Way back twenty-odd years ago I was teaching in Beverley and Nick was starting out on his career. A group of us had organised the first of Nick’s solo gigs in Hull which had turned out a storming success. Hull, and the surrounding area, is a place that Nick has triumphantly returned to, at a variety of venues, time after time and he always receives a rousing reception.
I suggested to him that, as he was up in Beverley for a couple of days he might like to come into my school and meet the kids. He foolishly agreed. He’s up for anything, is Nick.
So, it came to pass that Nick arrived, guitar in hand, and I took him along to the 6th Form common room where a bunch of bemused 6th formers wondered what the hell was going on. I had nothing planned. They had not been prepared.
Nick was very relaxed about the whole thing, sat around talking to the kids. They didn’t have a clue who he was, even after I introduced him. They had never heard of Nick Harper. He then took his guitar out and started playing and they were bewitched and amazed. I don’t think that they’d ever seen or heard such virtuosity close up, live. He stayed for an hour or two, chatting and playing, laughing and joking, impressing them with his skills. It was such a relaxed impromptu gathering. News spread. More kids arrived. They all sat around thoroughly enjoying this unexpected sharing. I bet there were a few lessons short on numbers that morning.
From that day forth I noticed quite a few of those students turning up to Nick gigs.
I think Nick enjoyed the experience too. I certainly didn’t have to twist his arm too much to get him to come back. On five or six more occasions he’d turn up and play for the kids, turning them on to good, live music. Of course, I loved it too! Nick’s a special guy and his warmth was contagious. It was great to watch them all interact.
For me, that’s what education really is!