And finally, I am back in Brighton but the routine is still up in the air, since I am only here today and back to Winchester tomorrow. And on that note I should mention the song for the cathedral I referenced a couple of days ago was written along with Hannah Curtain, who runs our amazing Foundation Music at the University, which is a really brilliant programme - and one I wish I had had access to a a young man. Writing with someone else is a real boost (and a real kick up the backside) because you can't just dally around and you have to get on with it - and she certainly made me do that. I miss my band in that respect, the task of writing new material for new sets and new gigs and so I have been setting myself these targets for years now, slapping my own self on the back of the head to get on with deadlines etc - even if they are only ticking my own boxes. Indeed this blog has taught me that - I was just telling this to my Masters students last night. I committed to writing it and therefore must do so. You can't just say, oh it can wait until tomorrow, I have jotted down some ideas, I will do it later. And although having something to say before breakfast isn't the easiest thing sometimes, forcing yourself to just switch on and do it is a challenge I recommend. Alexander Pope in An Essay on Criticism (1711) wrote this below and I could end today with that - because having been in Winchester then Hendon (Middx) then Winchester over the past three days I have much to catch up on - I like good movie music but I can't make up my mind on this one - sans the movie - but it has the amazing Yo-Yo Ma (what a great name he has):
True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not Chance,
As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance,
'Tis not enough no Harshness gives Offence,
The Sound must seem an Eccho to the Sense.
As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance,
'Tis not enough no Harshness gives Offence,
The Sound must seem an Eccho to the Sense.
