April brought a varied set of challenges. After the Easter holiday I returned to rehearsals with Bristol University's Symphony Orchestra, beginning their summer series and working on Eric Coates' fabulous light orchestral music.
A new set of rehearsals began, this time a cello ensemble of myself and three other university cellists. We performed five pieces on May 2nd in a lunchtime concert at St Paul's Church, Clifton, Bristol.
On April 23rd I watched a concert held by a string quartet and a clarinettist in Rhiwbina, Cardiff. The musicians were from BBCNOW and it was great to see a number of the orchestra come along to support their colleagues. I particularly liked the Finzi they played.
On April 24th and 27th I dusted off my baton and conducted a chamber orchestra rehearsal (Mendelssohn's First Symphony) and a brass band rehearsal (Cross of Honour March). It was great fun to be back on the podium and I look forward to my next conducting opportunity.
On April 29th I travelled back to Herefordshire again for another wedding concert. I like supporting people's special occasions with my music-making and with the warmer, sunny weather coming back in force it was also great to play with the doors wide open!
I've also found out that ‘Seaguard’, which was premiered at the start of March by BBCNOW, will be broadcast on Radio Cymru on 14th May. This will be my first radio broadcast, made even better by being in my adopted home country, Wales and presented in Welsh.