On my travels. this is my most asked question - excluding the political ones!!The truth is ....it choose me! How lucky was I ? Loving the recorder, adoring school choir, a woodwind instrument was an obvious choice for a second instrument. I had already started piano at age 13. So. at the age of 15 I found myself waiting for the next woodwind instrument to arrive. Flute? clarinet? ...maybe. When the teacher informed me a bassoon was arriving and it was the first one in the school and indeed the county, my reaction was 'a what ?" .....and how lucky was! ? !!! The truth being, had I started flute or clarinet the competition would have been so much greater when it was time to audition for music schools.
It was golden days during my school years performing in school and county orchestras, bands and ensembles. Being the only bassoon player for miles, carried a bit of a responsibility. 🤣 Competitive music festivals and frequent trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh to hear and see the big guns of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and BBC Scottish were not only a real treat but the heart of great friendships. We still chat about these times. Monthly trips to Alloa Music Club revealed gems of distinguished musicians including the spirited Hinge and Bracket (I ironed their dresses!) All these cherished times were organised and supported by two magnificent music teachers, Mr Sandy Sinclair and Mrs Mary Griffiths. Without their tireless organising (we travelled in school mini bus) free music tuition, live music and opportunities would not have been experienced. Our school was at the heart of a mining and industrialised town and this was the 70's . Lornshill Academy Alloa, supported a number of little villages which were populated with large council housing estates. I lived in a two bed council house in Tullibody. No central heating, car or phone but we did have a fridge (home made ice lollies😛)
The highlight of the summer was the camp of The National Windband of Scotland. We discovered delightful Dalkeith and Dumfries. We slept in army camp beds in empty schools. But it was all about the music and achieving steps through the training bands into the main ensemble. Cherished times of rigorous expert tuition from distinguished musicians from Knellar Hall Royal Military School of Music expertly lead by the Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Bashford OBE. My final performance with the group was our tour to Norway (first time abroad, first time on airplane)
Thankfully through financial support from The National Coal Board's Miner's Welfare Fund I was able to purchase my first bassoon for my next steps at RSAMD (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).... How lucky was I ? P.S the black and white picture with the tractor is my practise time while working at Butlin's during my student years.
During our open mic session last month with the Fife Ukulele Orchestra ..instead of performing on my ukulele...I whipped my Bassoon out for a few bars of Lucy Long...
Remembering Bob Marley
Bob Marley died 40 years ago on 11th May 1981. He was born on 6th February 1945 in Nine Mile Jamaica. I love sharing his music in my "Music of Latin America" lecture.
The Jamaican singer, musician and songwriter served as a world ambassador for Reggie music. He is the king of the Caribbean musical Jungle. His Reggie music is really a fusion of Rhythm, Blues, jazz, calypso, African and American music.
Bob sold more than 20 million records throughout his career, making him the first international superstar to emerge from the so-called third world. In 1963 Marley and his friends formed “The Wailing Wailers”. He had a colourful career and was a member of the Rastafari movement, who's culture was a key element in the growth of Reggie. Bob infused his music with a sense of Spirituality. Sadly, he died of cancer at the young age of 36 in Florida.
Bob Marley was and still is, an inspiration because he gave back to the people. His viewpoints on racism, freedom and love made him and his music unforgettable.
We can recognise some of these quotes:
Relax and Enjoy - No Woman no Cry
Subscribers will be able to download and print off "No Woman No Cry"
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