This time of year, I think we all begin to reflect on what we have achieved and look to what might come in the New Year. I haven’t really been one for making resolutions as I have never been able to keep to them. That’s not to say there is no value in making them, just that I am not particularly good with them! The time has gone surprisingly quickly, and we have all had to experience a vastly different way of living. Yet, we have adapted and, in some cases, taken advantage of the opportunities that have either been presented to us or that we have created for ourselves. But there has been loss and sadness in many families, and it must be difficult for those people to see any good in the past few months. But, as Andrew Lloyd Webber said on The Andrew Marr Show, he is an optimist and so am I. The journey toward live events may be slow in 2021, but we need to prepare and plan for that eventuality because it will come, and we will grab it mightily with both hands. I have a busy two weeks ahead and then my usual plan would have been to fly off to Spain for the New Year. But I have got used to being in my house – but haven’t we all – and I am simply going to put my feet up relax. But I shall be raring to go next year! I think we can all see a little glimmer of hope and the next few weeks will hopefully be a turning point. During the Summer months we all regained our love of nature and went walking and saw what we had around us. Since being back teaching I haven’t done that, but I do want to get out again over the Festive period, wrap up warm and go walking a little more and seeing the difference the Winter has brought. Yesterday was a day to simply enjoy two treasures in the film archive – who can fail to be moved at those heartfelt words ‘Daddy, My Daddy’ in the 1970 classic The Railway Children – it still makes me cry! And if that wasn’t enough, I followed that up with another classic from two years earlier – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! My favourite part, if you want to know is the moment they drive off Beachy Head and Chitty gets airborne! So many have said that they have got to know me better over the past few months, well I will keep revealing these little secrets, won’t I?

“Walking through a deserted city in the hours before dawn is sobering way beyond the undoing of the effects of alcohol. Every thing is familiar, and everything is strange. It’s as if you are the only survivor of some mysterious calamity which has emptied the place of its population, and yet you know that behind the shuttered and curtained windows people lie sleeping in their tens of thousands, and all their joys and disasters lie sleeping too. It makes you think of your own life, usually suspended at that hour, and how you are passing through it as if in a dream. Reality seems very unreal.”
― James Robertson, The Testament of Gideon Mack

…and I did indeed feel that things were unreal as I walked through the normally bustling City of Leeds yesterday. It wasn’t entirely deserted but I was struck by the openness of the spaces that are usually filled with people. The architecture seemed bolder; the buildings more imposing and as a strange mysterious mist hung in the sky, reminiscent of the foggy London streets of a Sherlock Holmes story, the City was mostly silent…..ready for its reawakening.

It’s strange to be having conversations about the anniversary of when we stopped rehearsing and I don’t think anyone could have imagined that we would be looking at 12 months, but for some that is going to be a reality. However, we have achieved such a lot. We have connected more than we have ever done, not only with family and friends, but with many of the leisure groups we would normally attend. We have become more than just faces on screen and we have ‘mastered’ this new method of connecting. No longer nervous about online etiquette and panicking when everything freezes – we just get on with it! Some of us even get dressed to zoom! Well the top half anyway!

But we shall all be happiest when the streets are full of people and we can go about our business without worrying about whether we have remembered our face coverings. We shall rejoice when going into a shop doesn’t feel like a rare occasion or even a luxury. It will be nice to suggest we meet up with friends for a coffee and a not so socially distanced chat. When we can shake hands and hug as we once did.

Until then we can still look up and the stars are there as they have always been, shining down upon us.

