It’s finally time to have a rest after a very busy 7 months. There has been a lot going on and with many memorable moments. I have to admit to not being good a relaxing, but just having the time to catch up and recharge the batteries is good.

The moment I stop, it always takes me a few days to allow my body to settle into a new routine, but once it does I can enjoy simply sitting and relaxing. I am going to try a little bit of reading too. It has been an absolute joy to work with some incredible musicians over this past year, not only musically, but creatively too! There is so much in the arts world of which to be proud. I am sure there are areas where we could do better and in particular financial support from Government and Arts Bodies, but there is a lot to shout about.

I always enjoy planning future concerts and events, in fact there is nothing I like better than getting my new diary! I know some people out there will know what I mean! I have work in the diary into 2027, so I know how lucky I am to have this! But, I also know some people out there would hate to be looking so far ahead…but I love it!

On a final note, you don’t realise how much it means to be appreciated, until you are and there have been some lovely comments come my way recently! So I say thank you from the bottom of my heart!

In 2006 I stepped down from my full-time post at Barnsley College after 17 years! I left because a wonderful musical opportunity came my way and I am pleased and more than a little surprised to now be celebrating 17 years working as a freelance musician! Both jobs were and are special to me and perhaps the most special is all the fabulous people I have met along the way! Very many happy memories and I daresay more to come! Have a good week!

It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to discern what is real and what is not. Who speaks the truth or who does not, or whether decisions are made only for personal gain.

I am of course talking about my ‘mild’ obsession with social media and how over the past week, we have seen unbelievable nastiness, alongside an unwillingness to co-operate and the usual carping from politicians on all sides.

Henry James wrote “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind: the second is to be kind: and the third is to be kind.”

Some could do well to remember this! Perhaps, I am naive but there is no place in this world for unkindness. Truth should always be what we are about, and this is sadly lacking in many.

Tomorrow, I am leading a singing day on Karl Jenkins, The Peacemakers and working through this remarkable piece recently has made me reflect upon the world we live in. The work extols peace and Jenkins writes “One line from Rumi, the 13th-century Persian mystic poet sums up the ethos of the piece: ‘All religions, all singing one song: Peace be with you’.”

If only peace were possible, but there are too many agendas to be set and too many ideologies to be won, but this is not the end result. The end result is that mistakes are made and humankind loses out.

Yet, I can still find positivity in music and tomorrow will be all about the music and all about those people who share the same goal; those who remain untainted by the media and politics; and those who choose friendship through music. Let us shout loud and proud in our creativity!

STEVEN ROBERTS SINGING DAY – Saturday 23^rd September 2023

A Third Singing Day – directed by Steven Roberts and accompanied by Catherine Hall-Smith

Following the success of the 2021 and 2022 singings day we have raised an incredible £4039 to support Fairfield School’s Fundraising activities! We are back, by popular demand to sing together again.

Music will include Stopford – The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Mealor – Wherever you, Arnesen – Even When He is Silent, Rutter – For the Beauty of the Earth, and a couple of surprise pieces!

FEE including music £25 – SCORES WILL BE PROVIDED

LOCATION – Fairfield School, White Lee Road, Batley WF17 8AS (10 minutes from Junction 27 of the M62 – parking is available at the school and on road.

PLEASE EMAIL srsingingday@gmail.com if you would like to attend!

For more information about FAIRFIELD SCHOOL here is the link https://www.fairfieldschool.uk/home

Fairfield school is currently raising money to purchase a piece of equipment called a ‘Drive Deck’ for the benefit of the pupils at Fairfield School. The Drive Deck is a fun teaching vehicle that will enable pupils to have the independence to explore their environment.

For more info visit https://www.smilesmart-tech.com/product/drivedeck/

Full details can be found at https://fairfieldschool.uk/fundraising

I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO COME AND SUPPORT ME AND THE SCHOOL ONE MORE TIME!

Steven

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!

I was adjudicating at a Festival recently and someone had commented that they had done some research on me!!! They then surprisingly said that they had enjoyed reading my blogs and had found out a lot about me! So, I resolved to start again! I am really going to try and blog each week, but for now it’s time for a bit of a catch up. My last blog commented on the death of Her Majesty The Queen and in my diary for 19th September I simply wrote HMTQ funeral – thinking that like most people I would be watching it on TV. I had, like so many others watched the wonderful coverage offered by the BBC and had marvelled at The Queens final journey back to London and the detail and speed at which the succession had happened.

Having held a second singing day raising funds for Fairfield School on Saturday 17th September, I returned home that night to the letter I had been expecting all week. To say I was relieved was an understatement. If you haven’t guessed already, it was both confirmation of my attendance and ticket to attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey on the Monday.

I was to represent The British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech of which I was the Chair and for which The Queen had been Royal Patron for more years than she had been on the throne. It was as you might imagine an opportunity to be a small part of history. In due course I will blog about the day itself! But suffice it to say I was honoured to pay my respects and that of the Federation to our Patron who had given unswerving service to the people.

An experience shortly afterwards reminded me that words can hurt and thought should always be given to the impact of comments made in the heat of the moment!

