Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

Time for a new thread as the old one is filling up and think we can claim its spring now!

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.

Yes @678sockswe’ve done things like this and it’s been allowed. Other parents have for sport etc too.

@chocolateisnecessary thank you, fingers crossed then, they can be a bit tricky!

@678socks - we did it for years twice a week to get to cathedral choir practice

How should I phrase it? I am sure they wouldn’t want a longer lesson in school so this is the way to achieve that… whilst they celebrate musical achievement it isn’t a big thing (unlike sport), probably because so few do it… so not exactly a big priority for them.

I’d just casually phrase it. ‘Would it be okay if I took her out a bit early’ etc. Or just tell them you’re doing it!

@678socks this is v common in my kids state primary for things ranging from sport to ballet to art club (none of which are priorities for the school) - I’m sure won’t be an issue.

We’ve started looking for a cello teacher for my little one (who is 5 so not that little anymore!) and not sure how we are going to fit everything in next year!

Is she currently learning in school? That potentially gives you leverage.

As you may be aware, X is learning the kazoo, is making great progress and [insert achievement here]. As a result she will need a longer lesson. We're reluctant to do this in school and miss more lesson time.

We have been offered the possibility of a lesson after school - this would however require her to leave reliably promptly. Would it be possible for her to come out at [5 minutes early] on a Tuesday to avoid getting tangled up in the queue?

Happy to discuss etc etc.

Schools are generally friendlier about leaving 5 minutes early than arriving 5 minutes late, child just needs to pack up efficiently and isn't missing any instructions.

Exciting to have a new musical beginning! 5 is still tiny! When you only have teens left, the little 5 yr olds look like toddlers going into school.

@thirdfiddle thank you that is amazing. Am coming to the end of a qualification so a bit brain dead at the moment. They do get hung up on precedent so that might be the main issue….but then last time they made a fuss and then allowed on a case by case literally no one else has asked…

@Compsearch ah how exciting! My cellist didn’t start until 6, school rules.

@678socks she will be almost 6 when she starts in September (year 1). My DS was 6 when he started violin and I think it’s a good age! DD is much less obviously musical than DS but much more focused and compliant so will be very interested to see how she develops!

We’re thinking of hiring a cello rather than buying because they seem so expensive for the fractional sizes - is that a good idea or am I missing anything?

Dd is 17 and has been playing since she was 9. We rented one through school which was where she had her lessons. 1/2 size then 3/4 size. It was fine. They grow so inconsistently we didn’t want to buy anything and find she’d outgrown it in a year or so! As it happens she was through the half size quickly but was with the 3/4 size for ages. We rented a full size for a while before buying.

Thank you - good to know! Yes renting seems a lot more sensible. DS had 3 violins in 18 months - 1/8 to 1/2 size - so slightly regretted buying though at least they were cheap to start with and the shop let us trade them in! I think he will be on a half for a while now. Cellos seem to be about 3x the price unfortunately!

@Compsearch - we hired the first cello for DD and then bought a secondhand for half and 3/4 size - secondhand fractional cellos can be cheaper than renting but until you know that they are going to take to it there is little point in buying. Worth asking the teacher if they know of any that are OK and being sold off though. We actually made a profit when we resold the 3/4....

I feel your pain on the costs relative to a violin though....

A good age! Yes definitely rent first, we bought our first cello at 3/4 size and only because the rentals weren’t good enough unless we spent more on renting than buying. Plus I have at least one more cellist coming through. We might need a 7/8ths as the current 3/4 player is diddy 😂

@Compsearch how gorgeous - a diddy cellist! You'll be able to have little family ensembles. Well, as long as they aren't like my kids who fought like anything if I tried to make them play anything together! I'm sure they're not.

I always feel like I'm tempting fate coming on here before DD has exam results back, so I've been keeping well away, but she's just had the marks for her ARSM bassoon diploma. 47/50 distinction. Face-to-face.

And exhale.

.... does it ever get easier waiting for these?

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarestHuge congratulations to the extraordinary result! Truly phenomenal, after last term’s two exams in one week. She must be so good at working under pressure!
DS is also waiting for his piano exam - I hope it’s easier too (on me, he doesn’t seem to care much :)
DS enjoyed his second NCO weekend last weekend. He says it felt much easier than the first weekend. I can also tell from his body language from the concert that’s he’s enjoying it a lot more and much more relaxed. I’m so happy that he had a great time there.
@Compsearchhow exciting to have a new instrumentalist in the family. Hope she enjoys music as much your DS does!

Amazing result @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest she must be thrilled!

@chickentikkasalad glad your DS enjoyed the NCO projects weekend. DD is working through the excerpts for her summer NCO residential- mainly seems to involve saying 'why is it all so high' - which you'd think would be standard when you play violin!

Good luck to those still waiting for exams /exam results. DS looking likely to finally do gr 8 on piano in December - which is probably the best option re GCSEs etc - think we're done then as DD refusing to do any violin grades ever or piano ARSM but she's still young so maybe will change her mind on the latter.

Wonderful result @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest - really happy for her.

I'm sorry to say it never gets any easier - I had to sit through DD's first year masters recital last week and it was terrifying. I was far more nervous than she was.....

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarest brilliant news! Mine managed to play together once at a festival….never again…!!

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarest- that’s an amazing result. Well done your dd!

Dd has had a vocal masterclass today which is helpful as she’s doing her g7 singing exam next month along with her g8 cello. I’m hoping they go OK but not much practising is happening at the moment so we’ll see.

Oh wow huge congrats @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest - incredible result!

@chickentikkasalad that is great re NCO. DS has been practising for his video audition but both pieces are still quite ropy in some respects…still have a few weeks until the deadline but not holding out massive hope.

DD has had cello slightly inflicted on her as DH sees the potential for a family trio (guess I’ll just watch?!). Will be so interesting to see how she develops as she is so different from her brother. I feel she is a natural wind player but time for that later on!

Waiting for degree results here, very stressful. Confident that all practical elements will be passed but it’s all riding on passing the written project- something he hasn’t managed in any of the three previous years.

I didn't even know they had those at conservatoire @Siriusmuggle - fingers very much crossed for him!

I’m not holding out much hope for my Ds having passed the written part to be honest.