I had determined that the senior forms would hear at least one symphony in their live, and found a broadcast of Dvořák's 'New World' Symphony which exactly slotted into a period of Sixth-Form music. Having analysed the work, played examples on the piano, and made sure of some knowledge of the instruments, we were all set to hear the full work. Just as the first chord sounded in came the head, briskly asking if anyone could give him two sixpences for a shilling he was brandishing. This gambit covering merely the introduction, he made out during the exposition with small talk about the soccer semi-final we had lost the week before. As I was responsible for training the said team, I couldn't really complain - or could I? Certainly I gave up after that... << less