My parents have been sent a letter in the post from school about me being identified as one of the school's most able students in music. Identification being a student "who's attainment is roughly what we would expect of a good student two years older and expected to excel in a career involving music."

As well as the school providing what they call "extension activity / opportunity" my parents have been asked to encourage my interest in music "helping me to go beyond the school curriculum". My parents have not the slightest idea how to go beyond the school curriculum. My Dad is uneducated himself, cannot read and write beyond an infant child and is a labourer. My Mum does not have musical knowledge but would support me and help me in anything she could. We live in North London so have access to the West End but not much spare money available, although Nan helps us out.

My Mum would like to know if any of you teachers here have identified such students and what exactly we can do as a family to "encourage my interest in music beyond the school curriculum" as we don't want to ask the school too many questions at once.

Also if any of you know of musical schemes, concerts, opportunities, workshops anything that crops up in the London area at weekends suitable for a 13 year old trumpet player, could you let me know. I suspect that is what the school is suggesting. Any ideas would be greatly greatly received. Thank you.

Hi mikeyc and congratulations on being recognised as promising! I don't live in London, so can't give any specific advice, but would suggest that you look into your county orchestras, bands etc. If you are interested in jazz trumpet NYJO meets in London on Saturdays so might be an option. Your teacher should be able to point you in the right direction. One of my most promising students has just started at one of the college junior departments, so if you are really serious about music this might be worth looking at - financial help is available for those who need it. Good luck!

Well done on having your talent recognised. Do you play in any bands outside of school. Our Music Service have a good selection of Ensembles and Bands for pupiis to join. You might find a brass banmd in your area that you can participate in.

Good luck wiht ifnding suitable things ot participate in.

Congratulations, and why not go ahead and ask your school/teachers for more information? I'm sure they will be delighted you're interested in following up on the letter.

Oops, sorry, that was Viohazard's Mum talking, not Viohazard!

His school teachers are encouraging, and he seems to appreciate it even when he ignores their advice !

I've played with the concert band of a local authority music education service for 4 years. I actually gave it up 4 weeks ago because I felt I'd outgrown it.

I lead a church worship group every Sunday and also visit an old people's home once a month with the church to provide a service for those residents.

I'm in 4 bands at school (brass, lower school brass, senior brass and concert band) but I think the school mean learning about different types of music and just extending myself. I've been told just now that the Southbank in London have free concerts some weekends to go and listen to blues and jazz. That's quite interesting. I don't think the school just meant about playing, but just enriching myself.

My daughter finds that sometimes she plays something with one of her music groups and this leads to discovering other similar types of Music for herself. You do seem to be active so it is more likely that your school are encouraging you to think of other ways to enhance your progress.

I would certainly be asking the teachers for advice or indicators of where that advice might come from if I were you or your parent. Could you get information form the Music Service too?

Can't really offer any specific advice, London's not my area, but just wanted to say congratulations. Also to say how lucky you are to have a school which has picked up on this, and to have parents who are willing to help to the best of their ability.

Free concerts would be good, chatting to people may get you other opportunities. Try the local libraries, they may have information about anything going on, make friends with the staff at your favourite music shop, stop and listen to buskers (chat to them, too, when they're having a break). Borrow lots of CDs from the library, don't just keep to the type of music you already know and understand. Ask your music teacher if you can borrow any resources like CDs - they may be prepared to lend their own personal ones.

Perhaps some sort of diary or scrapbook of all the things you've done would be a good idea - you can show it to your teachers and look back and see what you've listened to and learnt.

Good luck!

Congratulations on being recognised!! I have two children who are musically challenged, the school isn't very helpful but the music service have given them lots of enrichment through area/county bands/ensembles. They also attend numerous music residentials during the year. As you can imagine this all cost money but there are places where you can go to help fund your courses PM me if you want more info.

You might like to chat with my 12year old son. He passed grade 7 trumpet with distinction in the summer when he was only 11. He can tell you what he's involved in and what he likes and listens too if you think that would help??! He also took grade 5 theory this term and has just received his results. Good luck.

Congratulations. That's great news. One idea might be to ask if you might attend some of the concert rehearsals in your area. Another thought is that some musc teachers might let you sit in on some of their lessons. You can pick up all sorts of ideas from both of those situations.

Well done. Great news.