Grade 5, Does result affect future opportunities? Options

[ViolaMum]

That's great. You've definitely got a really caring and committed teacher there and yes, that can be a factor in choosing your back up plan school for your son. Daugher will be continuing with all her same music teachers when she goes to Secondary School after the summer and I know that will make the transition easier for her. So lovely to hear your son's talents appreciated. We've been appreciating him on forum for a long time - he's obviously got real talent and works hard as well. Very pleased for you all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

Awww thanks! We still think it's hard work rather than talent. Maybe we don't give him enough credit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) But as the Mum of a 9 year old boy, who sometimes drives me mad, it's difficult to see him as others do!! I watched him playing the other day and his fingers were flying about all over the place producing a fantastic hornpipe. I said in amazement "I can't understand how you know where to put your fingers", he replied "Neither do I"!!! It's all I can do to bow the 4 open strings!!!

Still feeling chilled and happy - not sure it can last much longer!!! Maybe I'm coming down with something! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

[MusicalNitWit]

Cannot possibly work out the anagram but Tondeafmum? "I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) you!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[ViolaMum]

Cannot possibly work out the anagram but Tondeafmum? "I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) you!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Well obviously its DTM....or was it MDT....or TMD..... shall we just call her The Wise One! Or even TWO for short?!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[tonedeafmum]

Cannot possibly work out the anagram but Tondeafmum? "I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) you!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Well obviously its DTM....or was it MDT....or TMD..... shall we just call her The Wise One! Or even TWO for short?!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Possibly a wise old owl but rather more a Twit than a Twoo.

Did you hear the one about the dyslexic devil worshipper?
He sold his soul to Santa.

[Claudia's Mum]

Um ... you need to have done Grade 5 violin by 10 or what ..? I think maybe you need to clarify that. Quite bemused non musical mother here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Not my opinion at all because I don't know anything about these things, just what we were told by head of music, music teacher etc.

I think they were just trying to get across the fact that violin is very competitive so not to be disappointed if things don't happen. They do take age into account in things like to NCO because the orchestras are age banded.

[tonedeafmum]

Um ... you need to have done Grade 5 violin by 10 or what ..? I think maybe you need to clarify that. Quite bemused non musical mother here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Not my opinion at all because I don't know anything about these things, just what we were told by head of music, music teacher etc.

I think they were just trying to get across the fact that violin is very competitive so not to be disappointed if things don't happen. They do take age into account in things like to NCO because the orchestras are age banded.

My concern and confusion about this has launched a whole thread on 'Strings' - your head of music, music teacher etc would appear not to post there. On reflection, and reading what the 'Strings' guys have said, I now believe that Grade 5 at 10 does matter - but only when you're 10. In the longer term there is much more time for things to even out.

[all ears]

The one good thing about living in Japan and using the ABRSM system is that I get to see more than one musical education culture at work. My enlightened conclusion is that neither those who say "must be achieving at a young age" and those who say "carpe diem" are completely right. Certainly not right in all circumstances, and for most of us, having only one iteration of each kid, hindsight is the only way to be sure that we got it right in even one set of circumstances.

Conclusion: you can only do what seems best at the time. You can ask for advice and listen to it carefully, and make the best decision possible AT THAT TIME...but you can't rewind. Luckily, though, you get all kinds of unexpected second chances in life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) .

For example, I had no idea that violin aroused such strong emotions in people when DS took it up. If I'd known, I would have forced him to play the banjo. But luckily I didn't know, and so, despite many wagging fingers, he has enjoyed violin in his own infuriating way.

[tonedeafmum]

For example, I had no idea that violin aroused such strong emotions in people when DS took it up. If I'd known, I would have forced him to play the banjo. But luckily I didn't know, and so, despite many wagging fingers, he has enjoyed violin in his own infuriating way.

It's true! Violins make people do the wacky (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) ! Daughter only plays the violin because the school offered that or something blowy (can't remember now if it was flute or clarinet) and I didn't want to have to deal with spit! And now I have my son saying he wants to learn it too! And he was so set on a guitar .... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)