It struck me today that blogging is time consuming, especially in and amongst everything else that I do! So, I doubt whether I will ever become a social media sensation or influencer! I just don’t have the time! It’s been very busy for me since the middle of January and Easter has given me a little time to relax and recover. But the remainder of the year continues to be busy.

I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of new people and reconnect with others over the past few months and I continually realise how lucky I am to be able to do what I enjoy.

There have been a couple of occasions where I have had to stop and reflect on my actions and way of working recently, not for anything deep or concerning, but just to take stock of how and why I do things. Whilst I am very confident in what I do, it doesn’t do any harm to stop and take a moment to recalibrate.

I have been so focused on all of my musical activities, that I haven’t really had time to consider anything else. But whilst working in Northern Ireland recently I was taken aback to hear that the security level had risen to ‘severe’. It made me ponder on how fragile the world is and how we are in the hands of those few who seek to bring harm to others, either through conflict or political disharmony.

I have commented before about the calendar on my desk which each day gives me a new quote to consider and has been doing so since 2016.

So, for yesterday Benjamin Disraeli, former Prime Minister (1868 and then 1874-1880) wrote “there is no education like adversity” and today Henry Miller, (an American novelist) wrote “develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”

I am a great believer in learning and from whatever, wherever and whomever that comes; equally we should look at what we have around us and enjoy it, whether complex or simple.

I have a busy week coming up with teaching, rehearsals, meetings and concerts – so I will be back on Sunday. I am going to try and beat my blogging output of 2021 – so only another 33 to go!

So, Christmas and New Year in Spain was just the rest that I needed. The year started with a return of intensive rehearsals with our community men for the return of the Spring Tour of WASTELAND which was abruptly cut short due to the pandemic. It was great to be back with the Gary Clarke Company and to be seeing old friends again, as well as making new ones!

I am also looking forward to working with the North East Lincolnshire Music Hub on singing days for Key Stage 1 and 2 voices – around 1200 children in total! My Festival work began in mid-February in Gibraltar and is ending this weekend in Portadown. I have listened to thousands of performances and have enjoyed every single one of them. Adjudicating gives a wonderful insight into the musical life of a community.

I have had successful concerts with both Honley and Chesterfield and I am looking forward to my first of the season with Altrincham.

There have been great performances from my GSCE and A Level students and I have been really proud of their achievements.

As usual I have been commenting on social media about a number of things, but politics is never far from my focus. I am, as many others dismayed with the current political scene, not just in this country but around the world. Being honest, I can’t doing anything about it, but I doubt I will be a passive observer!

I am looking forward to a little downtime when I am back home before life starts to get busy again. In the meantime, happy Sunday!