When does orchestra become challenging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New instrument is a great idea. For a violin player, have her switch to the viola. She will learn to steadily play the bass clef.

viola parts are in the alto clef (C clef) not the bass clef

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Op here. What does this mean?

Starting in 6th (7th grade for all-state), public school kids can audition or be nominated to perform in orchestral groups that draw from across the county, or across the state. They are by definition more advanced than individual school orchestras, but not at the level of MCYO's Philharmonic.

Is there an equivalent for band? My daughter is having the same issues as OP but plays a woodwind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Op here. What does this mean?

Starting in 6th (7th grade for all-state), public school kids can audition or be nominated to perform in orchestral groups that draw from across the county, or across the state. They are by definition more advanced than individual school orchestras, but not at the level of MCYO's Philharmonic.

Is there an equivalent for band? My daughter is having the same issues as OP but plays a woodwind.

Yes, orchestra, band, and choir iirc. But they are only one weekend a year so not quite the same as school orchestra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Wow, she's in the higher level MCYO (Symphony at least) and even thinks that's easy?

[Anonymous]

This really depends on the school of course. Some schools really put demands on their Advanced Orchestra kids. Is your kid first chair of his/her instrumental group?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Op here. What does this mean?

Starting in 6th (7th grade for all-state), public school kids can audition or be nominated to perform in orchestral groups that draw from across the county, or across the state. They are by definition more advanced than individual school orchestras, but not at the level of MCYO's Philharmonic.

Is there an equivalent for band? My daughter is having the same issues as OP but plays a woodwind.

Mcyo and pvyo take most instruments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Op here. What does this mean?

Starting in 6th (7th grade for all-state), public school kids can audition or be nominated to perform in orchestral groups that draw from across the county, or across the state. They are by definition more advanced than individual school orchestras, but not at the level of MCYO's Philharmonic.

Is there an equivalent for band? My daughter is having the same issues as OP but plays a woodwind.

Mcyo and pvyo take most instruments.

What is PVYO?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never, that's why many go to MCYO and PVYO.

+1

My kid was in MCYO from fifth grade through twelfth.

[Anonymous]

Why is she not in advanced orchestra? If she's that good surely the teacher would move her up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New instrument is a great idea. For a violin player, have her switch to the viola. She will learn to steadily play the bass clef.

viola parts are in the alto clef (C clef) not the bass clef

Came in just to say this. (assigned, Mom of viola player).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Wow, she's in the higher level MCYO (Symphony at least) and even thinks that's easy?

That's what happens when music is your primary activity Just like for athletes who prioritize their sport. It all depends on where you choose to spend your time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is she not in advanced orchestra? If she's that good surely the teacher would move her up.

That might work for a little while, but "advanced" orchestra is a joke too.

[Anonymous]

I'm only familiar with the DCC, but Blair by far has the strongest strings program. Pre-covid they had a try-out based ensemble as well as "advanced" orchestra" and regular. I don't know what non-DCC schools offer. Probably the more Asian kids they have the better the strings program.

[Anonymous]

If she's doing Suzuki, it could really help her to try a different instrument. She'll improve at both sight reading and rhythm, which will translate to violin. Maybe in school she could try percussion (bells), clarinet or flute?

Another option is to do choir at school and an outside orchestra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Never. My DD has done MCYO for years. She also does orchestra in her middle school, county and all-state. They're all varying levels of easy, even MCYO... but she likes it.

Wow, she's in the higher level MCYO (Symphony at least) and even thinks that's easy?

That's what happens when music is your primary activity Just like for athletes who prioritize their sport. It all depends on where you choose to spend your time.