When I last reflected on the category of ‘old barbershop’ eight years ago, I finished up by wondering what sounded normal then that would sound dated 20 years on. Well, it’s only eight years on, and I found myself thinking about perceptible cul...
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Valerie front and centre in blue: surrounded by some pretty awesome people The first words Valerie Clowes said to me when I met her in person were, ‘I fucking love your blog!’, which I’d take as a compliment from anyone, but was particularly po...
The leadership literature, both conductor-specific and general (which, come to think of it, I usually read through the lens of the conductor’s role), often talks about the importance of allowing yourself to be vulnerable as a means to inspire trust...
I recently reflected on how Abby Whiteside’s book Indispensables in Piano Playinghad helped bring into focus thoughts I had been toying with about the mapping of the structures of a body that plays music onto structures implicit in the music itself...
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Politicians in the UK want to train young male influencers in schools to be alternative role models to Andrew Tate. But it's probably not enough, say experts.
I wrote this post last September, in the midst of an eventful period in the British barbershop community, but a wise friend talked me down from posting it at the time. She may continue to have her doubts about the wisdom of posting it, indeed, which...
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Third-wave feminism? That's something about… liberation, diversity, individualism, right? I can't keep up either, lots of titles, names, dates…the Wikipedia entry is too long. Anyway, in a gross attempt to get and keep your attention, I'll summar...