curating …

I have been curating the Bach & Mortality Festival for Bedford Music Club which has been stimulating. Taking Bach as a starting point for exploring all aspects of music’s role in celebrating life and as part of the grieving process. We have commissioned other composers (Anna Semple and Sophie Viney) and dancers from the London Contemporary Dance School along with academics and performers.

composing…

I am currently reworking and archiving over 200 pieces.

The wonderful Graham Ross and the outstanding choir of Clare College Cambridge gave the premiere of Gracious Lord, an anthem I wrote for them. The material uses notes from Graham Ross's name and words that begin with the syllable 'gra' (gracious, great etc).

It was such a privilege to write for that choir so I could write pretty angular lines over a pleading drone ending with a stratospheric solo sop's prayer ascending. Huge thanks to them. You can hear it here from 28’29”

what they said:

it’s a lovely and deeply considered setting. Loved the way it had this almost desperate sense of prayer banging on the door, then banging again, and again, possibly without any anticipation of an answer. Sheer bloody minded determination not to give up. An important message beautifully realised

Lyon's Mouth

I lead a workshop for the wonderful Lyons Mouth vocal concert on the lullabies they were sung to whilst their mothers were carrying them, using ideas of Attachment and our pre-language music which will lead to a piece to be premiered in the autumn.

coaching …

Based on my twenty years of therapeutic coaching I am beginning to work with ensembles on the psychology of performing together.