​Music Gives a Soul to the Universe

As per usual for mid-July, I'm now in the middle of selecting Christmas music for all my choirs! Due to the nature of most of them, we don't have a completely new programme of music each term or year, but rather introduce a selection of new pieces to add or replace older ones. As they are all community choirs of sorts, and many members don't read music, this means that there is enough time to learn the new pieces well, without huge pressure to learn two hours worth of new music – something that just could not happen successfully with the choirs I direct. New for this year, the music I have chosen or been recommended by choir members includes: Adiemus by Karl Jenkins – a tribal-sounding and impressive choral piece that is actually fairly simple  A New Year Carol by Britten – a sweet, simple carol Carol of the Bells arr. Steve Kupfersch – a popular favourite that is fun to sing Christmastime  – a new piece by me Something told the wild geese arr. Sherri Porterf

...in a land far, far away... there lived a weird girl. Well, weird by apparently almost anyone's standards. Enjoying life was 'bad'. Being happy was 'bad'. Trying to help people was mostly 'bad'. Basically, being who I was – who I am – was met with severe disapproval by many of my peers. I was too happy. I was too loud. I was too nice, too boring, too community-focused, too religious, etc etc. This is what school does to you. Or, at least, to fragile minds like mine. I am very glad to say that nowadays, generally speaking, I feel free to say and do what I think is best. I have a job (well, technically, several) that is all about enriching other people's lives, and it enriches mine, too. I am a choir director, singing/piano teacher, organist (ish), performer and composer, and I am extremely grateful that I've got this far. I'm 31. It's not been easy, and I don't feel for one moment like I've 'made it', but I do fe