It has been an interesting first 9 days. Two of my choirs have successfully returned and the third will restart tomorrow. I suppose it is inevitable that we will find more members testing positive, but the reality of us being in a far better position than we were 12 months ago is tangible. We also know more as a choir and we will advise and guide our members accordingly. The one over-riding factor is that everyone wants to sing again and the sooner we can focus on the music, the better!

There have been a couple of things that have caught my eye this week! The first and perhaps most astonishing and yet unsurprising are the comments from the Chair of Ofqual that school music lessons be suspended and music teachers should be redeployed to help cover teacher absence of other subjects! Admittedly, he didn’t just single out music as a subject to be temporarily suspended, but the suggestion should not have been made in the first place. It is ill-judged and insulting, and someone in this high level position should know better!

I will keep my observations quite minimal on the other aspects that have caught my eye this week. However, it seems somewhat ironic that the four people who were accused of removing a statue in Bristol and cleared of criminal damage have been referred to as the ‘Colston’ 4!

In other news, anyone wishing to enter Australia should watch ‘Nothing to Declare’, the Border Security programme on Sky.com – some people really get a hard time!

…and finally, when asking for information, it is important to consider the baseline data and the parameters in which the request is made in order to achieve an accurate comparison to produce a useful analysis. I appreciate that the subtleties of information collection may have passed me by, but a request made earlier this week, tipped me over the edge! So, much so that I had to have a glass of water…no really I did!

Anyway let’s see how this week works out! I should point out that my comments are mine alone, but to be able to air them goes someway to keeping me sane! Thanks for all your support!

I have spent some of today looking at the restrictions for each of the devolved nations in preparation for a meeting I have next week. I have also been asked to advise on what is likely to be happening in the Spring! Well, I know it’s a big ask, but I am going to do my best. But I can’t help but wonder how Government are managing with all the advice they have at their fingertips (a somewhat cynical thought), when I have none of this? Yet, I will be making an informed decision to help and support the members I represent as Chair of The British and International Federation of Festivals and I will also be working with my choirs to ensure we can carry on and present our spring concerts! I will draw upon the expertise of those in my choirs who have helped me along the journey so far, as well as the professional bodies of which I am a member. I know it won’t be easy, especially looking at the ‘conspiracy theories’ on social media. Opinions range from – ‘we are all doomed’ to ‘life will be back to normal by the Spring’ and these comments from supposed specialists! But I suppose from their viewpoint black could be white or even grey!

But, enough of all of this! The title of my blog comes from the tagline for the new musical Bedknobs and Broomsticks. This was one of my favourite childhood films and is now touring the UK. If ever there was a time to start believing…it is now! We must all find hope….and if you haven’t seen the film A Boy Called Christmas – then you must! Once you have you will understand why I mention hope!

So, before the New Year, it is time to hop on that big bed, tap three times, make a quarter turn to the right and believe that 2022 will be better!

I have, along with my committees been able to guide my choirs through to this point. All concerts performed and all precautions followed. We have very few positive cases within our membership and we have been careful and trusted each other to do the right thing. Our Christmas concerts, in particular have been enjoyed by our very supportive audiences. I am so sorry that some choirs are now having to cancel. But in the face of uncertainty it is inevitable.

I have been determined to bring live music to our audiences and to allow my choirs to sing, not only for the joy of singing, but for good mental health and well-being. I have received so many messages of thanks from those who have found ‘choir’ a source of strength.

I can not possibly imagine how someone in Government balances the many strands of managing and leading a Country and indeed there must have been struggles. But, when those who lead are trusted, then forgiveness for mistakes can be given.

But in the light of so many revelations about supposed broken rules, it is not difficult to understand why we all feel uncertain about the future. Having listened to many reports and read so much about our current situation, either the evidence is not compelling or it is being ignored. I also realise that it is not that simple, but faced with so much uncertainty about what might happen, it is hardly surprising that many just want a clear and focused decision, rather than maybes!

Of course the Government reserves the right to change things as a result of the worst case scenario, but there is a palpable sense of being lost and without a clear steer at the moment.

I believe that most are not confused about what to do and are in fact being careful, but when livelihoods are at stake the path is still unclear. There is no doubt that the vaccination programme has been successful, yet we are experiencing very high levels of positive cases! But what I don’t understand is why wait, if the situation is as bleak as we are led to believe, act now, why wait just for the sake of it and then impose restrictions on 27th – how much damage will have been done between now and then?

My choirs are now on a natural circuit break and we want to be back singing in January. Soloists, orchestras, music and venues are all booked and we don’t want to be returning to zoom rehearsals again!

It always feel strange that when I hear so much supposed common sense from politicians on all sides, that we don’t have a cross party COVID taskforce – or is that too simple? Let alone a taskforce across all the devolved nations to allow a better and supported methodology! But, I know that would be impossible….too many egos!