…in my own little chair! Well, that’s where I have spent the last 7 days and have just 3 more to go! I enjoy being at home, but it is the little things you miss. I don’t always want to go out but knowing that you can’t makes it harder. I have received many messages of support and I want to thank everyone for them. Usually, I would reply to every message I receive, but tiredness has prevented me from doing so. So, on this occasion I hope you will forgive me. In many ways the time has gone quickly, in other ways it has dragged. I have done very little over the past week, but yesterday found myself looking at my diary and thinking ahead. I suppose the news of a vaccine has lifted everyone’s spirits, but even thinking about the possibility of live music again fills me with so much joy. Yet, time at home makes you value everything around you just that little bit more. All the things you take for granted come sharply in to focus and I know that whatever the future holds those who are important to me will remain so. I have not lost my appetite for social media and have kept up to date with what is happening around the world. For most of my life I have been in leadership roles, admittedly not running a country, but one thing that has always been at the forefront of any decision I have made is that it should be the right one! That doesn’t always mean it has to be the popular decision, but taking all things into account and weighing up all sides of every argument, you have to feel comfortable with the decision you have made and stand by it. It sounds simple doesn’t it! Am I going to skirt around the issues I am referring to, probably, as there are always two sides to a story, but I have always been guided by perception and the preservation of the wider community. There will always be those who criticise and offer alternatives, but when you are the one making the decision, the only person you have to live with is yourself!

A week away from online activities has made me realise just how important keeping in touch with each other has been, especially to those who live alone, or who have tried to maintain a little sense of normality over the past few months. I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like for those who have had little or no income since March and for those who are unable to see anything into the future. In my line of work so much has been lost by so many. Yet, there are some of us who have been fortunate. What a difference just a few months can make to someone’s life. To all of those struggling in the arts and to those businesses that have suffered it must be so difficult to see an end to everything. But there will be an end and we will pick ourselves up and we will find a way back.

Of course, TV has kept me going this last week – ‘Strictly’ continues to entertain and although not everyone’s cup of tea ‘I’m a Celebrity’ has kept me amused. The final of ‘Bake Off’ looms this week and I do have my favourite! This morning, being up early for a supermarket delivery…and I was quite excited at the prospect I watched Opera North’s live stream of Kurt Weill’s ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ directed and choreographed by my friend Gary Clarke. It was available for a limited time only, but what a triumph. Look out for a live performance in 2021!

In closing, I want to pay tribute to my wonderful Grandmother, who left us 14 years ago today. As time passes, we all become closer and miss the little things. Her encouragement and love for her family was without question. She wasn’t always able to show it, but she was a tower of strength and proud beyond belief of her family. Being born in 1916 meant she was of a different generation, but we all become our parents and grandparents eventually and the values we are taught as a child are never very far away!

In a week that has been dominated by the US presidential election (which seemed to take for ever, there really was only so much coverage that a sane person could watch). But the result is out, and whilst I acknowledge there are always two sides there seems to be an unbelievably strong sense of relief, certainly on social media. I expect the coming days may be difficult, but for now there seems to be a real hope that come January 20th there will be a steadier, less unpredictable hand on the wheel in the USA. Whilst at home the second Lockdown has begun and of course there are underlying concerns and disagreements, but I am sure that whatever your political standpoint is, everyone is hoping it will work. There are difficulties in every one’s life – be it work, home, family related – there are legitimate struggles that we all have to deal with. Yet, there are those who seem intent on taking an alternative pathway. This situation is difficult enough and difficult decisions have to be made but let us work together not against each other. This may seem like generalising, but it is out there. So, for those who think they know best…..spare a thought for those who have had to make those decisions. They have been made following long and hard consideration of the consequences, looking at all the relevant guidance and consulting with the relevant bodies.

I am truly fortunate that at least half of my work has restarted, but like many others in the creative arts, my face to face activities remain on-line. It is not ideal, but it is at least keeping us all together.

I have personally been able to connect with many more people in my work-related activities and continue to try and understand the difficulties and continue to try and support those most in need and I will continue to do so until we find a way through.

Looking back at messages I have sent to friends since March, the ever-moving deadline has kept being pushed back. It will be ok by Easter, the Summer, September, like others I have said those things in the hope that it would be true…now, it’s 2021!

But, in a week where the possibility of being tested positive came closer, we all have to stay calm. No-one wants any more disruption in their lives! So, what have my good moments been this week? Really positive and fun rehearsals with all of my choirs; a wonderfully supportive and focused Trustees meeting and then there was Strictly – yet again Caroline Quentin filled me with joy, but so did Bill Bailey and Ranvir Singh.

