One night only: The Crumfel

Moni's school band played their first proper, headlining gig tonight in the school hall. The Crumfel's set consisted of ten songs, of which three were their own material.

I was down the front with the rest of the Camera Dads, all equipped with Nikon still and Sony video cameras. Behind me, the joint was indeed jumping.

One night only: Friday 13th June, 2008.

Of bishops and bands

'Do tanca i do rózanca' - to the dance, and to the rosary, as the old Polish saying goes. Today our children's school marked its tenth anniversary with a special festival. The event began with Mass celebrated by around six priests including Bishop Tadeusz Pikus (above). Afterwards, pupils and parents milled around the classrooms, each decorated in a different theme, offering snacks from around the world. Eddie's class was 'India'. Moni (below, right) and her band, The Crumfel, played a short set in the assembly hall. I'm delighted to say that half the set was songs the band wrote themselves. (Compare to their previous gig at the school talent contest in June)

And a propos of education, this story in Friday's Daily Mail shows the sharp contrast between Polish and British secondary schooling into sharp relief (the 85 comments to the story tell an interesting tale too!)

Practice makes perfect

Our daughter Monika made her first appearance on stage last night, playing bass guitar in her school band. Since she got the bass last September, she's been practicing hard, at home and each week at school. I'm put in mind of the words of business mentor Dr Mike Kearsley: "Amateurs practice till they get it nearly right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong." The band did not play a single duff note in the short two-song set.