We are required to do the core 4 in Queensland: English, math, science & Sose (a history/geography/civics combo). After that it's up to us. Ditz is Art & Music so that's where our time goes. We did a language in primary school but she has 4 instruments plus a vocal ensemble & I just don't have enough hours for her core subjects, as well as music lessons & practise sooooo... Our umbrella school (QLD HS law being different to N.S.W) requires 3 examples of Ditz's work in all subjects each term but this is not normally a problem. Music is a little problematical but her supervisor gets a concert on her home visits so that's pretty cool too. If you get the ABC QPAC concert {Christmas in Concert} down there Ditz's ensemble are the guest artists this year. We go into preproduction next week, Ditz has her flute exam the week after & I am in meltdown!
I am not sure if we get that concert - but we will look out for it. Music exams are stressful - I think I get more nervous that the kids do, lol. What grade is she going for flute?
Grade 3 flute. Our first time & already I hate it & Ditz never wanted to do them. She only really likes performing but her supervisor suggested she start doing them as it makes it a proper subject & easy to show proof the powers that be. I would be less stressed if we weren't having to travel hours just to do them & people weren't so jolly snooty about them. I'm going to suggest Ditz only do an exam every other year & just do the work inbetween. That way she will keep going up the grades but we don't have to stress the exams every year. Yeah, I didn't really think you's get the concert but it's always nice to watch something with someone you know in ~ at least I think so.
I agree about the snooty part - AMEB is very old fashioned and superior towards every one, which gets up my nose. I guess for me the value is in having a recognised assessment of ability, and for my kids it forces them to actually practice well - pieces as well as technical stuff. I didn't do piano exams as a child, but came to regret it later, and went back and did them as an adult. ds did grade 2 flute this year, but isn't doing an exam next year. dd did grade 5 cello, and took her first ever formal written exam, grade 2 musicianship. She passed with honours - I was terrified that maybe I taught her something wrong or not enough. Makes me feel for all those who have to have external testing for hs every year. They both hate musicianship, but I just tell them it's like grammar - you just have to know it.
