unexpected commute

When I moved from London to Stroud almost 4 years ago I didn't expect that the majority of my trips to London would be for protesting - but then my awareness of the urgency of climate action 4 years ago was pretty much nil. It has been a bumpy year coming to terms with what is really happening and accessing the best way to use my energy to make any kind of difference. But I feel I'm getting closer. I wanted to share this photo with you because it captures a bit of a "eurica" moment for me; walking down Oxford Street singing 'So Far' from my Requiem with my choir, Stroud Fringe Choir, adding gravitas to an important stand against the status quo. I realised there is a use for 4 part choral music at these protests - filling empty gaps with held spaces of reflection (and maybe even a touch of optimism). I am now writing more - for this very purpose.

In other news, we've finally put a little film together of our new Mandel songs - please do have a look - I'm really proud of the music we are making and performing. We are recording our first EP in February of next year. Details of pre-order coming soon but for now here is a sample of a performance in the summer.

Stroud Fringe Choir will be performing under Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon on Saturday the 2nd November at 1.15pm in Gloucester Cathedral. I'm also delighted to announce they will be singing Rest, my secular requiem written with Toby Litt, in its entirety at the next Hidden Notes Festival in a woodland clearing in collaboration with Hawkwood College on the 27th September 2020.