Is there room for children in classical concerts?

Bring children of all ages to classical concerts, says Michael Murpurgo http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/latest-news/children-classical-concerts/

No says Kyung Wha Chung, who complained about coughing child during 'tetchy comeback concert.  (Read more at http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/latest-news/kyung-wha-chung-coughing-child/#72zWzl3r0qDwVv5r.99)


I think these two articles above are comparing apples and bananas.  

Taking a child to a concert doesn't necessarily mean that they will cough!  Indeed anyone coughing at a concert shouldn't be there, as coughing is disruptive for everyone else who are trying to listen to the music.  And it's probably not much fun for the person trying not to cough!

But children attending a concert who appreciate being there and are enjoying themselves is 'a good thing'.

When I was taken along to classical concerts as a child, the ones I enjoyed were where someone had taken the trouble to introduce us to the music.  This was either by us being introduced to excerpts beforehand or, in one case, having the score to follow whilst the music was being played.  That one really stuck in my mind; it was Beethoven's 7th Symphony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DeTyccyzvI.

I can understand Kyung Wha Chung being rather fed-up with the child coughing.  But on the other hand will that child ever dare go to a concert again?

When our youngest daughter was about ten we wanted to go along to an 'Opera's Greatest Hits' concert and couldn't get a babysitter. So we dragged her along, although I'm not sure if she enjoyed the experience, but she certainly knew all the tunes.  This must presumably be from hearing them in the background at home.  And now she's grown up she does enjoy some opera.

Perhaps the answer's to start by taking children along to concerts specifically aimed at children such as: http://childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk/.

There are lots of classical pieces especially aimed at children which I can think of:

• Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens
• Dolly Suite by Faure (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcNHP12m-_g)
• Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten
• Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev
• Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMSXdKun1GU)

and here are a few more good entry points for children, which I didn't think of:

• John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 (1st movement)
• Britten: "Storm" Interlude from Peter Grimes
• Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King (from Peer Gynt)
• Handel: Zadok the Priest
• Holst: Mars (from The Planets)
• Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4 (3rd movement)
• Mussorgsky: A Night on the Bare Mountain
• Stravinsky: The Firebird ­ suite (1911) (Finale)
• Anna Meredith: Connect It

1. From: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/16/bbc-ten-pieces-classical-music-primary-school-children

Dress a girl around the world - now called Dress a Child Around the World


This new pattern is delightful, although not as simple as the original pattern, see below:



The dress on the right takes as its starting point ... a pillowcase ... simple.  
It's very straightforward to make, so long as you remember a few simple rules - finish off seams, don't attach anything which may come off in the wash (and others, see* below), 

For information on how to make this, much more simple, dress, see: http://sew-awesome.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/making-making-just-short-reminder-page.html?spref=fb
and
http://dressagirlaroundtheworld-va.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/how-to-make-best-dress-ever-tutorial.html

*

• Seams that are not finished, 
• Edges of cut pillowslips that are left raw, 
• Trims that are stuck on with glue - hello, will that withstand one wash?? 
• And 
• Even received one with buttons glued on!! Oh dear, ladies we know you are better than that!!
• The fold up flap on pillowslips that are used as a hem but not stitched ~ a hem that is not stitched will drop down and trip up the wearer 
• And 
• My goodness me we really cannot keep accepting these errors!!
• PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU SEND.
• this is the ten point check list:~
• 100% cotton - or very nearly 100%
• NOT see through, if you can see a ring on your finger when you put your hand behind one layer then it is too thin and will need lining ~ with cotton!!
• All stitching finished and threads sewn in and trimmed
• All seams finished ~ no RAW edges
• No glued trims
• No ribbon ties
• All buttons stitched on properly
• All pockets finished with a double stitch at the top to prevent them coming undone when the wearer put their hand in the pocket
• Elastic on shorts and dresses firmly stitched and not just knotted
• Your garment is correct to our size chart -

For sizings see: http://sew-awesome.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/making-making-just-short-reminder-page.html?spref=fb


http://sew-awesome.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/new-dress-pattern.html?spref=fb
http://pillowcasestyledresses.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/tutorial-robust-reversible-toddler.html
http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.co.uk/p/pillowcase-dress-info.html?m=1

Note from 17 January facebook page:
Thank you for all the contacts re distributing dresses, I have had some emails and have been counting dresses all afternoon!! Only problem is that the majority of people want larger dresses for ages 7 - 14. This seems to be the norm recently, so please please if anyone is sewing these sizes could you please send them to me. 
Thank you
I have also had some parcels with lovely dresses in, will try and take some photos and post on here. 
Jacqui
https://www.facebook.com/DressagirlaroundtheWorldUK?fref=nf

and also: http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/pillow-case-pattern/


http://www.sonriseministriesinc.org/

Which piece of classical music are you? Try this lighthearted quiz to find out ...

http://www.classicfm.com/discover/music/which-classical-piece-are-you/?cmpid=E.Classic_Newsletter_Notes_15.01.29&cmp=EMC-NEO


Mine was Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWgYg5Iicqk)which is one of my favourite pieces of music at the moment - after Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat Major, op 73 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSeg69d3CQ8); and Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 (http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/buy/single/production.aspx?id=15339&src=t)

SEX AT 68 I just took a leaflet out of my mailbox, informing me that I can have sex at 68. I'm so happy, because I live at number 72.  So it's not too far to walk home afterwards.  And it's the same side of the street. I don't even have to cross the road.

~~~~~ Answering machine message, "I am not available right now,

but thank you for caring enough to call.  I am making some changes in my life.  Please leave a message after the beep.  If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."