In a week where we experienced fireworks of more than one kind, we also had the poignant opportunity to remember. A moment where we all stopped and reflected upon the sacrifice that many made before us, but I am sure that many also thought about those that have been lost due to the pandemic – 2020 will be remembered for a very long time. My enduring image of the week was HM The Queen standing at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior – still and in deep thought and dignified beyond belief!

It would be very easy for us to be a little down today at the prospect of what the next month will bring. But the lockdown is happening, and I don’t think it helps any of us by worrying about it. I shall not be watching the TV and certainly not be following a blow by blow account of who is right and who is wrong. We all have our moments of being down, but we must fight against these. Speak out, ask for help, only fill your life with positive things. Easier said than done, but we must try!

So, what did I do this weekend? I carved pumpkins – and yes you read that correctly – pumpkins – plural! I watched ‘Strictly’ – and who can not fail to be inspired by the sheer joy of Caroline Quentin.

I watched ‘Bake Off – An Extra Slice’ and I’m with the girl who used the box – thank heavens for Betty Crocker.

To top it all I watched Graham Norton and was inspired by the journalist Frank Gardner whose story will be told this Thursday at 9.00 pm on BBC2. Don’t miss his inspirational journey.

The sun is shining in West Yorkshire today and I am preparing for my week ahead. Being back teaching my students is such a blessing and knowing that I can still do that is a big positive for me. I must publicly praise my choirs for being so resilient during these past few months. My committees, and I have three have simply been outstanding and their support for me, each other and the wider choir community has been exemplary.

So, for the next few weeks we shall remain on-line and we shall continue to laugh and connect and we shall still be supportive of each other and we shall stay strong as a community and we will be there for each other. Let’s hope that everyone can be the same.

One thing that is certain in my mind, is that we have all had to change or at least adapt. For some that has been easy, but for others not so! We are all different and we all cope in different ways, but quite often we don’t see the struggles that people are having and it is the unseen, unspoken consequences that sometimes go unnoticed. So much of the current situation is played out on social media, which in one way brings it so much more quickly to the public eye and I have certainly witnessed the positive benefits of this medium of communication. But what about those, for whom social media is not an option? Perhaps, their ignorance is a blessing! Many of us have become ‘specialists’ on the subject or rather ‘very interested’ parties who have followed guidance because we have a duty to support others. But the constant change in position that we have witnessed from politicians and commentators over the past few months at times has been exasperating. Of course, there are those who know best, those who should know best and those who think they know best. But when they all have a platform, confusion reigns. I still, on a daily basis hear people say ‘I am not sure’, ‘I don’t know’, ‘it’s all so confusing’, and one statement that even I have used ‘I’m fed up with it now!’. But as I say in my opening sentence, we have all had to adapt and we will need to continue to do so.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have watched two films that made me sit up and take note! The first was to revisit the 1982, Attenborough produced and directed ‘Ghandi’, the multi- Oscar winning film. What shocked me most was the manner of his death. I had forgotten that aged 78 he was assassinated and for a moment I sat in shock. How could this happen after a life of peaceful activism? It did make me reflect on some of the angry scenes we have witnessed on our screens recently.

The second film was the much more recent ‘Hidden Figures’ (2016) loosely based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, about African American female mathematicians working at NASA in the 1960’s. Shetterly commented “For better or for worse, there is history, there is the book and then there’s the movie”. But the story has been told and it is a powerful one!

History is a powerful tool to remind us of the mistakes we have made and how we have adapted or in some ways changed to improve a situation. I am sure we will look back on the current situation and for decades to come ponder on the mistakes made and the decisions taken!

On a lighter note, I have bought Pumpkins, and yes I shall be carving, so if you are on social media and we are connected – watch out!

