Music at Norman Court
Mr McKeown’s Testing Day
A Wednesday out of the ordinary
It was our biannual visit from the Associated Board of Music. The examiner was a friendly lady from Lyndhurst who also happens to be a concert pianist. She had a slight American accent which added to her appeal… I always seem to get on with Americans. After clapping hands in assembly I rushed off to meet and greet her. Not surprisingly I was late, (or she was early) but as ever, Mrs King had her sitting comfortably with coffee and biscuits. It’s always a good move when examiners come to school!
As well as our usual flow of nervous children, four of our teaching staff agreed to join them in what can only be described as an ‘empathy experiment’. Some months ago, Mrs Stephenson (piano and recorder) thought it would be a good idea to gain sponsorship for taking Grade 1 on an unfamiliar instrument. Naturally, several of us jumped at the chance and decided that we’d give it a go. After all, for most of us it had been many years since we had taken a grade. I personally accepted the challenge as I thought it might help with my own professional development, especially if I chose an instrument that I knew little about. Rashly, I chose the cornet. Mrs Sainsbury (piano) opted for the clarinet, Mrs Stephenson tried the harp and Ms Innes (woodwind) fancied a go on the tuba.
The children performed confidently and most gave the impression of calmness. Things were going well. They did not continue so.
As Director of Music I decided that it was my duty to be the first adult to take the plunge and set an example. How difficult can Grade 1 cornet be?
Shortly before I was due to enter the examining room I found myself getting rather nervous; sweaty palms, heart beating a little faster. Is this what the children experience? Anyway, I pulled myself together for the big moment. After all, I had my lovely wife there to accompany me on the piano. Of course, the examiner greeted us with a big, warm, welcoming smile. What was she smiling at? My imminent doom?
She invited me to start. I decided it may look more professional if I tuned the cornet beforehand. First mistake. Aside from producing a rather slobbery windy sound, Mrs McKeown forgot which note on the piano to tune to (the cornet being a transposing instrument in B flat). We eventually found a note which suited us both only to discover that, yes I was slightly out of tune, but no, I wasn’t quite sure which tube to adjust to fix it…We moved on.
I hadn’t realized how difficult it is to play the cornet with a grin. If anything, the sides of your lips should curve down, not up. We struggled through piece No.1, and I concluded that it was good enough to pass. One down, two to go.
My second piece was the opening from Handel’s Water Music; a triumphant, majestic call ringing out on the upper reaches of the cornet. The first note worried me since pitching it had proved a bit of a lottery in practice. The moment arrived and I blasted it out with great conviction. Unfortunately for my wife at the piano, this was the last straw. Grand firework music became intermingled with sniggers closely followed by involuntary shoulder movements. It took a while to pull it round but as the piece was only 30 seconds long, I had to make my last note count. I did. Piece number two was complete. Only one more to go.
At this point Mrs McKeown had to leave the room, since my third and final piece was an unaccompanied study…. ‘Ready Steady Go Now!’ Fortunately things improved and I remain hopeful that our lovely examiner with the slightly tinged American accent will see the potential.
The remaining peripatetic staff were given a fine display of what not to do and from what I heard, they performed pretty well. All the results are likely to arrive in two or three weeks. In the meantime, please let me know if anyone wants a cornet!
Mr Hamish McKeown
Director of Music
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There are a large number of musical activities happening throughout the term. We place high emphasis on the enjoyment of Music. There are many extra curricula music groups to join, all of which have no extra charge.
Weekly Musical Activities Monday
Senior Choir 1.15 – 2.10 (Mr & Mrs McKeown)
Tuesday
Jazz Group 8.15 – 8.45 (Mrs McKeown)
Flutie Tooties 1.15-1.45(Mrs Hutchison)
Middle Choir (All of Years 5&6) 1.50-2.10 (Mr & Mrs McKeown)
Thursday
String Quartet 8.20 – 8.45 (Mrs Harbidge)
Theory Club 10.10-10.40 (Mrs Harbridge)
Whole school hymn practice 8.30-8.45 (Mr McKeown)
Junior Choir (All of Years 3&4) 1.50-2.10 (Mr McKeown)
Friday
Taiko Drumming 1.20 –1.45 (Mr Hilton-King)
Saxophone Group 8.20 – 8.45 (Mrs Dodd)
Saturday
Orchestra 10.25-11.25 (Mr McKeown)
Staff/Parents Choir 9.00-10.00 (Mr Backhouse)
Music Lessons
If your child is interested in playing an instrument we can offer lessons in all the traditional orchestral instruments plus a few extra including bagpipes! The school is able to hire out some of these instruments. Should your child wish to try an instrument just for a term/a lesson, then this too is possible so long as there is space.