Hi all, Just found this New Members' site so am introducing myself! I have signed up for OU A214 and found that there is quite a lot of support for OU learners here.

Musical history, well, I had to give up music at School, too many subjects to do, and although wanted to learn the flute was told that I could not since children would be physically deformed if they tried to play an adult sized flute while they were still developing!! This to a teenager.

Anyway, when son decided to take Music O Level at night school because it could not be fitted into the school curriculum I joined up too and then later took Flute lessons for a couple of years plus Grade V Theory. But you know what it is like - a busy life, family commitments, and the flute took a back seat.

So a couple of years ago I went back to having flute lessons but am making slower progress, anno domini and all that: also, since I am taking a year out from work I have decided to make the most of the time and further my musical knowledge, hence the OU. Another pupil of my Flute teacher has just finished the Music Diploma with the OU and loved it although I have not had an opportunity to talk to her at any length.

It makes all the difference having your replies and knowing you are all out there: we're in this together and indeed, it is never too late.

Many thanks already to those of you who have given me a warm welcome and support and good luck with all your enterprises.

Welcome to the forums Sweffling. Whilst I am not into OU at my age, you are right that there are quite a lot of regulars who are.
You can get good advice on any musical subject, whether instrument or theory on here. And as there are often several replies , you get some different points of view too.
So get posting !

(PS I know that Sweffling is a small village in Suffolk, not too far from my wifes home town of Beccles, but you are clearly in Sheffield !)

Hello sweffling!

I hadn't heard of the village called Sweffling - I thought it must be something you did, like singing or clarinetting, but on a sweffle

Hope you enjoy it here

[quote name='fsharpminor' date='Dec 9 2009, 12:43 PM' post='903238']
Welcome to the forums Sweffling. Whilst I am not into OU at may age, you are right that theer are quite a lot of regulars who are.
You can get good advice on any musical subjecy, whether instrument or theory on here. And as there are often several replies , you get some different points of view too.
So get posting !

(PS I know that Sweffling is a small village in Suffolk, not too far from my wifes home town of Beccles, but you are clearly in Sheffield !)
[/quote

Thanks for the lovely welcome! I was brought up in a little village on the Herts/Essex border and had many happy holidays in Suffolk and Norfolk, hence the name. Husband's first job was in Leeds hence the move north. I feel there should be a verb 'To Sweffle', is sounds like a musical accident or a happy pig!




Thanks skylark. If you asked my flute teacher I am sure she would admit in private that on a bad day I sweffle a great deal, hence the puddle on the floor under the end of my flute.

Now we have another family coincidence as my daughter is in Sawbridgeworth !

This is getting very strange fsharpminor: perhaps something in the water in that part of the world?!
I lived in Braughing, off the A10, near Bishop's Stortford.

I once slipped and went flying on the sweffle I'd created with my clarinet



sweffling, my 'message tracker' says you haven't yet seen the PM (Private Message) I sent you - if you go to My Controls in the top left hand corner, then go the Inbox, you'll see a PM from me

to the forums! You'll find a few A214-ers on forum that you can share experiences with...

Have fun!

*waves* I live in B/S. Went to secondary school there too

Welcome to the forums and best of luck with your OU diploma!

So did I!! Herts and Essex High School. Had to cycle, then train, then coach, it took 2hrs to go 9 miles. Should have walked!




Thanks so much. I'm just at that lovely stage of feeling all fired up, efficient and productive even though all I have done is get enrolled, registered, and arranged my pencils nicely!! The reality will kick in soon enough.




Thanks for the welcome. I think I've found about six other A214-ers so far. I hope we're getting together on a thread over in Theory and Composition under "I've taken the plunge". Its very comforting not to feel so alone especially with testing times ahead!




Thanks so much for the welcome At the moment I only dare think ahead one course at a time! What kind folks you forum people are




Thanks skylark, I found it. I'll reply as soon as I work out how! I reckon there should be an emoticon for sweffle.

Hi Sweffling! Welcome to the forums (do you still talk posh, or have you picked up the local lingo? I worked for years in Sheffield). Look forward to seeing your posts.

Not as posh as I used to! Heard myself the other day and was shocked at how I had changed - but no short vowels yet. Been here since 1973 so perhaps they are not going to change now? Love Sheffield and the surrounding countryside: at first I did not want to come as all Sheffield meant to me was a bad smell on the M1 Just joined a local choir which sings the old Sheffield carols: did you hear them when you were here?

Old Sheffield carols - did I hear them? I've sung quite a few, and I have a copy of the "blue book" that Worrall Male Voice Choir used to flog at their concerts. I have also introduced my 4 piece group to a couple of them!

Ah, I should have guessed!! The musical world is pretty small. That famous blue book is still going strong. Only our conductor feels that the WMVC sings some far too slowly so whips us along at a spanking speed. Being new to the words and trying to sight sing the alto part while dodging up and down the page at speed to read them is hilarious often resulting in 'collapse of stout party' in helpless giggles. Not what a choir master requires.

I might offend a few by saying this, but WMVC are not the youngest about, and they sing at the comfortable speeds which they are used to - and they make a super sound! So I wonder why your conductor wants to increase the pace so much? Keep enjoying your singing!

I was told today that WMVC has a new conductor who is changing things greatly and it is he who has altered the speed and slowed them down. He is also not keen on the local carols which is why they are giving fewer local concerts. He wants them to concentrate more on the high classical pieces. Several members have left already. What a shame!

Look North has asked my choir to sing at Chatsworth on Monday to play the programme out. So 2 seconds of fame beckon

Oh wow! You'll have to watch your performance back on the iPlayer! Enjoy

One of my claims to fame was being asked to sing with a very small and select group inside Chatsworth at 11pm on Christmas Eve for the dowager Duchess and her immediate family and friends a few years ago. It was quite an experience and I was shown a door, hall and staircase not usually seen by paying guests!

Wow, I can't top that!

We had to wait until the Estate Children's Christmas Party had finished and Santa had left Then we did several pieces all through but only a little was shown, but in fact more than we had been expecting.

The only thing was that the coach took two hours to get there avoiding slippery roads, then we spent an hour while the sound checks etc. and rehearsals with the Duke were set up, and then an hour's journey home. And not even a cup of tea in sight. But it was a grand outing with everyone so cheerful on the coach and the countryside looking magical in the snow. Then the Duke had his photo taken with the choir so we must update our advertising: I reckon we should now be 'By Appointment' and begin to charge.

I did watch it on iPlayer bariclari and was neatly cut off the end in all shots how one has to suffer for one's art. However, we did not sound too bad which was a relief: we sang in the painted hall where the acoustics helped. The Christmas decorations were very splendid indeed but I think I rather preferred the low-key approach at Haddon Hall, more greenery and less glitter!

Aw, that's a pity : glad you enjoyed the performance though