well lets be more realistic…aiming for one a day but if i get one a week i shall not torment myself too much…the thing really is not too peak too early…peaking should be about 31st Dec 2011!

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Today I got news a dear friend lost their beloved  young daughter after a routine operation and another dear friend buried her old  mother and it just reminded me how much we have to cherish all the people and the moments we love and hate. Life and death is all around us…a moment to be in the moment. Celebrate life! Arms up to the sky! Say yes!

SONG OF THE DAY

this is a cracking version of THE LOVE I LOST- by a newer version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, several of the original singers have passed away but their music lives on!

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This week I am running/facilitating two sessions called song swaps, and hopefully will not look as surprised as I do in this photo taken last year at a day I ran for the Southampton Gospel Choir.For those of you not involved in community and school singing, a song swap is when  a bunch of people get together and share simple songs -they are usually simple as people teach them by ear. The people go away and then teach the songs to other singing groups they have. Many are rounds, chants and simple songs from around the world.

I have been requested by a lovely student at the Institute of Education in London to run a session where I teach  students doing a Post Grad Teacher’s Certificate some simple warm ups and songs from Africa, I have a feeling I am the only one swapping songs..but who knows.

Today a similar thing somewhere else in the City..but there will be more swapping me thinks! Both are good.

SONG OF THE DAY

Time for a bit of rousing community singing…my lovely Bishopsgate Singers performing KAKI LAMBE (Kaki Lambe – Senegal folk song arr. Brian Tate. SATB. Pavane Publishing #P1249. distributed by Hal Leonard HL8301722) available on sheetmusic, but so good to teach by ear!

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talk by Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity click on the underlined title to see a 19 minutes inspired video about creativity.never read her book or seen the film , but this talk is hugely inspiring and funny.

SONG OF THE DAY time that UB40 to have a revisit..I always thought the words of this song were ‘I’m a prima donna’ but it is in fact ‘Ivory Madonna’..I think I prefer my version. definately got better with age.