Classic Dudley Moore

Just found this on youtube a MUST watch, Dudley Moore plays Beethoven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GazlqD4mLvw

Do you know any of these men?

My friend Pinder has complained that I don't do enough blog posts as it helps to pass away her lunchtimes at work. Well, I'll try to post more Pinder, so here goes.

We had a Christmassy evening with friends at our Church ball on Friday. Unfortunately due to their enormous fame, and because of the risk of being mobbed by enthusiastic fans they had to come heavily disguised. Some of them may be known to you.

Interesting Website

The British and International federation of festivals has a new website ( I am one of their adjudicators). Its worth a look, just to see the local festivals that go on throughout the country. I think people often forget that these performing opportunities exist, and many of the festivals focus less on the competition and more on providing positive experiences and constructive feed back these days. Its worth looking just to see the range of what is available

http://www.federationoffestivals.org.uk/About_Us.html

welcome the silly season!

Well its started!. If I haven't done it now, it wont get done.

Only four concerts this week for the Shrimps, but hotting up.

It was nice to get Portia's feedback about Christmas Band in a book, is anyone else using it?. I really think it could be a good stock book for schools.

I am writing at the moment " Sparkling songs for starter choirs". Its a book of fun songs and warm ups that encourage singing in a choir situation. Some of the songs are rounds or have second parts . I am as usual excited about it. It should be finished by Christmas.

I would quite like to write some Christmas pieces for piano, Perhaps I should do that soon while I still feel Christmassy!!. I did the Christmas band in a book in March!!.

sarah-watts.com!

Exciting times!. Kevin Mayhew Ltd have built me a website. Its not quite finished yet. but the front page is live and looking good. There will be access to all works and it will be a point of contact for people wanting to make enquires. http://www.sarah-watts.com/

Sizzling Songz in Suffolk!

Had a very nice experience on Monday. I went to a schools music festival in Felixstowe where the programme had been made up of my Sizzling Songz.

Seven schools were taking part and had rehearsed the songs separately then came together for a sing through then a performance for the parents.

It was very interesting to see which songs had been selected from the book, and very nice to hear them live. It was also interesting to see how the children coped with the songs , and which ones they enjoyed the most.

They invited me to talk about being a ( real life) composer, and I was also able to conduct one of the songs (Jada, which I enjoyed).

It was the first time I had actually heard some of my new songs sung ( apart from by me and Jacqui D). Very exciting.

I Don't got ryhthm!

We have all come across people who are rhythmically challenged. I have worked hard in my books to provide opportunities and incentives to improve rhythm, and feel a beat (Red hot rhythm sessions and Red hot dots band). Razzamajazz is also good to go back to with pupils who need reminding how to count.

A friend pointed me to this MUPPET sketch ( worth a watch!!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZP6TDJj6w0