Old Town School - On The Road
Dispatches from the road from our wayfaring travelers.
Day by Day
We’re having an incredible time. Other than the fact that I, Barbie S., am on the National TSA list as possibly being dangerous, we’ve had easy plane experiences, and arrived in London Thursday morning low on sleep, high in spirits, and cozy as a family of 7. Steve L. had his first Starbuck’s at the London airport before our next flight to the lovely town of Newcastle.
We spent part of Thursday toodling around Newcastle in a rented van through the beautiful rolling English countryside between our generous hosts’ homes, and visiting the impressive Sage Gateshead. This incredible blimp-shaped facility houses four music halls, one of them 1700 capacity, practice rooms, multiple programs in formal and non-formal music education (with Newcastle University) and concerts and performances of every variety and stripe, all in a glassed-in modern structure that overlooks the winding Tyne river.
Thursday night we had a jam session with our hosts and some other musicians who play fiddle and North Umbrian pipes (like a bagpipe). Delicious homemade food and baked bread, the air so clean and fresh and wholesome, our hosts Ros and Graham and Theo and Pam so joyous, so British in speech and hospitality.
After Graham’s breakfast of eggs, toast and kippers, we set out to perform at Marley Hill school, where we each led a number and Boogie got all the kids up hip-hopping. Then we vehicled into Gateshead across the river from the Sage, went to the market place past churches from the 1500’s and colored flowers dotting cobblestone walkways and charming cafes. Had a meeting with the Sage
Gateshead people this afternoon to share descriptions of Old Town School and Sage, and brainstorm ideas. Headed to a pub in Gateshead, and then a Chinese music concert here at the Sage.
Friday night’s Chinese music concert was multi-layered, long and overly ambitious, though had it’s incredible elements involving Singapore Orchestra players, professional and lay singers, chanting and movement. It was a tribute commemorating the tragic death of 23 cockle fishers in southern England due in equal parts to racial bigotry and unpredictable tidewaters. Long story for another time.
Saturday morning we drove to Durham to see the Cathedral there built in 1093 with a fascinating history behind it dating back to the 700’s, and the Wear River looping the town which was once a fortress against William the Conqueror. The town is absolutely to fall in love with, winding climbing streets, a charming bustling town square, rich history abounding. We spent two hours in a pub ordering fish and chips.
We dashed back to the Sage for a performance Saturday afternoon of seven members of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra stunning and beautifully crafted by Alistair Anderson, the humble, joyful and renowned concertina player who helped form this Sage Gateshead venue.
Then Saturday night we canned all organized plans and went to a local pub where amid the noise and jollity Joe Filisko sneaked in a brilliant rendition of a slow blues into Circle Be Unbroken, and a spontaneous combustion group of 5 guys in traditional Rapper outfits performed their sword Rappers dance to two live fiddles in a space so small you could land a hoola hoop inside it.
Today, Sunday, our flight was cancelled because of snow, so we scrambled onto a Metro train and hightailed to the rail station. We are on a London-bound train, hoping we can reschedule a flight to Helsinki. The weather lifted, sunshine reigns, and we are soaking up the English countryside from the connecter areas of two train cars, as the train is jammed with people. Luggage is piled helter skelter next to us, we are crammed like cattle a space of a few square feet, and we are laughing and joking and enjoying nevertheless.
Filed under: NOTES FROM BARB by Barb | April 7, 2008 |
In the Classroom
On Stage
Support Our School
Music Store
Resources
About Us
- tel 773.728.6000
- fax 773.728.6999
- webmaster