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PRESMA Summer Concert 2006

Thank you very much for a lovely summer concert. We enjoyed it very much. Gwendolen especially liked the story about the storm with the loud clap for thunder; this surprised me, as she usually does not like loud noises.

The theme of the concert was weather: sun, wind, storms and rain. As I write this in the middle of August the programme appears to foretell the weather for the summer better than the forecasters. The day of the concert was a hot day at the beginning of a very hot July, which seems a long time ago from this windy, wet autumnal August.

When we arrived we looked at the instruments lined up on the stage with the animals that go to the music classes. Hazel from Sarah's class was not there, but we spotted Karen's Cocoo who had visited Gwendolen's Pre-School the previous week.

We settled down and waited for the concert to begin: consulting our programme to discover what was going to happen. We found the concert was a good mix of acts to listen to, and new and familiar songs to sing and join in the actions. For example we held hands and danced in circles for 'What shall we do when the sun comes out?'; we used our fingers and hands in the body percussion for the story of a rain storm, and the traditional 'Incy, wincy spider';  and 'walking in the rain' saw lots of joyful jumping in puddles.

Musicians performed their acts between each 'change of weather'. We were treated to folk music from 'Mundesse', African songs and drums from all the teachers, and a couple of pieces including an arrangement of 'Twinkle, twinkle little star' performed by a young flautist, who stepped in at the last minute to play with her mother. I was very impressed by the young drummer who played three contrasting pieces demonstrating a range of rhythms and techniques. He used different sticks for each piece: wooden, brushes and cloth-headed. The sticks were pointed out at the beginning of each piece, which helped to focus the children's attention on the difference sounds and rhythms. It was lovely to see 'grown-up' PRESMA babies performing so well.

As always the experience came home with us. We talked about the concert and sang the songs using the programme as a guide. Before going to bed we had to go on a 'journey' to the seaside incorporating weather songs and songs from Karen's visit to Gwendolen's Pre-School. With one more 'singing through the programme' we finally settled down to sleep.

As well as being an enjoyable experience, I think that this summer concert was a good introduction to concert going. The mix of acts and singing encouraged quiet sitting, observing and listening as well as active participation, which will develop into the active listening and music appreciation, which is required for 'grown-up' concerts.

Thank you to the teachers for leading the singing and to all the performers. And thank you to those who put in all the hard work that went into the smooth running of a lovely concert.

Joanna Otte

Future Events

PRESMA CHRISTMAS CONCERT DATES 2006:

Hoxne  Dec. 11th , Lowestoft Dec. 15th, Pinebanks (Norwich) Dec. 18th, Town Close (Norwich) Dec. 19th