More shrimps at the Rivoli Ballroom

Shrimps at the Rivoli ballroom

The "Shrimp band " Played at Peter Fishers 50th birthday party at the Rivoli ballroom http://www.therivoli.co.uk/ in London on Friday night. What a lovely evening it was, and in such an incredible venue . Its been heralded as London's best kept secret, and I can understand why. The building was once a music hall, and then a 1950's ballroom. It has been wonderfully preserved, and going there was like stepping back in time. The room was full of Peters friends , many of whom did "Party pieces". Peter topped off the evening off with his own brand of virtuosic violin playing. Among the guests were the Queens glass restorer who had (by coincidence) worked on the chandeliers in the ballroom, also a pianola roll maker (you don't meet one of those every day!)

Bring back Minsrels galleries!

I have just spent two days adjudicating for the Mid Somerset festival. One of the days was the chamber music classes at the beautiful Guildhall in Bath ( complete with minstrels gallery). It was so inspiring for the young performers to play there, and the standard of ensembles was very high. I have had a mad few weeks of (among other things) festivals and writing. All has been very interesting and inspiring, but why does everything happen at the same time?. Hopefully now I have a little time to do the washing, and empty the bins!.

Lovely pictures of Avril Dankworth.

I have just come across some lovely pictures of Avril taken in the sixties when she was doing teacher training all over the world. She did a lot of music Education workshops in this country ( I went with her sometimes). She had many visits to Hong Kong, and did teacher training for music teaches in the British forces bases abroad. That was in the days when money for education was plentiful. There were such exciting things happening then. I would have LOVED to go on one of the Hohner courses for teaching recorder and harmonica. Beautiful pictures Avril!

Cecil Sharp House

An inspiring day on Friday mentoring for "Music For Youth"at Cecil Sharp House in Camden. The day was filled with such a wonderful variety of music, played by young people in a very exciting venue (Music For Youth provides great opportunities for young people to experience things like this.)Cecil Sharp House is the headquarters of the English folk dance and song society. It is steeped in years of great music making. There is also a very nice cafe!

Not enough music in schools

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17226187
From the BBC website . Makes interesting reading.