Holy Trinity Church Hall, London NW3

We really did not know what to expect when Agnes asked whether we would like to come to the BBCM Workshop on Saturday 7th July. Our daughter Hermione had attended her first BBCM Kindergarden class only one week before, so we had a vague notion about the Sol-Fa system and some idea that the BBCM had its fingers in various musical pies. And we knew that there would be lots of people wearing their BBCM T-shirts, and some food at the end, and - well, that was it. What did 'Workshop' mean? There was only one way to find out.

One answer came pretty soon: "When you join the BBCM, you will learn a lot of music. Won't you come and sing along with us today?" Words by Minerva Saner, aged 7, tune from Iceland, and a clear summary of what it was all about, beautifully sung by a group of 3rd years. There was already a comfortable informality to the proceedings which could not help but be reinforced by the next performers, the new BBCM Kindergarten. Resplendent in their new, and initially brilliant white, ankle-length T-shirts, looking a little perplexed as to what was going on and helped by some of the older ones, they sang a few of the songs they have been learning. And then clapped themselves!

Then for the serious stuff: Frêre Jacques and Boogie Woogie excellently performed on three violins (Hannah Harley, Akira Leyow, Callum Smyth ), followed by 7 year old Ryan Davies' cello debut (and a very impressive one too). After this we moved on to another instrument - the piano, which seemed to be playing rather well all by itself, until pianist Joey Wadsworth (aged 6) emerged from behind it. Next came Sophia Dignam and her violin. After she had instructed her accompanist (Agnes) on what she should be doing, they performed a lovely duet. Agnes kept saying, "this is a workshop, not a concert, and we have never played this together," as if that mattered. We thought the informality of the workshop probably enabled people who might otherwise have been a lot less comfortable about it to come out and sing or play. It was nice to see music being shared rather than presented for consumption.

Next we were introduced to some music from all those who had their Bicinia's. We had absolutely no idea what a Bicinia was, but now presume them to be central to singing with the BBCM. The Dorian scales were a beautiful ear-opener and the Sary canon was most impressive, as were the two Bartok choruses that followed. Most of the performers then left the stage, leaving a group of 4th years to sing Britten's arrangement of the Salley Gardens from sight, taking it in turns to sing various parts solo.

From Ireland to Nigeria next, or rather to Kemi Fowora, mother of Peter and John who recently joined the BBCM. Kemi sang a simple but beautifully 'earthy' African melody. We hope to hear the boys too next time. The term 'workshop' came into its own right next, when we all sang a selection of Russian folksongs arranged by Rimsky-Korsakov. As Agnes pointed out, he was not the only composer to apply his talents to these tunes: they appear in pieces by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky.

And then for something completely different: the Craven family's 'annual gig', with Dad on guitar and daughters Anna and Esther on voice and drums. We were presented with a cover of "Do You Wanna Dance", by the end of which at least half of the audience were joining in. A rapturous round of applause went up at the end. The Cravens were followed by Becky Galfalvi with an accomplished clarinet solo, and Eli Tamir beautifully singing a Gershwin piece with expert piano accompaniment by Ilan Lazarus. Last, but not least, 'Peanut' (known formally as Matthew Gold) played a piece by Elgar on his violin and sang Linden Lea (arr. Vaughan Williams).

Just to round things off, we all sang together again. This time it was the Tallis' Canon section from Benjamin Britten's Noah's Fludde , which formed an apt end to a very pleasant two hours' music. And boy were we hungry, especially Hermione who stood very still by the mountains of food, topping up her plate regularly.

Debra Hughes and Andrew Leitch
parents of Hermione, kindergarden class

Postscript by Agnes Kory:
Bicinia Hungarica is a series of two-part vocal compositions by Zoltan Kodaly. This 4 volume work is an integral part of the Kodaly System of music education.