First Post. Where to begin? Let's start at the very beginning.
Way back in February/March I was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, which will enable me to visit the States & Canada under the heading 'Singing to a new community'. In truth this is slightly misleading... It should read 'Singing, playing, conducting, administrating to a new community' but this lacked a certain, something.A couple of years ago I was working with a wonderful youth choir from the States, who were performing with a choir I conduct here in the UK. I was struck by both their excellent performance and the very strong community that existed within the membership, a community of people from varied backgrounds, races & creeds. Here was something different. I've been privileged to work with some wonderful choirs in the UK; community choirs which truly represent their community, and choirs performing at the very highest national standards but largely made up of white middle-class singers. I could not think of many UK amateur choirs, or indeed orchestras, bands etc etc that perform at the highest national standards and truly represent the community at large. Therefore, what is it that this US choir did to achieve both things; representative community & excellence? [If anyone knows of a UK classical ensemble which does both things, please get in touch!]
And so, off to the States & Canada I go.
My aim is to find out what they do, what's different, what we in the UK can learn, and crucially, to use this experience to improve the work I carry out, & hopefully make a difference to the musical communities I work with.
The trust, www.wcmt.org.uk quotes Winston Churchill;
"With opportunity come responsibility".
With 50 days to go I'm becoming more and more aware of what a fantastic opportunity I have been given, and of my responsibility to ensure this experience is one which will make a difference to the music making I (and hopefully others) lead.
