A very musical day...

This afternoon I went to see Thomas perform in Action Day at his school. This is an annual event whereby every boy has to perform - be it singing, playing an instrument, doing a drama or comedy sketch or reciting a poem - and we the parents have to sponsor them for a charity. This year Thomas' class did a group class performance whereby they all played in a band and performed the jazz number Tequila. It was an excellent performance, considering they have only practiced at lunch time at school. Here are some of the boys in the line up, looking more like the Blues Brothers than a jazz ensemble, but hey, it was done entirely by them and this is what they came up with. Thomas also did a solo trumpet performance of a most beautiful Latin-jazz piece, wearing a huge sombrero that almost covered his face. No photos of him as I was taking video instead to show the family.

After that I went to the older boys school where tonight was their annual House Music competition. Parents are not usually allowed to attend, as the performances are streamed live on the school website. For the past four years I have watched in frustration as the web streaming often loses the link, but this year, as Luke is head of House Music I was allowed to attend in person (as were other parents in the same capacity). There were 12 houses each performing 2 pieces, one acoustic and one electrified. The pieces are chosen by the head of house music and his team, and they arrange the music, pick musicians form the house, conduct the rehearsals...and hope to win. The entries from Luke's house were a beautiful arrangement of Hans Zimmer's soundtrack to True Romance and an acapella version of Skinny Love. They were superb, but sadly they did not win. The winning house did a fantastic arrangement of Fields of Gold that the adjudicator said was a better arrangement than the original Sting version!. The best bit was after the boys had finished and while they were waiting for the adjudicator to write up his notes and make his decision, the 'staff band' appeared on stage, all dressed in pink for Breast Awareness week, and belted out a version of Taking it Easy, every bit as good as the Eagles - the lead singer being Luke's 1st team rugby coach. I never knew he had such a great voice...but then he is a Welshman.

Now it is very late and I must get to bed as we leave for SA tomorrow night and I haven't even packed yet...