~~~~~

My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine.

~~~~~

Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.

~~~~~

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.  ~~~~~

The irony of life is that, by the time you're old enough to know your way around, you're not going anywhere.

~~~~~ God made man before woman so as to give him time to think of an answer for her first question.

~~~~~

I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

~~~~~

Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

~~~~~

Aspire to inspire before you expire.

While we can still tell these jokes ....

The Jewish Elbow

A Jewish grandmother is giving directions to her grown grandson who is coming to visit, with his wife.
'You come to the front door of the apartments.  I'm in apartment 301.  There's a big panel at the front door.  With your elbow, push the button 301.  I will buzz you in.  Come inside and the elevator is on the right.  Get in, and with your elbow puish 3rd floor.  When you get out, I'm on the left.  With your elbow hit my door bell.  OK?'
'Grandma that sounds easy, but why am I hitting these these buttons with my elbow?'
'What ... You're coming empty handed?'


Wife Italian Grandfather

An old Italian may in Brooklyn is dying.
He calls his grandson to his bedside, 'Guide, I wan' you lissina me.  I wan' you to take-a my chrome plated ... 38 revolver to you will always remember me.'
'But grandpa, I really don't like guns... How about you leave me your Rolex watch instead?'
'You lissina me, boy! Somma day you gonna have a beautiful wife, lotsa money, a big-a home and maybe a couple of bambinos.'
'Somma day you gonna come-a home and maybe finda your wife inna bed with another man.  Whatta you gonna do then?  Pointa to your watch and say, 'Time's up!'?'



Irish Blonde

An attractive blonde from Cork arrived at the casino. 
She seemed a little intoxicated and bet £10,000 on a single roll of the dice.
She said,'I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when I'm completely nude.'
With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and with an Irish brogue yelloed 'Come on baby, Mama needs new clothes!'
As the dice came to a stop, she jumped up and down and squealed, 'Yes! Yes! I won, I won!'
She hugged each of the dealers, picked up her winnings and her clothes and quickly departed.  The dealers started at each other dumbfounded.
Finally one of them asked 'What did she roll?'
The other answered, 'I don't know - I thought you were watching.'

The MORAL OF THE STORY: Not all Irish are drunks, not all blondes are dumb ... but all men ... are men!

What to take on our cruise

• cruise documents
• parking documents
• passports
• wallet and bum belt
• EHIC card
• another picture ID - if you don't take driver's licence
• credit cards - be sure to call credit card companies before travelling to alert them
• watch
• foreign currency 
• contact numbers to report lost/stolen cards
• emergency numbers at home
• prescription drugs and any other essential medications in carry on bag
• specs
• guidebooks and other port of call information/maps
• foreign language phrase book or dictionary
• reading material
• journal or notebook and pen/pencil - for making notes 
• currency conversion chart
• mobile and charger
• camera and charger/spare batteries
• extra memory cards for digital camera
• iPod and charger
• home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home
• netbook?
• binoculars
• duct tape or strapping tape
• various sizes of plastic bags
• Swiss Army knife or similar
• small umbrella
• back cushion
• ear plugs
• small first aid kit
• pain killers and other non-prescription tablets
• Crazy glue?
• playing cards
• insect spray 
• sun screen/sun block and lip sunblock
• germicidal hand cleaner/wet wipes
• hand lotion
• rubbing alcohol or foot lotion for soothing tired, hot feet
• sun/rain hats
• empty folding tote bag - for souvenirs or the beach
• sewing kit, safety pins and scissors 
• hand clothes wash

from: www.cruisedirectonline.com/packing.html#Women_Pack_More

Also on this site there are ideas of what to pack - for both men and women, a 'leaving home' checklist and also lots of packing tips.

Body MOISTURISER

Pour 40 ml sesame oil, 40 ml sweet almond oil and 20 ml jojoba oil into a pump-top bottle and then add 25 - 30 drops of essential oil.

Perhaps lavender and mandarin for a night-time oil and rosemary and eucalyptus for a refreshing morning one.

Apply after a shower when the skin is only patted dry and still has a few water droplets on to help spread it.

From Jasmine Hemsley, Chef

WAL-MART SENIOR GREETER You just have to appreciate this one.  Young people forget that we old people had a career before we retired...... Charley, a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp-minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies. One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. "Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang-up job when you finally get here; but your being late so often is quite bothersome." "Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it." "Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear.” “Yes sir, I understand your concern and I’ll try harder.” Seeming puzzled, the manager went on to comment, “It's odd though your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say to you there if you showed up in the morning so late and so often?" The old man looked down at the floor, then smiled. He chuckled quietly, then said with a grin, "They usually saluted and said, ‘Good morning, Admiral, can I get your coffee, sir?’” One of my favorite stories, ever!