Paralympic Torch relay

I started the Harping On blog back in January 2011 as part of a grade-1-a-thon to raise money for Spinal Injuries Association and in support of Guy Llewllyn who had suffered an injury in 2010. While the main grade-1-a-thon only lasted for two months many of us continued with our new challenges and the Spinal Injuries Association of course have to keep going and continue raising funds for their on-going work. However it is often possible to look back and reflect on past work and today Guy is a torchbearer in the Paralympic Torch relay. Guy posted a message on a social networking site thanking everyone for "messages of support and kindness" and also mentioning that the grade-1-a-thon and money raised from that was just one reason why he was nominated by the SIA. I hope he won't mind me quoting him here but he finished by declaring: "So a flame not just for the Paralympic movement, but for all the unsung heroes who help and support the disabled every hour of every day."

Guy will probably be setting off at around 5pm in Tower Hamlets. There is a tiny bit of information here:
http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/torch-relay/torchbearers/community=tower-hamlets/index.html
as well as information about the whole relay which started last night at Stoke Mandeville Hosiptal.

I was hoping to go but haven't made it down to London today but wish Guy and the rest of the torchbearers all the best for their part in today's relay.

Grade 4 result...

My grade 4 harp exam result arrived this morning. I got 141/150 which is a distinction and one mark better than my grade 2 and 3 results... so I am improving! The best piece was Butterflies with just one or two marks dropped in other sections and comments were generally positive so I am really pleased with that. My only concern was that the examiner put my name as Steve Reeve (although it is Stephanie on the certificate) so I'm not sure where he got that from.

I'm still practising hard as I want to get a piece recorded for mine and Chris's wedding ceremony and I have been playing pieces from some of the new books I bought at the harp festival. I will start to look at grade 5 pieces but have to be carfeul not to become too exam focussed so I will carry on with easier pieces. For me having an exam looming does seem the most effective way to get me to learn a piece to the highest standard but I still need to think about certain areas of technique and work more on my sight-reading skills. Of course the more I learn and improve the more I realise there is to learn and improve on so I just hope I can keep the momentum going for a little longer!