Music
School Concerts of the 1960s
By Kathryn Betts
Under the leadership of Mrs Thompson, the infant teacher, and supported by Mr Harding, the headteacher, music became an extremely important part of the school in the 1960s.
Mrs Thompson would often play the piano at break times and lunchtimes. Numerous school concerts were held and the Rhythm Rascals accordion band was formed. Mr Harding, who could not read music, developed a novel system of teaching the accordion using alphabetical note names. The band became so popular that Mr Harding had to refuse some requests for its appearance.
By April 1967, according to a newspaper report, nearly 60 children at the school were learning to play musical instruments, with 40 playing recorders and melodicas and 18 playing the piano accordion.
Many musical concerts were held at the school throughout this decade. Mrs Thompson, the infant teacher, produced every concert and played the piano for each one.
Below is a program from the musical evening that was held at the school on 14th July 1965.
Photograph courtesy of Meldreth Primary School
Below is a newspaper report from an end of term concert, held in July 1966:
Standing, from left to right: Margaret Pigg, Hazel Jacklin,
Helen Howell, Barbara Handscombe, Keith Saunders, Anthony Purves, Margaret Easter
Seated, from left to right: Jane Harris, Jacqueline Hall,
Elaine Handscombe, Irene Smith, Portia Askew
The following report of the choral evening appeared in the Royston Crow: