A bit about music exams in UK and France
They're really different. I think I have already mentioned that while in the UK people generally find a private teacher for their instrument, or do it through a school scheme, here there are municipal music school, conservatoires and so on. The situation is a little more complex than I had first understood, because the schools vary in the rigidity of their organisation: the most, the conservatoires, next the municipals, then the associations. Our music school is an association, but it tends to apply the standards of the municipal schools with its programme of cycles, etc. Britain - grade 1 to 8, grade 8 being roughly equivalent to A-level, pre university/conservatoire. France - 3 cycles, each taking about 4 years, with 3ème cycle being roughly equivalent to grade 8. Theory of music - UK to take grade 8 you need theory grade 5. In France you study theory alongside your instrumental studies, very slowly. Catrin's flute music is MUCH more difficult than the stuff she does in theor
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Some of the church folk find my attitude to the English team quite comical.
I think it's entirely reasonable.
I'm British but I'm not English.
I'd support a British team, but I have no more reason to support England than Ireland or Scotland. Less, in fact - the Scots and Ires are fellow Celts.
Like the French, who also have celtic roots. Apparently that's why they have that funny 'u' sound. It's a celtic sound.
But we Brits are surely the best losers in the world! We train our kids ot be good losers, and it really pays off. Look at Tiger Tim Henman. The man's a hero! He picks himself up, dusts himself off and goes for it time and time again. I hope he never retires!
The gospel, however, will never lose. It knows setbacks and difficulties, but only temporary ones, and they prepare the way for a greater triumph to come.