It has been full-on during the last few months. I write this at the tail-end of a sweltering heatwave in the UK…
I have received several ABRSM exam successes, including a Distinction for a Grade 7 pupil who has studied with me for less than a year. It is always interesting when new students join me, who may have learnt before and who wish to change teacher for a variety of reasons. There are inevitably things that can be improved upon and quite often it is a question of trying to assess what the gaps in their playing and knowledge are and equally, what can be built upon. This particular student has a fantastic work ethic and is very open to new ways of doing things so this result was rewarding. Another of my hard-working students received a Distinction for her Grade 6 exam.
A wedding I played for last month was particularly lovely: at the drinks reception, the wedding guests danced enthusiastically during my playing, which was great to see! Also, towards the end of the reception, the bride and groom found themselves alone in the room and swayed to my version of Roberta Flack’s “Killing me Softly” before heading off to the wedding breakfast. That was special….
Quite often with wedding engagements, face to face contact before the big day is a rare thing but recently, the groom for a wedding I am to play for towards the end of the year, actually visited me at my home and we had great fun, over a cup of coffee, putting ideas together for the music he and his partner wanted. He even lent me the score for a favourite musical so I will be preparing two songs from it!
I am delighted that two new wedding venues I recently approached have accepted me as a supplier for their wedding couples, which is really exciting as both places are spectacularly impressive with a wealth of history. Playing in such beautiful surroundings is always inspirational.
I am looking forward to the Autumn, meeting new students and clients, with exams and competitions to prepare for, the joy of teaching the piano and performing beautiful music for others, whatever form that may take and wherever it may be.