On Stage at Leighton Middle School!

Leighton Middle School is Famous for it’s Beautiful Grounds!

Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye!

I promised you all the second part to my blog today after a busy week and no sooner did I return from Hastings I was back to school with Leighton Middle here in my home town of Leighton Buzzard. This must be something like my 8th year going into schools and my lesson plan is all about the music of WW2 and how social events brought about the changes in popular music. When ever I go into schools I take along my props and costumes and I get the children to try on my hats when singing “The Army the Navy and the Air Force”. I owe so much to Miss Short who was my music teacher at Leighton Middle School and if it wasn’t for her I probably wouldn’t be a professional singer today.

When I went up to my middle school from juniors I wanted desperately to do drama and be in the school plays but because I was dyslexic I couldn’t read the scripts and I found myself excluded. So I found another way to express myself through dance and I joined the school choir instead . Miss Short recognised my potential and I sang solos and choreographed my own dance routines as I loved Ballet and later danced in the schools musical production of  Capella. Leighton Middle has a wonderful music department which is all down to the dedication of Miss Short and her empathy for others in recognising talent. Eventually I was able to play a part in the school play but this didn’t happen until I was 15 at my Upper School when I was cast as the Artful Dodger in Oliver. I remember raising a few eyebrows when I said I wanted to audition for a boys part – but play Dodger I did – even if it took until I was 15 before I could read the script!

What I enjoy most about going into schools is working with children and harnessing their energies. Making the lessons fun and bringing in a few facts about the war as they sing the songs. When I talk about rationing the favourite seems to be “Yes we have no Bananas” as I get the children to do actions and they always enjoy waving flags at the end for “We’ll Meet Again” and “Wish me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye”.

Today I’m booked to do my WW1 Show “Pack Up Your Troubles” in Ealing at the Ealing No One Club and then next week it’s 50s and 60s and the 20s and 30s before we get set for the Christmas Season. Gosh where does the time go to!

That’s all my news for now as I must sort out my costumes for tonight and decide which WW1 costume to wear.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!