Another special moment for me yesterday as one of my younger students Harry Downworth (aged 9) came in for his lesson with his Dad Michael and said “I’ve got a surprise for you…..”

For a fleeting moment my mind scanned all of the potential possibilities….. now Harry is quite a serious young chap who practices his guitar diligently… has already completed an Initial Grade Acoustic Guitar exam through the London College of Music and achieved a Distinction…is currently studying for his Grade 2 Acoustic exam in the summer…he has the sweetest sounding junior sized Taylor acoustic I’ve ever heard…”but yes it must be the jacket!!” I thought… Harry also has the smartest leather motorbike jacket I’ve ever seen and one day I’m sure he’ll let me borrow it – “maybe that’s it???” I thought…..

No – wrong on all counts!! For that fleeting moment I’d completely forgotten about the project Harry had been involved in at school over the last few months. I got a call from his Mum 3 or 4 weeks ago to listen to Radio Tees as the track they had recorded was being played.

Well, today here was my surprise – a copy of his new CD Harrowgate Hill ~ Jubilee Rock. Wow!!! “Only one thing missing Harry” I said…. “Your autograph”. Harry duly obliged and I can now ad another treasure to my collection of original autographed student recordings. You never know….one day??!!

I think you will agree “Harrowgate Hill School ~ Jubilee Rock”  is a brilliant result led by Wil Taylor and Stuie Ellerton of the Northern School of Contemporary Music which is definitely worth an invitation to Buckingham Palace any time soon!!!