just another morning here

It is exceedingly rare that Josiah will allow me to take a photo of him, but he was obviously very pleased with the trophy he received at ECS Speech Day this evening – awarded for the most promising young musician. There are a string of names we recognise already on the trophy, children who have gone on to be inspiring people with their music – and, apart from that, it was the THIRD BIGGEST trophy of the night! (Obviously the most important thing )
I was hoping to escape having to attend the event, I confess, but actually it was worth it – we are very proud of him and also really grateful that he is part of such a wonderful school. I’m a sucker for being over-emotional at events like that but that is honestly how I feel!

Came home supposedly to plan lessons for tomorrow and have ended up falling asleep in front of the computer. Early morning instead I think …

While we were at Josiah’s birthday party last week, the girls were involved with Exeter Children’s Orchestra, who had a date with the BBC! A while back we put in an application to record a piece of music for Radio 3, for their Light Fantastic festival which is airing at the end of the month. I, pessimistically, didn’t think we’d get picked (hence I booked Joe’s party for the same day!), but we did!

It was very exciting – not only for the children to be involved with the professionals for a morning, but also because we were recording a piece that Richard Bowyer, our musical director, wrote himself. It’s called the ‘Exeter City March’, and was written for Exeter City Football Club – the piece features football rattles and whistles in the percussion section. Richard likes to call them hooligans; we call them supporters

Anyway, I was gutted that I couldn’t be there in the end, but one of the other parents kindly took some photos for me

Now all we have to do is listen to Radio 3 on the 24-26 June, and hope that we actually hear it. We’ve already played the piece as far away as Russia, as well as in our more local concerts, but it will be pretty cool to hear a proper recording of it on the radio. Hopefully the producers will tell us if and when we’re likely to hear it.

She thought it went ‘quite well’. I think it could have improved in places. Still jolly proud of her

This is just for Jo – set list as I scrawled it on my phone. Can’t be bothered to link it all up as I’m enjoying a post-Ofsted bath!

(together)
Stay for a while
Everywhere I go

(amy)
Love will find a way
Sing your praise to the lord
Saved by love
Baby baby
Every heartbeat
Better than a hallelujah
Arms of love
Something’s wrong in heaven tonight
El shaddai
Jesus loves me/everybody needs a helping hand

(together)
Lead me on
Emmanuel
Put a little love

(mws)
Go west medley
Place in this world
Track from ‘Freedom’

(together)
Thy word
Angels
Faithless heart
Give it away
Tell me how to say goodbye
Somewhere, somehow

(mws)
Open the eyes of my heart
Forever you are faithful
Secret ambition
Not far away
Rocketown
Hold you closer
Welcome home
Crucify – above all
Majesty
Heavens rain? Healing rain
Alleluia

(together)
Love of another kind
(encore – no prizes for guessing this one)
Friends