Music

No, missed it Grandmanorm. I would have loved to watch this. I wonder if it will be repeated?

You can find it on iplayer, when. I was also reaching for the kleenex, Grandmanorm The proud mums and dads in the audience must have felt it was well worth having to wrap themselves up in plastic.

My mission since I retired has been to get music into schools in the locality. I run a singing group for adults that accepts all-comers, help run a wind band in the village primary, ditto an arts festival with a children's day when they get the chance for hands-on music, and I am conducting a huge community singing project's final concert in a prestigious international festival in July - we have 200 adults and 50 children - all amateurs, just joining in for the sheer joy of singing.

When and how did this nonsense arise about music only being for the highly talented? See Jesse Norman's article in the Telegraph today.

I was blown away by the children in Raploch - there is so much evidence (google "In Harmony" and look at their results - the rise in academic standards among the children learning music has been astronomical) of the powerful positive effects of participation in music for children and adults.

I grind on about this endlessly - I have had email correspondence with Gove's office and many others and do what I can in a small way on the ground - and I will go on doing so until they carry me out. Music is for everyone; and participation is the name of the game. It can transform lives - we just need to give it the priority it deserves and not see it as an add-on in education.

Thanks Merlot

One of the wonderful things about this evening's concert was the fact that they played a piece by an Argentinian composer and it had a rapturous response - never mind what the politicians are up to - we can enjoy the music of our supposed potential "enemies."

If you are inspired by watching this on iplayer, do please lobby Gove and his mob - the more people who badger them the better!

I was lucky enough to actually attend the concert ( in the pouring rain ) and it was brilliant - The Big Noise indeed! The Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra is my DH's favourite and when they played Mambo at the end he was in heaven. The whole audience were on their feet and bopping about.

Grandmanorm - the programme is called El Sistema.

How wonderful for you Granny23 - what an experience. I watched the interview with the man who inspired the Big Noise and his commitment was amazing. What lucky children to have such a champion.

Mishap I was struck with the last comment in your post - "What lucky children to have such a champion."

I quite agree. Wouldn't it be marvellous if all kids, from all backgrounds, could be 'championed' in such a special way. Not just in music, but in many areas of education and when looking at life choices.

I believe there is something very special with music in how it enhances cohesion within communities, which goes a long way in providing a good foundation for social regeneration.

Good for you for your tireless efforts!

I was out at the theatre so missed it.

A lot happens in this country too. My 'specialist subject' is ballet and I can tell you that most ballet companies have an education unit which works with schools, youth groups and others. Birmingham Royal Ballet has done some great projects one of which was called Ballet Hou when all sorts of youngsters with 'issues' spent about 9 months working towards a production of Romeo and Juliet where the only professional dancers were R & J. As a result some have gone on to further education and most have stayed out of trouble. They also have an ongoing dance group called Freefall which is for whatever the PC term is for people with lower intelligence, mainly Downs. They are totally committed to what they do and I have watched them do ballet class and perform. Both the RB and BRB have talent search programmes where they find people from unlikely backgrounds and train them.

Fabulous! We were thrilled to watch and listen. The concert was super special.
Granny23

Thank you Granny23