And finally, I finished reading this weekend Philip Gwynne Jones book ‘Venetian Gothic’. It is no surprise to know the author lives in Venice as his description of the city and its many features are first class. I have mentioned him before, but he is certainly an author worth checking out!

And very finally ‘Strictly’ is back!

So, a rather enigmatic title for today’s blog! From the very first week of lockdown in March I decided that it was important to connect with my choirs and on a weekly basis. Whether it be Monday, Tuesday or Thursday (our normal rehearsal nights) it was important that I continued to have ‘choir’ time and so ‘The Corona Chronicles’ were born. Each week for the last 30 weeks I have written to each of my choirs in Altrincham, Honley and Chesterfield. It hasn’t always been musical, although I have included a musical YouTube clip to listen too. But more about what I have been up to and what has made me smile during the week, or perhaps what has annoyed me.

I included tales of my newly purchased bike and my inaugural bike rides, my attempts at baking, what I had watched on TV and of course my commentary on the media and Government.

Whatever the subject matter it felt right to communicate with my singers every week as I would be doing in rehearsal. But what I hadn’t expected is just how much this helped me. After suddenly being told you were not allowed out of the house and all work effectively stopped. I needed to find a routine and this was it. I know, also for many of our singers the weekly lifeline has been important too. But, as I am now back teaching on a regular basis I needed to ensure that I didn’t take on too much, so the weekly Chronicles have now stopped! I am sure there are those out there who are breathing a sigh of relief….but you can’t escape that easily. I will now be writing a weekly blog! This has taken several forms since 2014, but for the time being it will be my way of continuing to communicate with my choirs.

It might be that the subjects covered range more widely as it also has a public presence too, but lets see where it takes us. Writing didn’t always come easy to me as a child as I spent almost a year away from formal schooling due to asthma, but the support that I received in a special class on a Friday afternoon gave me tremendous confidence and built my vocabulary immensely. It also meant I missed PE, but there again I was very good, so I didn’t mind. I have always believed that one method of education, of teaching and learning doesn’t suit everyone and I think that this resonates from the 1 to 1 support I received at Junior school which helped me overcome my lack of skill with words and reading! It certainly doesn’t hold me back now.

As the country reels from yet more restrictions and at times can’t see a way forward, it is important that we do not let this period define us. We must not live in fear! By all means, be safe, be considerate, be careful. But it is important we don’t lose our humanity.

What has been so refreshing over the past seven months is how much I have spoken to people, how much I have got to know them and how much we have been understanding of the situation we all face. I hope that we will continue to come together and that those who have differences will put them aside and move forward ‘singing the same song’.

Today’s blog title is from Dorothy Thompson, an American journalist and broadcaster, who in 1939 was recognised by Time magazine as being in equal influence to Eleanor Roosevelt.

Influence is an interesting topic. I was recently contacted by a company suggesting that after reading my blog I was an ‘influencer’. I found the concept interesting, although I didn’t entirely agree with their assessment. I write not to influence, but to share my thoughts and feelings. Perhaps you think these should be private, but in sharing it helps me, so in many ways it is a selfish activity. I have to admit that having restarted the blogging the reach has extended and the statistics tell me my blog is read in 18 countries! Who would have thought that!

The last few weeks have been difficult as the realisation that the current situation of home-working will continue for sometime yet. Although there have been opportunities and I am grateful to have connected so much better with the individuals in my choirs…..and yes even more than I would in weekly rehearsal. We have also connected in different ways too and this has brought a greater sense of belonging.

Of course the one thing we want to do is sing together again, to hear the harmonies, to hear real voices again. This can only resume when it is safe to do so and the research and guidance tells us that. But we have started to talk about a ‘new’ way of rehearsing and this is positive. I have seen conflicting sides emerge, especially in social media posts, but I believe passionately that we must not be polarised in our opinion. The choral world needs us to be united and to speak as one.

I was angry last week at witnessing seemingly irresponsible crowds celebrating in Leeds; my anger was because I wasn’t allowed to do what I wanted to do and yet some felt compelled to put their lives at risk. However, thankfully we have not seen the reported spikes as a result of protests, celebrations, trips to the beach; so maybe they were justified?

