‘Old Havvy’

Wonderful writing Lauren Bensted, incredibly moving story.

It’s giving this

I've been thinking about this all week. Of the country's instrumental music teachers, only 25% now work in state schools (54% in private). Even though 94% of kids are state educated. A generation of young people are being denied access to music-making.
thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sc…

I was lucky enough to be at Welsh National Opera’s Death in Venice tonight, it was fabulous, but mostly I was moved by the sensitivity and virtuosity of the orchestra, under threat of a 15% pay cut-7 weeks less work a year. Please do sign this to support them.
megaphone.org.uk/petitions/prot…

Tonight’s listening: The Marriage of Figaro in Berlin (coming to an Edinburgh Festival near you this summer)

Darren Henley, chief exec of Arts Council England is coming on @bbcfrontrow on Monday to talk about Let's Create. If you run an arts organisation with experience of this ACE funding/applications, wd love to hear from you. Email [email protected] bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00…

because of an ongoing writing project, i am taking piano lessons (somewhat remotely) with Helène de Montgeroult (1764-1836) whose études are preceded by the most wonderful piano-playing advice and fascinating insight into the early days of modern piano virtuosity

Actually cried with laughter on the train this afternoon watching Nick Mohammed in the Taskmaster ties task (iykyk). Pure gold.

*taps mic*

Dear ADHD family,

Send that email you've been avoiding. The one that will only take two mins but makes your stomach hurt.

I've just done mine. You can do yours and then, we've basically won Friday.

xxx

Please can I ask everyone to sign/share/retweet the h*ll out of this petition asking our politicians to #SaveWNO before it’s too late. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

megaphone.org.uk/petitions/prot…

Lesley Griffiths Lucy Frazer Thangam Debbonaire Musicians' Union Equity Freelancers Make Theatre Work

[Connolly is lost again.]

Reposting this as well worth reading: van-magazine.com/mag/sarah-conn…

Great work Hugh Morris

Tonight’s listening Royal Liverpool Philharmonic 🎵

A gentle Thursday afternoon read: Sarah Connolly discussing the merits of different forms of capital punishment, and why she's heading up an opera funded by a regime she previously described as “murdering autocrats stuck in a time warp.'

For VAN Magazine

van-magazine.com/mag/sarah-conn…

What, lovely article. What are you reading at the moment and how are you reading it (I am reading Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan on audiobook)?

The experts: librarians on 20 easy, enjoyable ways to read more brilliant books theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

Very rarely do I get to pull a “I wrote a book on this subject and you are very mistaken” card, but the moment has arrived.

Sir Andrew Davis — a critic’s tribute

thetimes.co.uk/article/89fb2b…

A bleak, bleak read about the publishing industry. Apparently 96% of titles sell less than 1,000 copies. You tryna tell me I’m in the top 4% of book sales globally? All of my books—three poetry collections!—sold more than that. elysian.press/p/no-one-buys-…

Amazing. The theatre critic David Benedict 🏳️‍🌈🕎 has made history: in EU law on false advertising!
thestage.co.uk/opinion/mislea…?

ME: I’m looking for funding for my prison-based creative writing workshops.

ARTS COUNCIL: OK. What is the name of this project?

ME: Prose and cons.

ARTS COUNCIL: Get out.