Orchestrating a social life

Date: 26 July 2010 19:22:39

This is a particularly attractive photo of me... circa about 1986/1987 (I think). I am posing with my clarinet wearing my Guernsey Music Centre tie. The fringe is dire don't you think? I was reminded of this picture (which my Dad kindly showed during his speech at my wedding!) when I was watching the TV programme on Channel 4 called Orchestra United. Basically a conductor is taking young people who play instruments, but who have no opportunity to play in an orchestra, and turning them into a concert orchestra. I loved watching it... loved seeing how the kids were passionate about their music, and also how much they started to learn through playing with each other. I love that they recognised that whilst some of the kids weren't musically brilliant, they had potential. Growing up in Guernsey we were extremely fortunate to have access to the most fantastic music service. Admittedly we worked really hard, from about 10am-3pm every Saturday, but I played in a Youth Orchestra, Concert Wind Band, Clarinet Choir and sang in the Guernsey Girls Choir and Guernsey Youth Choir. We had music and singing lessons, and aural and theory lessons were also included in the package. It was hard work and took up a lot of time, but when your best friends also play instruments and are in the same orchestras than it doesn't seem to matter so much. It was fun, we had inspiring teachers and we worked hard but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Music made such a difference, both to my social life but also to my confidence. Since moving to Leeds I have been on a 10-week choral singing course and have loved it. I am still contemplating whether I will have the time to commit to a choir at the moment, but I have realised how much I love being in a choir. Music has always mattered to me, but there is something particularly special about working hard at something with your friends and achieving something great. I am looking forward to seeing whether Orchestra United manage it.