However, I could ramble on at length about so much, at times my brain hurts and I can’t sleep because of everything that is going around in my head. Heaven knows how those in Government must cope?

My thoughts go out to all of those in the performing and creative arts who maybe losing money or worried about what the future holds. For many of us we can’t even begin to quantify the loss of work we haven’t been offered! None of us thought we would be in this position still and as we enter a New Year, we will drag all the positivity we can from within ourselves and believe that in 2022 we can eventually begin to put this behind us!

It’s been a tricky week with many questions about what should be done about the new variant! So, lots of reading, listening and checking has resulted in my recommendations being to remain doing the same as we have been been doing.

But, despite the significant support from my choir committees, it has felt as if I have been alone in having to consider all aspects. I had hoped that we would be able to focus a little more on the music, but sadly that is not the case. We have all had to respond and change how we operate as musicians and sadly it is not over yet. I have been fortunate to have concerts with each of my choirs and we are looking forward to our Carol concerts which will take place over the next two weeks.

What upsets me most of all is the political point scoring and posturing which happens on all sides. It is not helpful and it certainly doesn’t build support or trust. Neither does the ridiculous round of media questions that always seek to elicit the answers that they think we should hear!

We are all tired of it now!

But, in the middle of all of this a visit to Fairfield School this morning brought everything into sharp focus. A happy school, with wonderfully supportive staff for students, who in some cases have very challenging needs. But, everyone was full of smiles and happy to hear live music.

So, have I had a hard week? Yes! But, my spirits have been lifted and my focus remains positive.

If you wish to continue to support Fairfield school in their fundraising you can still purchase The Corona Writings, by emailing me at thecoronawritings@gmail.com where 80% of your donation goes to the school!

Have a happy weekend everyone!

Altrincham Choral Society returned to the concert platform last night after 700 days and it felt so good to be back. We sang with our hearts and the audience were so appreciative. All 3 choirs have now performed their first concerts back after similar periods away and all have shown tremendous resilience. The journey back has not been an easy one, especially having to focus on so much more than simply the music, but the joy of being in front of an audience again is simply wonderful.

Each choir should be very proud of their achievements and I know that every choir in the country has had similar challenges, but each and every choir, committee member and individual singer have all contributed. Not to mention the support of family and friends. On behalf of every single voice – thank you!

We can only hope now that we navigate the winter months successfully and that we can begin 2022 with an optimistic outlook and grab each and every musical opportunity that is presented and let us not forget that ‘We are the Music Makers!’

Yesterday saw the first concert since December 2019 with my Chesterfield Choir and Honley have had the opportunity to perform on two occasions already! Altrincham have to wait another two weeks.

The priority has been keeping rehearsals safe and ensuring we are all following the mitigations we have in place. Every choir has been exemplary in their approach and we have all worked hard to bring singing back to our members. But we have done it ourselves, there has been no guidance and no ‘how to get back to singing safely’ manual.

We have all put our own precautions in place and these have in many ways taken over as the priority. But, what struck me yesterday was that the choir sang with passion and commitment and the audience were seemingly grateful. It was a bigger audience than I had expected and indeed from some we received a standing ovation.

One message today conveyed the following sentiment “Beautiful, gentle and sweet. Respectfully powerful. Good medicine for all. Our hearts were lifted and our ears heard stunning music and voices”.

Doesn’t this just say it all? We have returned to music, but I doubt we shall be back to where we were in March 2020 until Spring next year!

But we have grown as a community and as singers, but perhaps most importantly we have learned how important music is in our lives and how grateful we are to have it back.

The joy of singing together and being with friends and creating new musical memories is still with me this morning after a very successful singing day on Saturday. Of course I have done them before, but there was something rather special about this event.

It was the first time that many had sung in 20 months, the first time that people had sung together following one of the most challenging periods of our time. Choirs were silenced in March 2020, but as the new term starts in schools and universities, so too do our choirs.

Having so many in the same room and singing together was at times quite emotional as well as joyful. Some had not seen each other for at least 5 years and it was like we had never been apart.

Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man has become a very special piece for many that sang together on Saturday and this occasion was no less so. It was of course 9/11 – twenty years on, but it also stirred memories of where many of us had performed this piece before and we were able to share those.

But, it was extra special to be able to raise money for Fairfield School; someone described it as giving them a warm feeling and of a place where you knew it made a difference to young peoples lives…and indeed it does!

Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the day, to all those who attended and helped to make a difference.

You can still contribute by making a donation (minimum £5) to receive a pdf email of ‘The Corona Writings’. Chronicles and blogs that cover 18 months without live singing and how my choirs remained connected. If you would like a copy, please email thecoronawritings@gmail.com

Thank You!

