struggle doing their science in less time.

for context my sister - a Cambridge engineer - did all her science a levels after combined science as that was all our school offered. it was fine- it really is just a couple more modules and no catch up needed. All the science teachers at school were happy for dd2 to take science a levels if she had wanted- she hasn’t opted to do so but that’s her choice.

Edited

Thank you achangeofname! If they go as fast as triple set does that mean they have to skip some material or study in less depth?

Interesting re. Cambridge engineering - I wasn't particularly concerned about entry requirements but more about depth and breadth of knowledge. DS did pure maths and it's very straightforward but sciences (and I guess anything bio- especially) can be a different story I thought. I did lots and lots of extra work outside of school so don't really know how it would be for someone who only does sciences at school 🤔

She does violin practice at home so wouldn't need another time slot at school (I guess) and I'm not sure I will be sending her to board any time soon, she's not the most organised child 😂 We'll probably drop piano too when she does diploma, I guess that would be enough keyboard skills in her case.

(lots of "guesses" in my posts at the moment 😂 )

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 08/03/2025 17:35

@Ubertomusic popped over from other thread. Feel free to ask questions and I’ll try and answer!

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 18:45

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OhCrumbsWhereNow · 08/03/2025 19:39

It's annoying DMs are disabled, but I'll try not to be too outing. We're in a situation where DD has been offered a pathway that isn't actually available. This is entirely down to a few calls out of the blue from people high up in the industry who have heard her work and offered long term development support. Three years on... we are where we are with more than a few unintended consequences.

She's primarily a vocalist, mainly focused on pop and turned out to be very gifted at song-writing and composition. She's been lucky to fall into the hands of some amazing people who offered to teach and mentor her and so she's progressed at a rate that is not in-line with her age.

She has no interest whatsoever in anything classical, doesn't do things by the book and due to serious SEN a lot of pathways are not suitable for her. She's also wanted this since she was old enough to express her opinion and is very focused. She's incredibly fortunate that her abilities mean it's not a total pipe dream if she's prepared to work hard enough.

Unfortunately the pop world is unforgiving, especially for women, and if you haven't pretty much made it by 25 then you never will. For that reason, the advice we have been given is that we should continue to accelerate her. DD has a spreadsheet (my genes there!) of every major female artist that sets out their career progression and age at each stage and her own 5 year plan... god help us all!

She's shooting for the moon, so the path she is taking is also one that will give her a solid skill set that she can fall back on if plan A doesn't work out and she will be able to do a number of different things that she would enjoy almost as much.

It's been incredibly stressful and difficult as computer says no a lot and so rules are having to be bent to make it work. It will also need a lot of input going forward from me and the team she works with. I hope in the future I won't regret the choices that I am helping her make!

In terms of MT, it's good to graduate early as a dancer. Graduating at 19 is not necessarily a good plan for a singer as so much depends on how much previously training they have had and physical/vocal maturity. If MT was the main goal then I wouldn't be following this path at all.

From what I know of the classical world, I think you have some soloists who are doing incredibly well at a very young age. Some of DD's teachers (yep classical) were child prodigies - they're still doing well today. But talking to them, they didn't have normal or easy lives because of it... but have no regrets on what they missed of normal life. But being that one child who is good enough and has the emotional/mental capabilities to take that through into a successful adult career is a minuscule percentage of those who are on that pathway.

The majority of those who earn a living as classical musicians will be going through the normal routes at the normal time. And honestly that is probably the best pathway... especially today.

Much as with acting/MT nobody wants to have a child on set that they can't take to the pub, they can't swear in front of, everyone stressing about DBS checks and safeguarding etc. So you may be super talented but you're a pain to employ.

Also the case that people grow up - you spend your childhood being praised for being outside the norm, and then suddenly you're 25 and nobody is going 'wow' anymore. That has to be really hard to deal with. For that reason almost everything DD does is kept firmly behind the scenes.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 08/03/2025 19:44

I understand what you say about art and STEM and being torn. I was in a similar boat. Now manage to combine a bit of everything after years of going back and forth.

The main advice I would give is that everything must be driven by them. As a parent you can support, pay the bills (sigh) and be chauffeur, bag carrier, PA and so on. But if they are not driving it and pushing hard then there are a million other careers and options out there that are potentially far more lucrative and stable!

And nobody can stop you having fun with music - or art - and all kinds of levels in your spare time.

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 20:55

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achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 08/03/2025 21:37

@Ubertomusic I think they just have to make sure they do their homework and study outside lessons or they won't get very good grades! The syllabus finishes later and they have to be organised about revising and proactively seeking help.

DD2 is fortunately relatively organised - but then she's not a star musician or anything so the academics are more important for her than for lots of them.

And what I meant re the combined vs triple is that my sister really didn't struggle with not having done the separate sciences when she got to uni. But maybe the bio stuff is different. I'm not a scientist - at all - so I don't know.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 08/03/2025 22:08

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I have family members who went through White Lodge and RBS upper school. I was delighted that DD enjoys dancing for fun and never wanted it to be her focus. The only time I have ever been stage mum like though was insisting that she took a serious ballet class from 4-11. Then lockdowns and I didn't make her go back. But it gave her the basics. She now just does commercial for fun.