Professional musicians need to earn a living and that is why they are back performing, although with significant restrictions. I completely understand that! For those of us who have chosen to lead amateur musical groups, well it is a different story and we are still finding ways to be innovative on-line; and there are sadly some who have no means of earning a living at all. The answer is not an easy one and I know that, but it doesn’t make it any less painful.

I sound negative, but I am not, just frustrated and yet I have found so much positivity in the past 4 months and it will continue for sure. Hearing the wonderful orchestra of Opera North playing live together for the first time since lockdown must have been emotional for them! I am still to have that day, but it will come.

Today marks 100 days of working from home! It actually doesn’t seem that long, but what have I learned in those 100 days? I’m not necessarily feeling up-beat today, but the connection that I have been able to maintain over the last 3 plus months has been really positive. It has been wonderful to see singers engage with technology and get online to see each other; to hear each others tales of lockdown and perhaps for my choirs; to sing. It isn’t the same as being together and I know that there have been the odd moments where the online participants just wanted to hear another voice. However, we have managed to stay together and continue to support our communities. There has been considerable concern about how and when singing could resume, but there is a glimmer of hope thanks to the tremendous work of several organisations who have been able to speak to Government about the value of singing and choirs. Like many in my position I have had financial losses and it will take time to bounce back, but there has been tremendous support and understanding along the way. It has not been the same, sadly for many other freelance artists. I have been able to maintain a reasoned approach to most things, but like those who like a bit of social media, it hasn’t always been positive reading.

I really do understand that there are opposing views, but as the late MP Jo Cox commented in her maiden speech “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” This is so true, but it doesn’t always feel like it!

It has been really positive to talk, and to actually listen to what people have to say, to find time to find out how they are feeling! We had entered a fast-paced life and out of necessity we have all slowed down and it feels good. None of us really know what the next few weeks hold for us, but I want to hope for good things; for the outcomes to be positive ones and to grasp onto that word hope. Is it so wrong to want to hope for a safe return to a semblance of normality? To have no more loss as a result of this situation?

I am reminded of the final movement of The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins (Revelation 24.1) and I think it sums up my feelings very well!

“God shall wipe away all tears and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”

I am back at my desk and at my PC again, which is where I have spent most of my time during the last two months! I am so grateful for the internet as it has kept me connected to all the groups with which I am associated. Apart from those odd moments when the screen freezes and the connection slows, it has mostly been problem free. But I have noticed how tired I am getting. Having to concentrate and focus on the screen really does take its toll. But it is the lack of variety in that contact that I think is tiring. It doesn’t matter whether it is work or for social purposes, it is the same way of keeping in touch that we use. But, it will be like this for a little longer and I am not sure when the kinds of activities that usually fill my day will resume. But, I remain positive.

I have been writing to each of my choir groups on there usual rehearsal night and these have become known as my ‘Corona Chronicles’. I think people are enjoying them? I have to admit that when I began I thought it would be just for a few weeks….little did I know! But I enjoy doing it!

I have almost stopped watching media coverage of the pandemic, not because I am disinterested, but because I became obsessed with wanting to know what was happening, who thought what, who said what and I was becoming addicted to the news and how it was delivered. Now, I am more level-headed about it. I pick up what I need to know and ignore all that I don’t. I certainly have no desire to hear interviewers being rude, or adding that nuanced sentence that puts a different spin on the facts. Nor do I want to hear numerous comparisons that serve no purpose. So, for the time being I am keeping myself away from all but the basic facts.

It makes me smile at how so many people have become experts on subjects they know so little about; I don’t deny that we can all learn, but please let those who do know lead…and for clarity I am not just talking politics or science here! Being ‘at home’ has allowed me to reflect and observe and as I have said before most days I am in a very good place, however it is clear how fragile the mind can be

So, after a busy week on-line I am taking the weekend off. My diary is empty and I am going to relax. See you on Monday!