I’ve just performed at the first virtual concert of the Self-Isolation Choir Summer School. It was a week learning and rehearsing – under the guidance of musical director Ben England – a selection of works from the repertoire of the great John Rutter and included the beautiful A Clare Benediction.
The next week of the summer school will include Patrick Hawes’ and Andrew Hawes’ 
(lyrics) sublime Quanta Qualia. And Patrick will be directing it personally. I’m a huge fan of Patrick Hawes and had the privilege of singing, a few years back, the UK premiere of his magnificent Te Deum.
It’s been a bit hectic as I’d thought the Summer School was in August and then discovered it was in June and I’m also doing three other hands-on courses, so juggling the art and the music has been difficult, but I like this very close proximity – and blending – of the two disciplines and they speak to each other.
It’s trite to say that music and art are interconnected – the terms Colour and Tone, for instance, are referenced in both visual art and musical contexts – but I’ll say it anyway.
Neither do I have to mention Kandinsky – the first artist to create artworks (often calling them Improvisation or Composition ) directly influenced by music – but I will.
Not trite is this Kandinsky app that enables you to draw shapes and colours which then can be played back as music. It’s been developed by Chrome Music Lab – an innovative web site for learning music through hands-on experiments. The app should have an extremely addictive warning. The entire site. Whatever you do, don’t visit the Songmaker page.
… here …
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That print is amazing! Will listen to the music on a different device, that actually loads Youtube! I’ve been exploring Hildegard von Bingen’s music – and art. The music is enough to meditate by. Nice to see you hear. But that said: be as erratic about posting as you like.
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Well thank you about the print. Hildegard: a feather on the breath of God: such an exquisite image. And being a feather is something to aspire to. I collect feathers. Or they collect me. I have her ‘Voice of the Blood’.
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Haven’t heard that one yet! Will look it up for sure. The choir singing you took part in was exquisite too Ann.
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I have the book: Mystical Visions. Some CDs including Voice of The Blood, Canticles of Ecstasy. I must revisit Hildegard. Thanks for bringing her back to my attention. I’m enjoying singing ‘in isolation’. The tech’s a bit challenging at first but it’s good to be back grappling with ‘serious’ music.
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Blessings Ann. Be well and safe please!
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You be safe too. Leave off being a warrior goddess till after the pandemic. Blessings to you too.
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Ha-ha-ha!! I hear you. And I will.
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