It was the annual spring concert last night. The number of pupils playing was amazing. I estimate there were around 60 children in the Senior Choir and 20+ in the Junior Choir. Then there was the Staff Choir!! I would think nearly 200 children performed.
The training band, senior band and jazz band were all wonderful. There were also a series of groups who performed their GCSE work for us. Plus other groups such as the string ensemble, the flute choir, with about 25 flutes, and the recorder group were very enjoyable to watch. The music was good and I was impressed with the confidence shown by many of the performers and the overall sense of fun.
Beth did a sax solo which went well. Only two children did solos. The head of music introduced her as "A talented year seven" I also had a couple of minutes with her music teacher who said some very nice things about her.
It really was a lovely evening.
Dora

Lovely to hear about the concert. It's so good for children to have opportunities to perform, both solo and in ensembles, and it sounds as if Beth's school is excellent in this respect.

Glad to hear that there was a sense of fun - that's how it should be, but sadly it isn't always the case. You must have been very proud, not only of your daughter, but also of her school. I hope she really enjoys her schooldays and builds some lovely musical memories.

Sounds good.

Sounds like a great evening, and what a lovely way to be introduced

I enjoy our school concerts. Like yours, the confidence level is amazing, sometimes only really appreciated when things go wrong and seeing the humour and the calm way that the students deal with it (there's often not as much rehearsal time as there should be )

Well done to Beth!! It's great to be acknowledged and the school sounds wonderful.

Emsoboe had a massive individual Oboe part earlier in the week, I thought she did very well, the Clarinettist got to bow at the end.

It must be hard for emsoboe to sustain her enthusiasm for school music. I'm sure you are as aware as I am of our different school experiences and I sincerely hope you know that I'm not trying to make things worse for you. I just feel that I want to share.
I'm kind of glad I wasn't in school today. The school is fundraising for a trip for some of the pupils. Beth swam for 1 1/2 hours today to raise money. At lunchtime the teachers sold tickets to "I'm a teacher. Get me out of here." which included bobbing for apples in a bucket of maggots and eating your choice of bug. Apparently the science teacher ate an earthworm because he'd raised the locusts and thought of them as pets. Someone else tucked into a locust.
It was so different during my school days!!!
Dora

I think it's really good to see the other side and I don't think anything at all. Don't feel bad about sharing your experiences. They do help as a matter of fact as it acts as proof that I'm not being unreasonable in having expectations. The band experience wasn't anything to do with school......