In both October and November I had led singing workshops with Junior voices in both Carlisle and Skipton and it reminded me of the power of singing and that musical memories made with young people last forever!

Likewise, the same with adults; having travelled to the Isle of Man to lead a singing day on Jenkins – The Armed Man. An ever poignant piece of music, written in the hope that conflict and war could be resolved peacefully in the millennium. Conducting this work against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine was an emotional experience for us all.

Travelling back, had its problems – cancelled plane, train and replacement bus resulted in a taxi ride which meant I met James Arthur’s brother! A chance meeting I hadn’t expected.

Having undertaken quite a few Festivals during the Autumn term it has been heartening to see performers coming back and in good numbers. The value of amateur festivals is not in question as music and performing arts subjects in some schools are being downgraded! Our festivals have never been more relevant.

As Christmas approached, it saw the usual run of concerts and the return of touring WASTELAND with the Gary Clarke Company in the Spring. But before that Christmas and New Year in the sun! Update 2 to follow soon…..

I was back with all 3 of my choirs this week and it was good to be making music. When you do a job you love, each day is a gift and music is life-affirming and good for the soul. It has been nice to see all my singers again and to begin to work toward our next concerts. Not being fully back at work yet means I can still relax a little during the day and reflect. Preparing for what is going to be a busy year when it all starts.

Like most people I am still taking in the events of yesterday. A Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother passed away peacefully at home and to those who remain it will take some time to process. For us, we do that privately and in our own way, but when that lady is Her Majesty The Queen, there is no such luxury.

The country will quite rightly mourn her death but will celebrate her legacy. Serving her people with dignity, humility and honesty for over 70 years.

We saw her skilfully plan and prepare the way forward and indeed the transition has been seamless. I felt the words of our new Monarch, King Charles III were carefully chosen and delivered with sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

So, time to reflect and adapt and in the words of Paddington ‘Thank you Ma’am, for everything.’

Many things change and you just have to get used to them all! It has been a relaxing Summer and I am about to get back to all things musical! It’s a steady start as not everything gets back into full swing until the third week of September for me and then it’s full on! But those who know me, know I like to be busy. I have been quite active on Twitter for those who follow; but thought it time to revisit the blog! I have some really lovely projects coming up and I am excited about some of the new challenges!

As usual, my take on the ‘news’ is sanguine at best, but I now find that I am increasingly pessimistic about many things. Politics, world leaders and global tragedies. We have them all! I tend to look on in disbelief and amazement at the apparent incompetence of some who call themselves leaders! In my work I will always consider my words carefully and how they might be interpreted by others. This seems to be a consideration that is lacking in many, certainly in politics there seems to be a lack of understanding, or a lack of research undertaken by those who advise.

But enough moaning! I am so lucky to be involved in the performing and creative arts business. It is life-affirming and has some of the most wonderful people associated with it. So, for those who take the odd look at my ramblings, I am back and will endeavour to entertain as well as comment! Have a great weekend!

After two years of almost no live work, it is wonderful to be back and 2022 has not disappointed. There was a little blip where cases soared and it had a bit of a negative impact on choir numbers and concerts, but overwhelmingly the audiences have been so supportive. Some have even commented that being back in the audience seats has been like a reunion!

The work has meant that I haven’t been as active on my blog as I would have liked, but sometimes you know when it is time to take a break. So many of you have said how much they had enjoyed reading them during the lockdown period and for that I am truly grateful. My words may not mean much, but they helped to keep me focused and occupied.

Music and people are never far from my creative efforts and in all areas of my working life, I have been blessed by being with, working with and being surrounded by wonderfully supportive people – all of whom enrich my life on a daily basis.

However, there are days when I feel sad at the world in which we currently live. There are some world leaders who seem to say the first thing that comes into their head; brushing aside policy or playing to the audience or simply ignoring those who advise.

For me it is simple – it is about trust and that seemingly old fashioned word integrity! I have always felt that the tone of an organisation, whatever the business relies so much on its leader and it rises or falls as a result of their approach.

I can count on one hand the number of conversations I have had or actions I have taken that I have regretted and wished that they had happened differently. But, I have reflected on them and still do to this day. In the grand scheme of things they are probably not that big a deal, but nevertheless I think about them still.

I can’t help thinking about how much our politicians at home and elsewhere reflect on their decision making or their comments and the impact they have on everyone. Perhaps, I am too simplistic in my thinking? Perhaps I don’t have the weight of running a country on my shoulders. But I have responsibilities and I take them seriously.

The political machinations that we see and hear about on a daily basis are more akin to a machiavellian plot than real life.

As many settle into a well earned half-term break, I am going to enjoy some downtime, catch up on a bit of TV, maybe read a little and enjoy my choir rehearsals without the pressure of a usually busy week. I may even set myself a goal of blogging a bit more too.

There is a little quote which pops up in my calendar every year which I like and for me resonates with the world of ‘conflict’ in which we find ourselves. We shouldn’t be burning bridges, we should be finding ways to resolve our differences and making the world better for everyone!

“Never cut what you can untie” (John Joubert (1754-1824).