Music

I haven't written about Mulan and Miya's music learning this year.  Time for an update.

First of all Miya.

Miya is continuing at Belmont Music Centre this year.  It's her fifth year there, and last year she was fourth year recorder and third year violin.

BMC is set up to introduce music to children, focusing mostly on the first three years of learning an instrument.  Miya has got to the point with both recorder and violin that this year the most advanced classes for these instruments would be too easy and slow for her.

So, Miya decided to try some new instruments.

She would have loved to start the saxophone, but unfortunately there weren't enough student enrolments so BMC couldn't put on a class.

Instead, Miya decided to start both the clarinet and trumpet.  She also decided to enrol in the level 2 keyboard class (she had previously learnt a bit of piano with Nainai).  And finally, Miya is continuing in the string band, playing the violin.

In other words, Miya is learning four different instruments at BMC!

During the week Miya practices all four instruments, plus continues playing her recorder.  Her general approach is to play two different instruments every day.  Miya organises this entirely herself.  My only involvement is that I remind Miya that if she wants to learn something, then it's important to put the time in and do it most days.  Since she has chosen this year to enrol in so many music classes she needs to do a bit of music every day.  But if it's ever too much, then no pressure and she's free to stop.

With so much music, Miya is zooming ahead and so this term she has moved up a class level for all three classes.

Well done Miya!

During the Covid-19 lockdown, BMC has continued to have classes, but all online via Zoom. The bands are too big to meet together online, so string band has stopped for now.

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Last year was Mulan's fifth and final year at BMC; she was fifth year recorder, fourth year flute and second year cello.  As BMC classes are for primary and intermediate school aged children only, Mulan is now too old to attend.

However, for this year Mulan is still able to join in with the BMC string band, playing the cello.

To replace BMC lessons, Mulan is now having private lessons with two of her old BMC teachers -- Kevin in the recorder and Katie in the cello.  Both are brilliant musicians and super inspiring teachers.

Private music lessons are expensive, and so we have agreed that Mulan should only continue with them if she practices every day.  Just like Miya, if at any time she gets to the point where she is not enjoying it, there is no pressure at all and she is free to stop.  But if she chooses to have private lessons then she needs to put the time into doing serious daily practice.

Mulan also joins Miya playing music at home, playing around on other instruments in addition to her own, including keyboard, clarinet and violin.

With the Covid-19 lockdown, Mulan has been continuing with weekly private lessons with both Kevin and Katie online via Zoom.

Earlier in the year we had been talking with both Kevin and Katie about Mulan doing music exams (Mulan enjoys exams, and is happy to have a go).  Katie has been directly preparing Mulan for Grade 5 cello, and Kevin has been working with Mulan at Grade 5 level recorder.  With the Covid-19 situation things might be postponed, but no problem and no pressure.

Again, well done Mulan!