Wednesday, June 15, 2022 by Averil Spence-Clarke | Uncategorized

Hi Everyone:

You are probably all in the "countdown to summer vacation mode"!  I am sure that not having to attend music lessons has already made that a reality. ☺  Of course, I hope that you are still touching your instruments if not actively practicing.  For myself, I did bring my flute along and I now practice in the gym in the basement at nights (the gym is usually not being used).  Hopefully the sound does not percolate up to the reception area but so far, I have not had any complaints. 

Happy to say that I am still enjoying every moment of my vacation!!  With history all around me, great weather (sunny and in the 70's) which is unusual for such an extended period, comfortable walking shoes and 4 directions to explore, I can truly say that I am not bored!! ☺  

So far, some of the amazing experiences that I have had:

• up close and personal with Shakespeare - explored the Globe theatre, a recreation of what it would have been like in Shakespeare's time and had the opportunity to see the rehearsal for an upcoming performance of King Lear.  I hope to go and see it as a "groundling" - in period time, these would have been the peasants who paid a penny to stand and see the performance which means you are practically on the stage.
• attended a performance of Mahler's Symphony #2 with the London Philharmonia Orchestra, soloists and chorus at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.  There were over 120 in the chorus & 80 members of the orchestra.  Even more exciting, this was being recorded live for BBC.  If you have access to BBC Radio 3, you can hear this performance until the end of June.
• attended a "Sung service" at St. Paul's Cathedral followed by a short organ concert - truly amazing and inspiring sound 
• tour the Museum of London from prehistoric times through to current times.  Attended talks on the Great Fire of London (did you know that it started with a baker's oven?) and heard about "Beasties & Unusual Apparitions" - scary and farcical!!
• attended a showcase of different arts and designs by students from the "National Saturday Club" including such areas as Writing & Talking, Art & Design, Society & Change etc.  These high school students meet weekly under the tutelage of an expert in the field to discover and develop their interests.  
• walked around along Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes's home was on Baker Street), the Marble Arch, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Gardens, took a bus tour of the city, rode on a double decker bus and much more!!

On the lighter side:

• my morning view is of the Millenium Bridge overlooking the Thames and all the foot and boat traffic
• a City of London Boy's School is doors away from my hotel & any day that I walk by, I am serenaded by music classes and practice sessions.  I will oftentimes sit and listen to the kids practice.
• I have climbed more steps than ever before.  For example there are  48 steps to get to the top of the Waterloo Bridge from the Embankment and 52 to get back down on the other side. 
• There are more cobblestones than pavement which means - do not try to wear heels (I saw a lady walking barefoot with her shoes in hand because she kept tippling over).  Everybody (for the most part) wears running shoes even business men in suits!  
• Clothing ranges from the traditional to anything goes.  Everyone that I have asked says "comfort" is the main focus.  
• Everyone except visitors carries a backpack or a rolling case.  They also "eat on the run" all the time. 
• With so many "green spaces", it seems as if most people sunbathe once the weather is good - so walking along the embankment of the Thames, it's usual to spy lots of feet while the bodies are hidden by the shrubbery. 
• It is not unusual to hear all languages except English being spoken as London is a true "tourist mecca/hub" and of course, many people are still here from the Jubilee celebrations.  One day I counted at least 10 different languages.
• The pigeons are myriad and have no fear of humans.  They fly so close to your head that you spend a lot of time ducking!!  In fact, one of the members of the staff here said that a guest who was on the walkway outside our hotel decided to eat his lunch there.  The pigeons dive bombed him and stole the sandwich right out of his hand!!  Believe me, I stay as far away from them as is possible.

But, on to Summer Music Lessons:

I have had some questions re: summer lessons, so thought this would be the easiest way to respond.

• Available times are already posted on the portal.
• you will notice that there are two entries for each lesson(one that says Lesson-In Studio and the other that says Zoom)
• Since I plan to reopen the studio for in-person lessons on my return, you can choose to book either type of lesson.  It does not have to remain the same for each lesson.  Example:  for the first week you might want to receive a Zoom lesson and the following week an In-Studio lesson.  Book whichever is most convenient. I will delete the alternative.  
• If you usually receive an hour's lesson, please book two half hour lessons back to back and I will connect them.  
• On my return, I will send emails confirming the lesson times that have been booked.
• Note:  For those who wish to move to the next level, please do plan on taking some lessons over the summer as the exams will take place mid-to-end of September.
• If you still have any questions, feel free to email or "What's App" me. Do know that emails arrive on their own schedule, so don't be worried if it takes a day or two to receive my response.

Take care and see you in a few weeks.

Cheers

Mrs. A.

Monday, June 6, 2022 by Averil Spence-Clarke | Uncategorized

Hi Everyone&GreetingsfromEngland!!  

First, I miss seeing all your "happy" faces!!

Second, it is so good to be here and to be seeing Christopher in person!! ☺x a million

Getting here was a bit of a challenge (my flight from Windsor to Toronto was cancelled at the last minute, but thanks to good friends I made it to London to make the connection).  On arrival, my driver from the airport to the apartment/hotel that I am staying at was new, so what should have been a short ride because a real tour of the city to my benefit.  Happy to say that I made it and am now ensconced in a lovely studio apartment overlooking the Thames (thanks to my brother).

Being able to attend Christopher's second year recital in person was awesome.  He did an amazing job (a one hour concert BY MEMORY). As soon as it is available, he will post it to his YouTube channel.

On Friday, I was able to attend a screening of "2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick (one of my all time favourite movies) accompanied by a live Orchestra - fabulous performance and it added so much to the emotion of the movie.

I have been "walking" London - upwards of 15 km per day, just sightseeing and relearning the city.

Saturday, had a chance to see the Bloomberg Space "London Mithraeum" exhibit, built on the original site of a Temple to Mithras and discovered during excavation for a new building.  Very exciting!  Then spent some time at the Tate Museum - some amazing contemporary & surreal art exhibits.  Of course, I could have tried to attend the Jubilee Party at Westminster Castle but did not feel up to battling  30,000+ people, so watched it in comfort from my apartment while dining.  I did get to attend a street part in this neighbourhood & danced a jig or two in celebration.

Yesterday, attended a church service and concert at St. Paul's Cathedral - the organ & organist were awesome.  I plan to attend a few more concerts here - it is just up the hill from my apartment.

Getting ready to head out  to the Victoria & Albert Museum - hope that I don't get lost in there. It is huge & I know that I will probably have to spend more than one visit there.

Re: Lessons:  I do apologize but there is some major construction going on in the neighbourhood (two new & huge high rise buildings being built), so internet & Wi Fi have not been very consistent.  I usually have to wait for messages to be sent.  That means that I do not have the ability to schedule lessons with any accuracy.  I am disappointed but I know that all of you will be cheering.☺  Hopefully we can make it up over the summer and into fall.

I'll keep you updated and if anything changes re: schedulling, I'll email.  

Take care & look forward to sharing lots of stories on my return & hearing all of your exciting ones about the start of summer & holiday plans.

Till then, Cheers

Mrs. A.