STOP PRESS!! I got a DISTINCTION!!! - and everyone who took part in the Grade One-a-thon passed, with about half of us getting distinctions! To all my sponsors: thank you VERY MUCH - it has been quite an incentive to do well, having you all behind me!

In a moment of sheer brilliance, the Music Dept at Wycombe High School presented staff and friends of WHS with a challenge; to learn a new instrument and pass a Grade One exam in six months. Participants are being sponsored to raise money for the ‘Play Your Part’ campaign. WHS is looking to raise £1.5m to build a new Music block and upgrade Performing Arts facilities in other parts of the school. The 'Play Your Part' campaign calls on everybody in the school community to use their talents and skills to raise these funds. Sixty (yes 60!) members of staff are taking up the challenge. We hope to make a big impact for the campaign.

I'm teaching Mrs Morgan the piano (lucky me!) and I also decided to try to learn the cello. It's fun - and a nice change from piano (and oboe, which I also play). I'm playing Charlie's cello and he's given me some useful hints, an unexpected return for 12 years of chauffeuring him to his weekly cello lessons. Georgia Betteridge is also giving me some patient guidance at school and managing to keep a straight face during my lessons. Helen Johnston and Deborah Behrman have also given me great advice. Thank you all for your help. It's humbling - but also exciting - to be back at the beginning.

You can follow progress, watch videos and find out more at:

http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/course/view.php?id=4917

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