[Education is my second passion in life. It has become so not only because I did not have a very satisfactory experience myself when I was in the schools during the Cultural Revaluation, but also the comparisons I have been able to make while our children grow up in the UK. ]

There are three different School Orchestras in the Senior Department of our children’s school, according to the players’ grades and abilities. Our eldest daughter has been in this department for two terms (there are three terms in a year) and she is in the middle level orchestra called Lower School Orchestra. They give regular performances (once every term or so) to the parents and it is always a great joy to watch.

In the last concert on Monday, about 50 girls from the orchestra preformed and they were joined by two school choirs which were formed by another 30 girls aged 12-14. The Programme included March from Carmen by Bizet and Overtrue to the Pirates of Penzance by Sullivan. These two pieces were played by the entire Lower School Orchestra and they were both absolutely wonderful! Apart from these two major pieces, there were a few solo performances too, including You got to pick a pocket or two (tuba), Gigue (piano), La Pastora & Snowflakes (Guitar group), Hope told a flattering tale (violin), Circus pony (flute), Flamenco (Percussion group), Gavotte (violin), Study (harp), Jackson street Blues (piano) and Spring in Xin Jiang (violin).

The two school choirs also gave a phenomenal performance with songs of You spotted snakes (from Midsummer Night’s Dream), They can’t take that away from me and best of all, Medley from Sister Act which received a huge reception from the audience.

The overall standard of performance was outstanding and the efforts that the girls have put in were greatly appreciated by everyone attended. The school music teachers have, of course, worked very hard for this and so have the external instrument teachers who give girls individual lessons once a week. They all used their spare time to make the event such a success and joy for all. It was our daughter’s first time to give a solo performance (flute) and she managed her nerves very well. It was also lovely that one other Chinese girl played a violin piece of Chinese music which brought a wonderful breeze of East to the concert.

Last but not least, the retiring collection was always appreciated and the money raised will fund the future performances. For this reason, most parents dug deep in their pockets and the two plates soon got full with coins and bank notes. After all, good things always have to be paid for and there is no such thing as free lunch over here！

(to be continued)

Other related reading:

Kids and Education (III) – Year Production