🎶 Silver Rose, RNCM International Brass Band Festival and Cardiff University School of Music.

I was thrilled to hear the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band perform my'Silver Rose' last Sunday 26 January at the RNCM Brass Band Festival, conductedby David Bremner (principal trombone of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra) andnarrated by Micha Lazarus, a descendant of WW1 poet Isaac Rosenberg, whose textis at the heart of the music. Huge thanks to them and to David Thornton, Directorof this fabulous festival.

I also had a chance to listen to,spend time with, and be inspired by, some amazing musicians.

And then two days later on Tuesday28 January I heard that the highly regarded Cardiff University Music School is scheduledto be axed. I studied there for my BMus degree and PhD, was an associatelecturer for several years and am now an external examiner. I owe so much to thewonderful experiences, amazing support and encouragement from staff, and amgrateful for lifelong friends. The news is just devastating for music in Walesand the UK, and for culture generally. I know that many people, includingmyself, are working together to help raise awareness and to try and save thishistoric music department, which is such a beacon of musical class and quality.My thoughts go out to all involved.

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