It’s back to school for many and it’s back to choir too! After 18 months of online rehearsals for many and for some no singing at all, the choir world is returning. Although precautions are still being taken and mitigations in place we are about to sing again.

However, I sense an underlying feeling of just wanting to be back to normal. Certainly for those who feel comfortable returning, they seem to want it back the way things were. What is important though is how we make it comfortable for everyone to return. Sadly, I know that some members in all choirs will have called it a day and hung up their choir voice, but we need to support our singers and show them that it is safe.

We have had no further research to help and the Government has other priorities, so we are left to fend for ourselves. Organisations like Making Music and the Association of British Choral Directors have been particularly helpful and have supported conductors and amateur musical groups throughout these past months of uncertainty.

But we need to push forward now and we need to sing again and we need to reclaim our choral tradition!

So, good luck to every choir returning this week and indeed to any musical group, and musician both amateur and professional – we will no longer be silent!

Choirs were ‘muted’ abruptly in March 2020 and at that point I knew I wanted to continue to communicate with all three of my choirs, almost as if I were still with them in rehearsal. So, for 30 weeks I wrote ‘The Corona Chronicles’ which became individual messages to each of my choirs, as well as musical links to listen to. After that, when I returned to teaching ‘The Corona Blogs’ were born and continued until July 2021, when there was a semblance of us being back together. Both the chronicles and blogs have been collated along with other messages and choir comments to form the collected ‘Corona Writings’.

These are available as a pdf manuscript by email. I had dabbled with publishing them in a book, but I wanted to raise money rather than spend it, hence the pdf.

The writings are a record, not only of my personal journey through the pandemic, but that of my choir members.

I am asking for a minimum donation of £5.00 – 80% of which will go toward fundraising at Fairfield School, Batley. The school caters for students with highly complex needs including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and those with multi-sensory impairments.

Please support the school and read about my own experience and how my choirs kept connected.

If you would like to purchase or donate to receive a copy email me at thecoronawritings@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you for your support.

Since March 2020 I have cancelled 190 live rehearsals and 26 concerts! I have lost count of the number of zoom sessions I have undertaken, but as of this week ACS has been online for 60 weeks and we will now enjoy a month off before returning on 6th September. CPC have been online for 61 weeks and will also take a break until 2nd September. We meet this week in greater numbers and yet uncertainty still hangs in the air for September, but I hope that when our committees review everything at the end of August we have good news.

Traditionally HMVC continue through the Summer and this year will be no exception, but after 66 weeks online we met as a full choir last week. Admittedly some were away on holiday or working, but it felt good to be back singing together. We shall continue to provide online rehearsals until it is no longer necessary, but nevertheless we have found a useful way to keep members connected even when they are away!

There have been so many ups and downs for us to consider over the past 16 months and there will still be more for us to think about for the remainder of the year. All three choirs have exemplary committees, and I cannot thank them enough for the support they have shown our members and to the music teams.

This situation has been overwhelming for many and every individual has had to find ways in which to cope. For some, new ways of working have been identified, for others it has required a total rethink and for some it has been a time to get jobs done, learn new skills and reflect on what is important.

I have written every week since 17th March 2020, and this has been just as important to me as I know it has been in connecting with our members and in particular those who have not been online. The ‘zoom’ experience certainly hasn’t been for everybody!

My writings have been a mixture of blogs, The Corona Chronicles and latterly The Corona Blogs. Each has provided a glimpse on what has been happening, not only in this country but throughout the world. I won’t say I am a great writer, but what I have done is told the truth and perhaps in a small way captured how we are all feeling. There have been weeks full of frustration, as you will all testify, but there have also been weeks of joy where I have enjoyed reading or watching a film or simply sitting and being still. It has been a privilege to share these moments with you and I would like to say a special thank you to all those who have sent me personal messages.

The hard work certainly hasn’t stopped, and I know that I will be watching the data during August; learn from my ongoing experience as I continue to rehearse with Honley and of course watch what is happening elsewhere.

I want to thank everyone single person who has engaged in my writing! Whether you have read it, liked it, shared it or commented, your support has meant such a lot.

It is time to draw a close now and for at least during August I will be silent! As I mentioned last week I am in the process of collating all the writings and as a record of our time over the past 16 months I will produce them as an e-book, (well actually in pdf format) and I will issue them all to those who would be prepared to purchase a copy, with donations going to Fairfield School, which caters for students with highly Complex Needs including those with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties and those with Multi-Sensory Impairments. I am proud to have volunteered in this school and have had the opportunity to witness first-hand the impact music can have when visiting with Honley MVC; which we hope to be able to do again soon.

After many years of conducting at ACS, CPC and HMVC, the pandemic has brought me closer to them all. We are a strong community and more so now than ever before; we have a love for a shared experience which we have missed so deeply. But we remain as one and we will be strong and we ‘will rise again’.

Thank you!