Well … another year comes to an end. I would just like to say the following:

• Swing Band – what can I say? An AMAZING band that went to Paris. I am SO proud of each and every student – most probably the finest large music group I have ever had the privilege of working with in my career. Stunning concerts in Paris as well as the easiest tour that myself, Mrs B. and Mrs H. have ever taken thanks to the maturity, professionalism and dedication of everyone involved (I’m welling up writing this).
• Summer Concert – another brilliant event with great performances from every group and many highlights for the audience to remember for years to come. Well-deserved winners of the Alford Cup in Maciej, Jack and Eloise, great solos from Maciej, Heather and David and a stonking set from the Wind Band!
• Year 13 (and Year 11 who are leaving)  –  again, what can I say??  Myself and Ann were very upset at the concert (and after playing with Swingers at the sponsored walk) to say goodbye to the students, and I certainly didn’t do them justice with what I said as I was feeling rather emotional. They have been absolutely brilliant throughout their time at UVHS – brilliant ambassadors for the school and amazingly committed and dedicated young adults.  All in all, true role models for both the younger UVHS students as well as our primary tuition pupils. Words cannot express my thanks to them and the debt that both myself and the school owe them. I am very proud to have been able to work with them and also that I can now class them as friends, not students.

P.S. roll on next year and the challenges it will bring in terms of the repertoire I am choosing for the Wind and Swing Bands.  Also … I still have quite a few EHIC cards from Swing Band members tat they forgot to pick up on Tuesday – they are in my office ready to collect.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, and good luck to the Year 13s and 11s.

Hopefully back at school at 11.30pm

They will also need a pack lunch tomorrow

All going well so far. Currently at Warwick services for food – will leave by 8pm then 194 miles home … All the equipment will have to be unloaded (ready for tomorrow’s concert on the field) before students can go home. Normal school times tomorrow but all players will need Sun team, water, shades and a hat (non-uniform). Yr11 & 13 in for 11.30 please

Absolutely brilliant gig at Disney today. SO proud to be their teacher!!!! They blew away the audience and Disney tech crew.

got a great  video as well!

I will be at The Coro at 11.45 for the get-in. There was a double-booking this morning so we could not do anything.

All help will be gratefully received!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have just received a tracker for the tour (new technology!!!).

Once we have departed (and I’ve remembered to turn it on!), the following link will give you an up-to-the-minute location for the bus and/or me.  It will be particularly useful on the trip home as parents will be able to chart our progress and estimate arrival back at school.

https://locatemytrip.uk/map/interval/login/DC39F7F1

This link will only become active once we have departed.

Could everyone who has volunteered to help at the concert please be at The Coro by 6.45pm? We still needs a few more helpers in order to cope with the door money, programmes and the raffle.

A reminder that the final Wind Band rehearsal of the year (before Tuesday’s concert) is tomorrow after school.  ALL players are expected to attend without fail!  Rehearsals for all groups have gone fantastically well, and the concert looks like it will be an absolute barn-stormer!  I must say that Junior Band REALLY impressed on Thursday as did Strings on Tuesday.

Anyone who has not yet collected their new band shirt can do so at the rehearsal, which will finish at 4.45pm (to allow us time to load the van with all the equipment needed at The Coronation Hall). If any yr11 or yr13 students are available at 9.30am on Tuesday morning their assistance would be gratefully appreciated at The Coro.

There will be lunchtime rehearsals tomorrow lunchtime for Clarinet Choir and Junior Flute Choir, and on Tuesday lunchtime for Sax Ensemble and String Orchestra – again, FULL attendance please.

I should add that last week’s rehearsal (without yr13s) was outstanding considering we were missing 16 senior musicians – the yr7-12 players really stood up to the challenge and have shown that next year’s band could be phenomenal.

Please could some parents help out at the Summer Concert? Although Ulverston Amateurs are stewarding we need 2 people on the door, two or three selling programmes and then three on the raffle – please email me if available ( rbu@uvhs.uk ).

Also – we have an amazing hamper for 1st prize in the raffle, but if anyone has any good items that they can donate for some other prizes, please get them to me tomorrow (Friday) or Monday.

Thank you.