Londonʼs Past, Present and Future

The Map Room: One of the 20+ underground Churchill War Rooms where much was left intact.

While in London for the Inclusive Practice in Action workshop, I arrived a couple days early to meet with folks from the Creative Learning Department at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, visit the National Gallery and Portrait Gallery, explore the Churchill War Rooms and see a musical or two (or three). Although I wasnʼt able to meet with anyone from Guildhall, I did learn that the Paul Hamlyn Foundation commissioned Guildhall to develop a creative and collective Classroom Workshopping project as a FREE downloadable resource housed on the Musical Futures website. The website provides teacher notes, downloads and audio and video. In 11 short video clips, Guildhall teachers model the creative composition process with students from the Musical Futures Champion School, Morpeth School. Many of the Musical Futuresʼ resources are free to access. All you need to do is create a Musical Futures account - also free. The website has a wealth of resources and trainings for music teachers across the globe. Check them out! Here is the first of eleven short clips modeling the Classroom Workshopping project:

The National Gallery and Portrait Gallery were incredible and overwhelming, but what Iʼd like to highlight is the Churchill War Rooms. I felt like I was traveling back in time, as many of the 20+ underground rooms were kept largely intact - including wartime wall maps, switchboard and telephones, and living quarters. As part of the ticket price, you get a portable audio tour, featuring interviews with key staff and Churchillʼs inspiring speeches. They also have a museum dedicated to Churchillʼs life. An extraordinary man who bolstered the morale and determination of the British people. This a must-stop for anyone visiting London.

 And finally, I treated myself to a couple of musicals (I am a music teacher afterall):

• School of Rock: talented cast, including the kids who all played their instruments live.
• Song for Nobodies: one-woman show whose incredible voice and versatility shifted between Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas. Well-worth checking out the link.
• Come From Away: the true story of how the small communities of Gander Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada unexpectedly housed 38 planes diverted from landing in New York after 911.

I did not have the chance to see the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Part I and II) but had to include a photo for my students back at Glacier Valley in Juneau, Alaska.