In this strange period of ‘lockdown’ it is interesting to see how important music and the arts are now being viewed.
Teaching
I hope that all my students and their families are well and avoiding this dreadful coronavirus.
It is however a time when we can find real enjoyment and comfort in our music. So, please take time on a regular basis to sing through the repertoire that you may have relegated to the back of the memory. Returning to earlier repertoire can be a good marker of progress and reminder of specific aspects of technique and interpretation. Also, it is a time to explore unfamiliar repertoire, and YouTube is a great resource. Take either your favourite composer or favourite singer and see what songs/arias have been recorded. So, there is no need to get bored with the songs you were studying when lessons had to be suspended!
Keep doing the basic warm-up exercises with real purpose – be aware of POSTURE, BREATHING, TONAL FOCUS/PLACING, and ARTICULATION. And, work in front of a mirror!!
Keep safe and well, and I look forward to when we can meet and work together.
Conducting
Wishing all members and friends in the choirs and orchestras I conduct safety during this unprecedented time of being unable to make music together. It is a very difficult time for many of us who are freelance musicians with much of our income being ‘cut off’ due to cancellation of concerts and recitals. I am hoping that from September it will be possible for normal musical activity to resume.
Recitals
I accompanied a number of exciting singers in recitals during February and early March, but the restrictions have put several other recitals in jeopardy: it remains to be seen whether the May and June recitals will take place.
Adjudicating
Having adjudicated at the Mrs Sunderland Festival in Huddersfield, the other adjudicating engagements had to be cancelled.