Day 276 - Grab Your Clogs!

Henry and I enjoy the Dutch Street Organ Music - Thanks Mum for being guest photographer today!

Henry learnt a little about his Dutch heritage today on yet another visit to Floriade. He seemed quite entranced by the music of the Dutch Street Organ (Australia Fair which is always at the tulip festival) and didn't want to stand with his back to it either! It must have been one of Floriade's biggest days today; exceptionally crowded and we had to park all the way over the bridge in front of the Treasury Office, which meant a pretty long walk. After two wet days, the sun was out in full today and so must have been half of Canberra.

Day 263 - African Drumming

Our school enjoyed a great African Drumming concert today and the kids even got to participate in some of the action. Amy, in the picture above was one of many kids who got to get up and perform, creating a little piece of music on the spot. The children always love stuff like this and it is great for them to hear music that most of them wouldn't normally listen to.

Day 150 - Music and My Comfort Zone

Although music has always been important to me and I even worked in a music related job for quite some time, teaching music is not something that is always fully within my comfort zone. It's why, a couple of years ago I put my hand up to train all the staff on the yearly Musica Viva sessions that lead up to a musical performing group visiting our school. Usually when I attend the teacher inservice, most of the attending teachers are music specialists and I do feel a bit out of my depth. Music has its own tech speak and it doesn't come naturally to me! When I pass on the training to our staff it is in everyday lay teacher talk and I hope that the other teachers like me, find it worthwhile. The above percussion instruments is one of my favourites and I used it when I did the teacher training at our meeting this afternoon. I don't actually even know what it is called :P

Day 110 - RIP ipod classic

Oh... my ipod died. Still working, except for sound, which is kind of the point! I have read online that it is a known problem - something to do with contact points. The tip I read was to put the ipod in the fridge! Believe it or not, I tried this and it did work, but only intermittently. I guess six years is good innings!