I would have had the same reaction as you btw. The likelihood of injury is so high and it's yet another very hard path.

I think your best bet is to just let your DD develop at her own pace, and see where her ambitions and interests lie. She obviously has a lot of talent and the potential for great academics as well. Given the very many disadvantages of being out of step, I would avoid that as much as possible unless you have no other valid options.

I've always said to DD that she can always change her mind. I will never resent a single penny I've spent on music. It's been an interesting journey and I've met some wonderful people that I would never have met (people would pay for me NOT to do anything musical). I'd be secretly a bit disappointed but it's not my life.

TikTok, hmmm. It definitely has it's place. I'm not massively keen on social media as a teenager though. There are lots of pathways to success and it's certainly a valid one, but also depends on the goals. I see the teen years as the time to focus on training rather than being out there and solid skills are more reliable than the fickleness of being the latest viral sensation (and most of those have actually put in a lot of hard graft). Same for TV shows.

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 22:10

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 08/03/2025 21:37

@Ubertomusic I think they just have to make sure they do their homework and study outside lessons or they won't get very good grades! The syllabus finishes later and they have to be organised about revising and proactively seeking help.

DD2 is fortunately relatively organised - but then she's not a star musician or anything so the academics are more important for her than for lots of them.

And what I meant re the combined vs triple is that my sister really didn't struggle with not having done the separate sciences when she got to uni. But maybe the bio stuff is different. I'm not a scientist - at all - so I don't know.

Yes, that was interesting to hear about your sister experience with combined science then A Level then Cambridge. There must be enough material covered then, it's good to know! DD would not be aiming for Oxbridge STEM, I don't think she's academic enough for that but it would be nice to be able to apply to other unis should she decides to.

She's not a star musician so has to keep her options open. There are some amazing children around managing multiple instruments, maths, sports, drama and whatnot, there's something to aspire to for sure, organisational skills first of all 😂

Ubertomusic · 08/03/2025 22:34

Thank you for your advice @OhCrumbsWhereNow. I have no experience of accelerated learning even though DS is very gifted in maths as often the case for high functioning ASD. He still went to school without skipping years and only did some extras on the side.
DD is not as gifted as DS and very much enjoys the social side of orchestras so it's probably better to leave her be 😁

bendmeoverbackwards · 09/03/2025 00:03

NimbleFox · 28/02/2025 17:12

@bendmeoverbackwards Nice piece choices! I did Prince of Denmarks march back in the day (and would have probably fluffed the A, I've only ever been 50/50 on them). Looking at the lists I also did Tequila Sunrise and Prairie song for a grade 5 but the rules were different back then as list C was always a study.

Good luck with the banding! If you're not already playing on the front row, that will do wonders for your range if you want to continue with exams. As I'm lazy my sweet spot is a 1st/2nd section band on back row which means I get to play interesting and challenging parts without having to have a high range.

Update - decided to defer exam till the summer, I’m just not ready and want to go in feeling confident. Definitely the right decision, those extra months will make all the difference.

Im also doing Prairie Song! That ones in decent shape.

MockCroc · 11/03/2025 10:01

bendmeoverbackwards · 28/02/2025 13:37

Hello, hope it’s ok for me to join, not for a child but for me!

I am an adult cornet player. I played piano and clarinet as a child/teen but have always loved brass and took up the cornet about 3 years ago. I did grades 1, 2 and 3 in one year, all with merit. Skipped grade 4 as I didn’t like the pieces and am now doing Grade 5 in 3 weeks time! However the jump is huge and I am struggling with high notes and stamina. I’ll be lucky to get a pass but I just want to get it over and done with now.

Any other brass players on here?

Just to say I love this! I played strings and piano as a child but the idea of picking up something new as an adult really appeals to me so thank you for dropping in to say this. Once we are a little further past spending our spare time arguing with the children over practising and driving them all over the place I might be inspired to do something similar. I've always watched brass and concert bands jealously - you don't get to have the same kind of fun in strings!

bendmeoverbackwards · 11/03/2025 14:10

Do it @MockCroc Im really enjoying playing in band and have met lots of nice people.

Ubertomusic · 11/03/2025 14:39

MockCroc · 11/03/2025 10:01

Just to say I love this! I played strings and piano as a child but the idea of picking up something new as an adult really appeals to me so thank you for dropping in to say this. Once we are a little further past spending our spare time arguing with the children over practising and driving them all over the place I might be inspired to do something similar. I've always watched brass and concert bands jealously - you don't get to have the same kind of fun in strings!

you don't get to have the same kind of fun in strings!

So true! 😂

StuntNun · 11/03/2025 20:38

My DS is gutted with a mark of 127 for his grade 3 Singing For Musical Theatre. He was expecting to get a distinction. We haven't seen the mark sheet yet but he's totally demoralised. He won't be cheered up by being told that 127 is a merit and still a really good score.

Compsearch · 11/03/2025 20:41

@StuntNun 127 is fantastic! He’s clearly very good so can also see why he is disappointed. How old is he? Hopefully the mark scheme will shed some light on it.

On taking up instruments as an adult - I’m going to learn the viola when the kids are bigger so that I can (attempt to) play in a string quartet. It’s been a dream for many years now!

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