Mixed Mental Mayhem

Oh wow, what a week! (and there's still another mental one to go...)

I know it's the end of term, so one should expect it to be very busy, but seriously. I have aged quite a bit this week...

I hate having to be in two places at once. Its just not feasible, and causes a lot of stress. This happened to me this past week (and I've got it again tomorrow).

It started with an "11th Day" on Monday (the "11th Day" is this thing that the school do, whereby every so often - and not necessarily every 11th day, they take the whole school off timetable to do various projects). For this particular 11th day, I booked in jazz musicians Tomorrow's Warriors to work with the girls on improvisational skills and general musicianship. We had Abram Wilson (trumpet) leading the workshop, assisted by Gary Crosby (bass) and a dude called Shabakah (tenor sax / clarinet). I can't remember the name of the guy on kit, but he was excellent. Anyway, the kids really enjoyed the workshop and got a lot out of it. But the reason it was so stressful is that Monday was also the day of the 2nd of the Cruse farewell gala events, in that it was the special church service with the Bishop of Kingston. I had to organise a bunch of girls to sing "Give Thanks" and also performing "Very Real Way". So here I am, sorting out kids with Tomorrow's Warriors, then rushing off for the church service, then running back for more Tomorrow's Warriors... seriously tired by the end of the day hey.

Tuesday and Wednesday were sort of normal, actually taught someone something for a change, then Thursday was the day of 'Triple M' - Mixed, Mental Mayhem. Before I can fully explain, I have to give you a bit of background. In England they have this stupid thing called Enterprise Education, which basically means I have to spend some time teaching about careers in music, and the music business etc. To be honest, its a pile of rubbish. But we have to do it, so that's why its easiest if you get an organisation in to do a workshop - then you can tick the 'enterprise' box for another year, and be done with it. So on Thursday we had in this group called Urban Edge, who did a workshop with 50 kids on designing logos, organising an event, singing / songwriting, and playing keyboards / guitars. The problem was that the tutors got caught in traffic, weren't allowed into the school (because I didn't know exactly who was coming so I hadn't told the school keepers), and then they hadn't told me exactly how many computers etc were required, so I had to spend ages rustling a few up. The kids seemed to enjoy the workshops though and I was pleased to get to the end of the day.

Then there was Friday. Event number 3 in Mrs Cruse's gala farewell. This was the big one, a concert in honour of Mrs Cruse. The Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra were performing and I was supposed to be conducting the concert band and the orchestra, but one of my teachers at the last minute wasn't able to make it, and I suddenly found myself having to play Tuba for the Concert Band. Completely ridiculous. Going from Baritone Sax in the Jazz Band, straight to Tuba for the next item - couple this with the fact I had to walk in carrying these oversized instruments in my black satin dress and ridiculously high heels - man, I nearly stacked it several times! But the event went well, the Head seemed happy - 3 down, 1 to go. Fortunately we don't have to do anything at the last one.

So it's been hectic. And it's not about to let up next week. On Monday we have 18 kids doing ABRSM exams, so we have a visiting examiner. At the same time (oh how I love this 'be in two places at once' malarkey) I have to rehearse the gospel choir, then run an assembly for the new Yr 7s coming in next year, then teach some "taster" sessions to them... its a joke. Then, I have to go to the Macedonian embassy to get a visa at 3.30pm, then be at the Institute of Education at 5pm for the final session of this course I've been on called Leading from the Middle (which to be honest has been a bit of a joke).

Tuesday and Wednesday should again be normal, but Thursday is Junior Prize Day - so its all mental mayhem again!

Seriously, I can't wait for the holidays...