Singing New Songs

I love music. This last few days have reminded me how much it has marked and continues to mark my life. Like rings in a tree’s trunk, there are so many songs that are part of my growing up; so much music that has left its groove in me forever. We are staying with close friends in Ireland, celebrating their little girl’s baptism. We have been part of family celebrations with them for over 15 years and music has always been present at these events, in the way that only seems to happen organically in Ireland. Somebody brings a guitar, or whatever comes to hand, and by a certain point in the evening, the music starts. Sunday night was no exception and we had a joyous few hours singing and laughing together. But last night was even more special. The majority of the party had headed home, leaving us and our good friends together. We met when, as part of our degree 21 years ago, we all three were placed as English Language Assistants in the same French town. Our Year in Compiegne was gl...

I'm writing this from New Wine, which is a big, Christian gathering in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. GiraffeBoy, SmallBoy and I have been coming to this with church friends since 2012 and we have always loved it. There is great, age-appropriate children's work twice a day, fantastic worship and teaching for the adults from some of the most interesting Christian speakers around the world and, the biggest bonus, it involves camping for the whole week - one of mine and my boys' favourite things to do together. M doesn't camp and doesn't much like the idea of the whole thing anyway, so it's something that is purely for me and my boys. This year, we have shared camp with another friend's church, so we're making new friends and connections too. The only fly in the ointment has been the truly spectacular British summer weather. We're used to needing waterproofs and wellies, as well as suncream at New Wine but this year has taken the biscuit. Don...

Please meet my trusty companion of several years: my teaching suitcase. As someone who was well-trained by the girl guides, I like to be prepared. A lot of my pupils didn't seem to live by the same motto, so I have built up a store of music over the years.  If a pupil had sung it, I would carry a copy. Even if they had forgotten everything, I would always have their music so we could still practise, without me having to carry all my music books with me. Other singing teachers cope perfectly well without this ridiculous habit but I got used to it and it worked, even with up to 50 pupils across 3 schools. Apart from the practical problem it raised.... My case also held my admin folder, a folder of spare copies to give to pupils, some books for aural and sight-singing practice, a pencil case, notebooks for each school so I could keep track of pupils' progress and, to top it off, a large speaker and iPod dock. This meant it was a seriously heavy thing to tote...

This may seem a funny title for a first blog post but this week represents the "last of the lasts". For the moment, at least. My youngest son and I have both spent the last few weeks saying our goodbyes and packing up one phase of our lives, ready to embark on the next. For him, it's been about finishing at primary school, ready to start secondary school in September. For me, it's about dismantling a singing and teaching career I have worked really hard to set up and get going and have found massively rewarding, as well as challenging, ready to start training for ordination in the Church of England. Saying goodbye to schools and pupils at the end of term, ready to become a learner again myself. Perhaps I should introduce myself.  I'm Abby and I've been a singer and singing teacher for 7 years. Before that, I had a "proper job" managing communications in a government agency, where I thought I'd stay for a long time, but God seemed to have...