Mahler 9 FTW

Had some fabulous Eyemouth fishing village conversations this morning, but this afternoon had yet another longstanding orchestral playing commitment, this time in Edinburgh.

I am SO lucky to be able to play the most stonking repertoire with some of the nicest, kindest and most skilled people in Scotland: because we’re all amateurs doing this completely nuts high level playing as volunteers in our spare time. Sitting number three in the violas for this gig (on 01 Sept) is a responsibility I take seriously. I had to miss the last gig due to ill health, so I was determined to get back into the viola ranks and pull my weight, even if it meant missing another afternoon door knocking for to get my vote out!

Music is, in reality, my top priority at this election. I want everyone to have the opportunity to play an instrument, to learn to read music or improvise, to develop their creativity and, as a result, develop life skills, a method of communication one’s feelings that doesn’t rely on language and spelling, and enhance all one’s brain functions that will continue to help one’s mind navigate life. Also, playing in groups, particularly in an orchestra, is more of a team contact sport than any team contact sport you could imagine. It is the most phenomenal discipline and, frankly, an adrenaline rush, achieving a sound and creating a piece of art in the air, collectively, that connects with an audience and takes them to places they never imagined. There is nothing like it on the planet. And everyone should have the chance to experience that. Especially children.

I hope all the party candidates around the country will join me in putting arts education, particularly music education, at the heart of their manifesto pledges, wherever they are in UK.