One always needs to punctuate the end of a term's hard work, and what better way than with a BBCM workshop. This was a wonderful opportunity for everybody to meet up and spontaneously put together all the knowledge soaked up during the weekly classes with Agnes.

Nowhere else so far have I encountered such a mixture of ages and levels blending together with such joy and openness; from tiny children to grown-ups, everybody contributed in some way to the success of the afternoon. The relaxed atmosphere rendered this, in my opinion, a more productive event than the annual concert, as children and adults alike expressed themselves with more ease and less nerves.

Performances ranged from a movement of the Boccherini Quintet by members of the adult class, to Beethoven's jokey ‘Metronome Song’ in which everybody could join; and from the impressive rendering of the Vivaldi A minor Violin Concerto by little Sophia, to the performance of a song from Oliver by Peanut in which William (still only 14) played the accompaniment on the piano partly by memory and largely by ear!

Lindsay's first composition was sung by the adult class and moved Agnes to such an extent (she has actually taught Lindsay from the very start, only two years ago) that tears choked up her words, and Johanna kindly stepped in to introduce the piece.

I was the next to be reduced to tears as four-year-old Joey sang ‘Castle on a Cloud’ from Les Miserables. Despite the fact that he actually had his back to the audience, his steady voice sailed out like crystal and touched me profoundly. If only we could all regain our capacity to sing or play a phrase with all the simplicity which it deserves! Most of us had that gift as four-year-olds but sadly lost it somewhere along the way.

Perhaps the highlight of the afternoon was the International Section where we were treated to folk songs from all over the world including Serbia, Turkey, Greece and Montenegro. There was also a surprising little performance of blues by Anna and her father. This shy looking little girl sang with real conviction and true swing!

Although this workshop lasted for over three hours, there was never a moment of boredom, as each performance was totally unique and diverse, everybody pouring all their emotion into the music. We have Agnes to thank for its success.

Rebecca Brown BMusRNCM (Hons), GRNCM
Adult Class