I thought what a better time than now to thank one of the key people to my life, considering that I’ve finally left Henry Cort for good, what a better time then now to thank him.
For the past 3/4 years Ben has been there for me no matter what, whether it be music or something completely opposite, even though his advice may not seem practical to others but to me it means so much more.
Without him I wouldn’t have started my favourite pass time activity, which has taught me discipline and so much more.
Within the first week within January 2017 (the 5th I think) my class and I were introduced to our new substitute teacher, at first I found the whole situation weird as it takes time for me to get used to new people.
After getting to know him a lot more than I did compared to the time of him first joining, my taste in music changed to a much more heavy and to a slower pace than usual, with touches of Jazz on the side which I have grown to love to this very day.
At the beginning of this year, I began to look at myself as more of a professional musician and began to take more pride within my craft, I thought this would be more productive rather than messing around with others and getting involved with petty friendships and all that crazy jive.
With Ben alongside, I was guided within the right direction for doing such, as sad as it may sound, I preferred to spend my free time at break, lunch and after school with him talking about music, literature and film, rather than talking to other students as they were a bad influence on me from the very start. I found myself to be more mature and more open minded when I let myself do so, which has been a great attribute at college.
Nearing the end of my final academic year at Henry Cort, the creative arts department as a whole put on a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘School of Rock’. All besides from helping out Ben and the music department where I could which I always took great pride within, the production was the best thing I had done during my time at Henry Cort. Considering that our whole pit band learned the majority of the score by ear, it went very well, it was also a good laugh amongst the band which was always fun even within rehearsal when we got occasionally fed up with it all!
At the end of the academic year, I found it very upsetting to be leaving Ben and the creative-arts department behind, but he let me know that I’m always welcome to come back and give a hand, I’ll always be there to help him out and he will always be there to help me which is nice to know.
If you are reading this Ben, I’d like to thank you again and say the following,
For the final two years or so at Henry Cort you were the driving force for me due to my major lack within confidence, even though you had only just started I trusted you with my capabilities as a student and musician, from that point onwards I saw my self grow rapidly.
Whilst I grew as a student, I watched you do such as a teacher and it makes me genuinely happy to see the impact you’ve had on the other students you’re teaching and helping them achieve to the best of their abilities.
If it wasn’t for you I’d most probably be lost on what to do with myself, leaving to goto college was daunting but I’ve settled in nicely with help from you and Chris.
I look forward to seeing you and the Music Department grow to your full potential as I know you’re the best there is! But seriously, don’t forget to GET AFTER IT.
Ellie Thornton Music 