Good Karma

Too many blogs turn into rants (i’ve already fallen into that one!) and although I’m sure a few rants will turn up on this blog in the long run I would like to comment on some of the things that make the world go round.

There are some really nice people out there. I constantly aspire to be one. The sort of person that doesn’t just get in touch when there is something to acheive, they want something or when something is wrong - but instead the sort of person who takes the time to say hello just to be nice!

There are lost of these people about and this blog is to celebrate them. I’m not going to list all the lovely people I know (too many to mention). However there are a couple of notable ones that have stuck in my mind and made the last few weeks of constant trouble shooting worthwhile.

So - Katie Beswick - Nizlopi’s tour manager. Not only is she very professional (she always answers your calls and replies to your queries and does what she says she will) but she is also really nice! She will always make the time to thank you after you have worked together. She has even been known to send random emails when there is nothing to say but “keep up the good work”. There is nothing like opening up an email that puts a spring in your step…

David Nikel - hardly know the bloke but has gone out of his way to be supportive and his emails always say more than just what he has to say…. Nice!

Paul Fielding - a stockbroker at Brewin Dolphin and a new board member for Gigbeth (in fact all the board members are lovely) but not only has Paul got actively involved and got his firm to sponsor our conference bag - he also has a tendency to send random emails of kindness….

Pete Ashton - hardly know Pete properly either - but will do when I get my life back after Gigbeth. He seems to quietly but fairly keep a watchful eye on those of us who are mad enough to run creative events - and in doing that his enthusiasm is infectious…

Actually - you know what - rather than going on all night - I might just have to make this a regular good karma blog!

It’s rather nice to get your kicks from complimenting people - I recommend more of us try it!

The power of singing

I’ve had a tough day - people going back on promises - general high level stress from running a major music festival in 14 days time.

But is all back in perspective ‘cos I’ve done some singing tonight.

For those of you who don’t know - I conduct a choir called Notorious. I conducted choirs since I was 16 (a long time ago!) and now Notorious, the choir I started when I was 23, has been going 10 years.

It is a balancing act having two kids, full time job and MD of a choir - but I hang onto Notorious because it is truly good for me. On lots of levels…

Conducting Notorious and singing with Ex Cathedra (when I can - have not sung with them since Christmas - hope to go back next year) - these are the two things I do when I don’t think about work, I remember to breathe and I have a thoroughly good time!

The power is proved again by a few case studies from Notorious. There are half a dozen members of the choir left from when we first started (in fact we started with about 9 people so that is not bad going - there are about 35 members now). Those founding members have got married, had kids, got bigger more demanding jobs - and still Notorious is really important to them.

Another large group have been with us at least 5 years and come back time and time again. Many of those now have full on careers and demanding home lives etc but still they make time for our weekly rehearsals.

Why - because they feel the same way as me - there is no replacement for truly uplifting singing - the physical act and the bonding it engenders.

Speaking of bonding - did you know that Notorious can boast a role in four marriages?! Yup - Stu and Kat, Liz and Ian, Mike and Richard and most recently Jon and Rach have all tied the knot - they met in choir and their romances blossomed through our choir’s all important social life. We’ve sung at all those weddings and emotional it was (in my Yoda voice)!

So however ‘busy’ I get - I’ll never be too busy for singing. In our house we sing to go up the stairs, put toys away, sit on the potty (sorry) and almost everything.

Tonight I got the audience singing an African song and it was magic to see their frightened faces (at the suggestion they had to sing) turn to joy as they realised that a good sing is good for the soul….

So sing in the shower, sing in the car (even when everyone is looking at you) and parp it out like your life depends on it - and watch your insides smile…

fa la la la la…..

Is busy better?

Everyone says that they are busy - it is the thing to be…. or is it?

My best friend saw how frazzled I’m getting as the prep for Gigbeth hots up and took me away (as a bday pressie) to a spa - Sunday through to Monday lunchtime.

However - all the good work was undone the minute I got home to 200 emails and several phone messages from people who ‘need’ to communicate with me NOW!

So I got back and worked ’till 1am to get things sorted - and today I have worked for 11 hours before conducting my choir and coming back home to a bit more work.

So - what is the point of time off? I am sorely tempted to take January off (my contract at the LSC ends on 31st December) but every time I say that my heart is filled with fear that perhaps I am going to miss out on something.

But as a mum - maybe missing my kids is more of a concern?

However - all this is a pointless whinge as I love my work too much and therefore take too much on. It is all my fault - and if I wanted a quiet life - I could after all - have one!

I’m also rubbish at asking for help - as we are supposed to cope aren’t we? it is the same if it is asking my Mum and Dad to babysit or asking my staff to work out of hours…. So I take on the pressure - and it is all my fault…

Yep - I’m a sucker - but they do say “If you want something done - ask a busy person”. So perhaps that explains the three people in my inbox today (all who know how close Gigbeth is) who are asking for a coffee and catch up for me to give them advice (before Gigbeth). Maybe I should give myself some advice and say no?

On the flip side - when the chips are down I am always touched by how much people will do to help if you just ask. Thanks to all the lovely people on the Gigbeth board - who have been so encouraging tonight…

Is blogging supposed to be ranting? Probably not - so sorry. I promise the next one will be more productive!! I have a lovely choir event on tomorrow - so I’m sure I’ll come back from that inspired!

My 2008 resolution will be to do less (tee hee).

Blogging

I’ve been inspired to blog since Thursday this week when I attended the Guillemots/CBSO gig at the Town Hall.

It was probably a combination of my love of The Guillemots, the fact that my first proper job was with the CBSO, and the years of not being able to go in to our beloved Town Hall.

So Thursday night was an emotional experience. One of those events when you remember why you got into the arts - and one I know I will remember for a long time.

Fyfe is clearly a very talented man. His piece with the CBSO had a ton of ideas in and he had some fun with the textures and possibilities of the CBSO. It pushed the players to the full - and even the conductor broke his baton with the vigour of it all!

The second half though was the highlight - Guillemots tracks played by the band with full CBSO backing. Amazing. I always prefer it when artists play their tracks differently live - and the versions on Thursday were great - with the big excitement coming at the end when Fyfe ran off stage and appeared in the choir stalls to play the organ!

It was very emotional - and moved me to start blogging.

I also think it is about time some more female bloggers arrived on the block. Not sure how good I’ll be at keeping it updated - with Gigbeth round the corner. But maybe that will be a good source of high points (and low points) to share with whoever might visit!