Music

Dressmaker, baker, gardener? Yes, but we had better talk about music first.

They fit together, the writing and the music. Some of my poems have a sung chorus. Some turned themselves into songs. I am working on writing “background” music for readings … so many exciting things to do! I did have a proper job in music after forsaking the Civil Service. With the encouragement of my good friend Maggie O’Connor, I traipsed off to Kinnersley Castle in Herfordshire for a life-changing Natural Voice Network training course with Frankie Armstrong. Almost as soon as I returned I started working for Independent Arts on the Isle of Wight presenting Singing for the Brain which swiftly morphed into SingAbout, singing for wellbeing groups for anybody who was free in the afternoons. I have passed that baton on now but still run a group at the hospice every week. Then last November, when we were all coming back to life, I was invited to take over Maggie's old choir, Sounds Lively. A revitalising move and still going strong. Just drop me a line if you would like to join us.

The NVN’s mantra is our fundamental right to find and use our voices; for joy, for sorrow, for expressing our opinions and emotions, for beauty and for the sheer fun of it. I think some of that may have rubbed off in my writing.

Natural Voice Workshops

Have been part of my life; Harmonic Temple with Nickomo and Rasullah, learning about harmony in life and singing with the late Nick Prater, the joy and energy of Roxane Smith (she who can conduct an 800 strong choir with just a tuning fork in her hand). Both songs ‘Tom Hark’ and ‘Mungu Akipenda’ are from a workshop in 2017 with Chris Rowbury.

Sing For Water

One of the fabulous things that came out of being part of and occasional leader of Maggie O’Connor’s Natural Voice choir, Sound Lively, was learning the songs, getting on the boat and the train and going up to London to sing with choirs from all over the country in the Scoop next to County Hall on the South Bank. Part of the Thames Festival, “Sing for Water” was a joyous and practical way to raise awareness and money for Water Aid. Founded by Helen Chadwick in 2002, they are still going strong. Google them or look them up on Facebook! 800 people singing together .. hard to ignore and wonderful to be part of it. Local concerts have grown out of the original and normally there would be a concert in Portsmouth in September. Looking forward to news of Sing for Water events in 2022.

SingAbout & Singing For Wellbeing

The musical landscape of SingAbout creates an experience based round our memories and preferences, but also provides new challenges and delights; rounds, songs in unfamiliar languages, songs nobody has heard before, some of which are entirely new to the community as I made them up myself. I learned to play the ukulele as my own particular challenge and still play occasionally with Verity Bird’s Wight Ukers. Both SingAbout and my Singing for Wellbeing group at the Mountbatten Hospice have been platforms for new friendships, improved confidence and better health. Singing is really good for you! Look at the work of the Sidney de Haan Centre at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Words, Music and Dance!

Another venture at Ventnor Fringe. Words and music for a dance performance by Michelle Hainsworth's Samphire dance group. The image is the back of our publicity postcard. A clip from Knitting the Bones in the above album.