By Andrea Zisman and Harlan Zimmerman

BBCM students (youth and youthful), family and friends shared a wonderful outdoor workshop and picnic on the grass at Primrose Hill Park on June 26, and everything, from the music, to the weather, to the warm family atmosphere, was pitch-perfect.

We are relative newcomers to BBCM, our three-year old having started only a few months ago after we fortuitously happened to see (and investigate) streams of happy kids in BBCM shirts on Finchley Road one Saturday. Having not previously participated in a BBCM workshop-on-the-grass, we wondered if the possible distractions of a park on a sunny day might make the workshop less exciting, fun and stimulating for the children than the classes they (and their parents) so obviously enjoy each Saturday. What we learned is that such is the extent of interest in the class that the children behaved impeccably.

One of the most wonderful aspects of this workshop was that it brought together BBCM students (and family) of all ages, experience levels and backgrounds (with more nationalities than one could remember). Getting to meet such a fascinating group of people socially made for a great day (see below), but what amazed us the most was that it was possible to have an excellent music lesson with participants ranging from 2-years olds to professional singers and musicians. This is a real testament both to Agnes (and her dedication in meticulously planning and fashioning the lesson) and the Kodály method. The children of course weren’t inhibited in any way by the mix, and the serious adult students were very welcoming and forgiving of our absolute-beginner status.

For the record, the workshop included the following:

• Major scale, Swan Song (German folk song) in major in four-part round

• Minor scale, Russian folk song in minor, about a mosquito marrying a dragonfly; older children/musician parents singing in harmony, younger children were supposed to be acting.

• Hungarian folk song about the mosquito. In two-part round, older children sing/clap a self-round.

• A two-part song from Kodály's Bicinia Hungarica. Young children plus parents sing simple ostinato accompaniment from hand-signs, older children sing melody from music.

• Marching Song, in four-part round, literally going round in four circles: children of all ages and several parents.

• Candlelight game

• Short two-part choral piece by Bárdos. Young children and parents on easier part, older children sing the more complicated upper part.

• Tallis' Canon (four-part round)

• Viva la Musica (three-part round)

• Icelandic folk song about a bird, with altered BBCM text ('when you join the BBCM, you will learn a lot of music, etc) in a round

• Three German folk songs simultaneously, as a three-part composition

• Ode to Joy

• Ring game

For social content and plane old-fashioned fun, the post-workshop picnic was a resounding success. New friendships were made, old ones strengthened, and in our particular case, BBCM managed to introduce us (Andrea) to a few fellow Brazilians including Felipe Massao Kuzuhara and his wife Joana Setzer, who turned out to be the niece of Andrea’s M.Sc supervisor in Brazil! After partaking in foodstuffs as interesting and varied as the workshop participants, brave young things from age 2 to 62 (72?) moved to the football pitch, where Agnes, our son Adam, Juliet and her 2-year old sibling all particularly distinguished themselves in goal (the same goal, at the same time, which helped to counter some of the natural skill of the opposing players). Various sporty children participated in running races, Frisbee and ball games, while some of the adults enjoyed conversations in the cool shade of the giant tree that served as a backdrop for our workshop and picnic.

In short, it was a spectacular morning and afternoon, and for us underscored how special BBCM is -- not just for the knowledge and education gained by its pupils, not just for the tireless devotion and dedication of its leader, Agnes, but also for the people that it brings together.

By Andrea Zisman and Harlan Zimmerman