Da Capo, 2nd December 2006

After playing at the Da Capo school earlier in the year, we were asked back to play for their end of year concert. The children and adults who attend the school, which provides an exciting and innovative approach to music education - look them up - have a concert to show what they are about and what they can achieve.

The invitation allowed us to try out a lot of the music we have been working on recently - a lot of the new French songs we have been developing, plus some reworking some of material from our CD. WE also had a nice quiet room to rehearse in for a couple of hours which was a real luxury (instead of worrying about the neighbours!)

The first half of the concert was a little difficult as a lot of the children were tired and excitable from the day's work and concert, and took a little time to settle. Trying to play without amplification into that environment, meant we were somewhat drowned out. But, it was good practice for us and we enjoyed what we were doing.

When we had a break, some of the teachers from the school, superb musicians each and every one, put on a concert of Russian and Greek music. Klezma is such a wonderfiul music form - from the exhilirating to the heart rending.

As the audience thinned out, we were left with a group of adults and children who were more keen and able to listen and so, for our second set, we were much more able to be heard and, by all accounts, everyone enjoyed what we did. We even sold a few CDs, which is nice.

The organisers looked after us wonderfully well, feeding us up during our break - so thanks to Michell, Jane, Paco and the team for a wonderful welcome and soem excellent food!

We now turning our attentions to the Knig Harry in St. Albans on the 5th December - so, this was an excellent workout for us.