It has been a while since my last blog and a bit has happened.  The silly season has come and gone and we are now into February – how the hell did that happen?

Since my last blog I have done some travelling.  I was in Graz, Austria around the end of November last year, just after the nonet tour.  This was part of an exchange between WAYJO and the Kunstuniverstitat Graz.  I visited for 10 days to check out the university facilities, meet the staff, do some teaching and performed a concert of my music with the Graz Composers Orchestra.  They have amazing staff and the students are at a high level, especially the composition students – how could you go wrong with Ed Partyka, Ed Neumeister and Mike Abene on staff?

The concert with the Graz Composers Orchestra was great fun.  We only got 1 rehearsal but the band were great and so it was not problem.  I got pretty nervous at the start of the concert because Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Mike Abene and Ed Neumiester were all in the audience.  Good times, especially for a big band nerd like me.

Carla Bley and Steve Swallow were at the Uni during the same time I was there (nicely timed, thanks Ed).  It was so great to be able to sit in rehearsals, workshops and watch their gigs.  What beautiful, kind, giving people.  The round table discussions were really insightful.  Lesson learnt – write music every day!

After getting back from Graz it was time for my PhD recital.  I performed 3 pieces that I have been working on.  This went really well and the ensemble was great.  They really helped me out with their commitment and enthusiasm to play.  It is such a pleasure to have great musical friends.  Now the recital is done it is time to write the thesis.  I am getting there but it feels like the more I do, the more I realise how much I still have to do.  A bit at a time and I will get there – right?

Christmas and New Years was awesome – hanging with my Perth family – the Sherwoods.  We have a mad Christmas day tradition and then Gab and I chill out big time on Boxing Day.  It was then off to Yallingup for about 10 days to relax and prep fro the next few months of thesis writing (and other things).

Mid January I had a whirl wind trip to Japan, as part of another exchange program we are setting up with WAYJO.  2 days in Tokyo to meet with the staff at Showa University and the sponosors of the exchange (ALNG).  It was such a quick visit but I still managed to see a bit of the city and eat some amazing food.  Check this vegan sushi plate out!

So now I am back on track, writing thesis and preparing for a big WAYJO concert coming up on Monday Feb 10th.  We are performing Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music with the Cape Town Opera Chorus at the Perth Concert Hall as part of the Perth International Arts Festival.  It will be huge!  So excited!  If you are interested – TICKETS HERE.

There you have it – a brief catch up of the last few months – now we are back on track.  Thanks for reading.  Speak soon