Abbotsholme 2010- a bit more about what we did.

Friday

It was Vicki's last morning, so she started the warm up session by teaching us a song - the one about the bird on the branch and the branch on a tree in a bog. You know the one. I took her to the station while Matej did the full warm up. On the way back I noticed the traffic building with people off to Alton Towers and I was jealous. maybe we'll go there again next year.

After warm ups it was back into groups again with Matej working on the pieces and Abbie and Stephen organising people on the Flutewise website, playing ensembles and doing videos. Abbie had a great percussion type workshop she did and the results are really good. I'll put some up on Youtube soon.

Sandy Hay arrived after lunch. The afternoon was spent with flute choir and games outside. The weather was really lovely.

After dinner we were treated to the most amazing concert given by Matej and Chris. I don't know if we really realise how lucky we are having such superb musicians on our courses.

Saturday

The last day arrived. Bedrooms had to be cleared straight after breakfast and the main aim of the morning was to prepare our 'celebration of work' (I do like celebration, thanks Sandy, much better than presentation). We also had time for a question and answer session with Matej. Some great questions were asked and I'm hoping to have some written up by our excellent course members for an article for the next magazine (hint, hint).

After lunch we had a run through of the celebration pieces and before we knew it, the parents were arriving. We played the following for them:

• Matej played Handel Sonata F major
• Group - Purcell: Air
• Group -  Jacob: Cradle Song
• Group -  Rutter: Osintato
• Group -  York Bowen: Sonata 2nd movement
• Everyone - Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
• Everyone - Offenbach: Can Can

The parents loved it, everyone played really well. Then it was time to say goodbyes. It's always sad. I can't wait for the next course, can you?