Cherry blossoms and warm spring sunshine welcomed The Hungarian Ambassador, The Rt. Hon David Mellor, The Mayor and Mayoress of Kensington & Chelsea and a host of other dignitaries at an unveiling of a blue plaque for Bela Bartok at 7 Sydney Place, London SW7.

Right after the proceedings began with an opening by a member of English Heritage, BBCM students from the 6th and 8th year along with the adult students lined the steps and entrance to the house and sang five Bartok choruses. Everyone was decked out in their BBCM burgundy sweatshirts and looked and sounded very professional indeed.

Speeches by Felix Aprahamian, the British music critic and David Mellor followed before the blue plaque to Bela Bartok was unveiled at the house where he stayed between 1922 and 1937 when in London. Then all those assembled on the pavement (including friends and parents of BBCM students) were invited to follow The Guildhall Brass Ensemble who played The Cricketers of Hambledon (by Peter Warlock) and led us, singing along, to a reception at the Royal Brompton Hospital.

It was a jolly occasion and a rare opportunity for the BBCM to perform outside their usual venues.

Judy Rich, parent