This is interesting

I was really pleased I stumbled across this picture on the oboe page of Ebay today, I have been looking for it for a while.

It shows a bassoon and oboe playing for a church service, but what is interesting, is that I remember our neighbour when I was a child showing me this picture when I took up the bassoon. He said the church was Bo Brickhill ( which is where he was brought up, and which is quite close to us). He said the man at the back of the picture wearing the neckerchief (to the right of the oboist) was a relative of his, and he showed me the very neckerchief that had been passed down the family. I'm not sure who painted the picture, but it would be interesting to find out.

If you click on the picture you can enlarge it. I've just done that, and i think it might be a clarinet not an oboe!! ....comments?

Razz 2!

I used the new Razzamajazz 2 today with a pupil for the first time. Its always really exciting when you actually get a book in your hands, and it actually fulfills the task for which it was written. The idea of this book is to take the student up to the next octave while keeping the pieces simple so as not to overwhelm them. The notes ease up one at a time, and are reinforced in each of the pieces. The book was perfect for the boy I had today. (quite pleased actually).

Not many people know that.

I happened to come across a clip of the Jack Hylton Band (1920's), and it made me think of Les Carew ( AKA Priestley). Les was married to Avril Dankworth, and will be well known to people who attended the Stables and the music camps in the 70's and 80.s especially. Les had joined the Dankworth family in about 1970, but many people were unaware of his own personal fame. He was at one time one of the foremost trombonists of his day playing with Jack Hylton, Ted Heath and Ambrose. He met Avril when he was playing at the London Palladium and she was a rehearsal pianist with the George Mitchell singers. Les was a real character, a Yorkshire man who called a spade a spade. I have happy memories of family gatherings with him and Avril, especially the Christmas concerts we gave in their village hall. Les is probably on this Youtube clip. He also appeared in the film "She shall have music" with Jack Hylton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAYXn1NGio

Do you know anyone who wants to be a national champion?

The National Harmonica championships were well supported this year. So much so, that change of venue was muttered about during the weekend. I have been twice now, and am constantly inspired by the instrument. Listening to music especially written for the harmonica by Gordon Jacob and Malcolm Arnold says it all, and it makes me wonder why the teaching of this lovely instrument ( especially the chromatic), just isn't happening.

The adult section of the championships was well supported this year, with some fine playing, but the youth section had ONE entry ( we tried to persuade Martha to take up the instrument the night before so she could come second!).

Why is this???. We just need someone to do for the harmonica what Galway did for the flute. Perhaps Phillip Achille is that man? ( see previous post). He played on the latest Mr Bean film track (aged 18).

Someone should be doing something about this. I do know a good teacher if any one's interested.

Strictly Dance fever hits the Shrimps.

Martha made some cakes!

Have we met before?

Just thought I'd do a post about two chance meetings that occurred when I went to the SMA conference to do my workshops. I had never been before, so it was a joy to meet lots of new people from the Music Education world.

I kept being introduced to new people, but on two occasions I had a strange feeling of "Ive been here before".

The first meeting was with Kate Baxter a well known name in music Education who I thought I had never met, and the second with Reg Fletcher an ex chairman of the SMA who I also thought I had never met.

It turned out that I had met Kate and Reg through Avril Dankworth, and had even stayed at Reg's house!!.

When I was a student, Avril used to take me to various places in the country where she was running teachers courses or adjudicating. It was always inspiring, I used to run her book stall and be her assistant. Avril was innovative in her day, and lectured on music education all over the world.

Another workshop leader at the SMA who was responsible for the set up of the Associated board jazz exams said it was Avril who was one of the first to introduce Jazz into education ( not many people know that!) .

The picture is of Kate Baxter who was keen to hear how Avril was doing as they had worked together often and had lots of good times. She said to give Avril a hug from her.

Musical Angels

This years Christmas stamps not only have a Christian theme but a musical one too. Each stamp has an Angel playing a different instrument (lovely) there are stringed instruments and pipes, but sadly no harmonica's or bassoons (lack of imagination).