Well - I think it's all coming together.

The massed primary school strings just about fitted on the stage, no room to bow, but still. And apparently were making a reasonable racket. All I could hear was my own playing - which is nice! Very hot and crowded.

The exam rehearsal venue is sorted (I think), and all the parents have been phoned to check that the information got home rather than getting stuck in the bottom of music cases. Mostly it had got home. In Austin's case I had to deal with Step Grandad who lives miles away, and deal with all sorts of complicated logistics in getting Austin to the exam, due to all sorts of family problems that I can't begin to comprehend. Anyway - the school nurse, step granddad and I are dealing with it.

OK - this should get in before midnight - will post more soon!

Rehearsal with 100 ish small violinists for the big concert tomorrow. Why did I agree to be in charge? By the time I've tuned the 100th violin, the 1st few will have been experimenting with tuning pegs and will doubtless have their strings hanging in loops. Not to mention the elaborate plaits and light sabres that can be achieved with bows. Star Wars has a lot to answer for.

Actually - year 6 at school no 2 today did me a nervewracking sword dance today, over a couple of crossed bows.

"Ooh Alice - careful! Mind that.... Ooh - watch where your foot's landing Daisy. That bow cost.... oh"

It was the Year 2 Music Day at school no 3 today, and the theme was seaside apparently. Always good to see a music adviser dressed as a pirate and singing to a tambourine.

Sports day practice at school no 4. I can't come to violins miss, cos I'm supposed to be doing the running.

5 minutes later

It's a bit hot out there miss - I don't like the running, can I do violins instead?

Miss. I can't do my bow, my hands are all sweaty.

I don't understand how certain people can routinely be over an hour late for rehearsals.

Saturday

For some reason, all the incompetencies of my Saturday morning group just made me laugh today. 3rd violins were struggling with the concept of off beat notes and on beat rests.

Evening was an outdoor concert at Langford. The professional picnic-ers were out in force with tables, windbreaks, gazebos and lovingly prepared salads. No such provision had been made for the orchestra, although there was a table where we could buy a cup of coffee.

Started off with the sun shining directly in my eyes. Fortunately this soon turned to cloud, rain, and a serious challenge for the clothes pegs holding the music onto the stand.

Friday

Well - the roads were very quiet during the England v Brazil match, whilst I was driving to school no 1. Somehow, I thought I wouldn't see many pupils in the first couple of hours, and as I opened the car door & heard the racket coming from the school hall, my suspicions were confirmed. Hundreds of children were sounding just like football hooligans as England slid out of the competition. I braved the shouting for a while, and then sat with tea, biscuits and a book in the staff room. Eventually the flute teacher joined me, and after the match we just lumped all violins and flutes together to play a couple of tunes. Nice easy start to the day.