Check this out.

My favourite pianist John Horler now has a new website. He is an incredible jazz pianist and worth checking out http://www.johnhorler.co.uk/

Thrilled to find this

Was thrilled to find this review of Razz 2 on the net
Razzamajazz Book 2 (+accomp)
Price: £7.99
Composer: WattsPublisher: KMGrade: 1-2
Category: Code: WAT218Editor's Notes:^

Editor's ChoiceFor all those of us who think that Sarah Watts is brilliant and Razzamajazz Book 1 completely indispensible, Book 2 is surely the answer to our prayers. Easier than her Repertoire book, the main focus here is on the middle register although low C and E flat are also included. The tunes are very appealing and well crafted to ensure that only one problem is tackled at a time. The rhythms are generally simple and the speeds slower to help reading and blowing in this tricky area. The CD unusually has the performance at a practice speed and the backing track at a performance speed which is an interesting idea and again should help the learning process still further. Also new is the addition of a series of notes for improvisation. Altogether it's a winner for me!

Christmas greetings!

Just to wish everyone who reads my blog A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS and may GOD richly bless your new year,

Sarah

Stop press!

I have just finished my new book "Sparkling songs for starter choirs". I hope to get it copied today, then in the post on Christmas eve (phew!). Its sixteen new songs including warm ups, fun songs, and rounds and part songs to encourage easy two and three part singing.

I am excited about it as usual, but particularly thrilled with a new song called "The Shrimp waltz". It is scheduled for publication in May.

Carols are good for you!

Just heard on the radio, that singing not only boosts the immune system, but is also good for the circulation!

The story of the flying saxophone!

I have just been playing in the big band for the Stables Christmas gala for the last few days. The show was as exciting as ever with lots of inspiring people around, and all went well, except for on the first night when J.D accidently kicked my sax stand over and my sax plummeted to the floor. The audience gasped, and the show stopped as John made me play a note to see if it was still working ( it wasn't!). I continued the first set to the interval on his sax (well I tried).

The mouthpiece was broken, and I have a big dent in the bell, but we managed to bend back some keywork in order for me to go on for the second half with a mouthpiece borrowed from one of the other sax players.

I wandered around in a daze the next day wondering what I was going to do for the rest of the run ( I stupidly only have one mouthpiece). I met my (very down to earth) neighbour Pam and explained what it was like playing someone else's mouthpiece, and she said "its like me cooking in someone else's kitchen" ( wise woman).

During the day various friends offered mouthpieces and instruments, and John feeling terrible about the whole thing sent out for three similar mouthpieces which he presented me with in the evening (lovely).

All was well, and the shows were great. I'm still cooking in someone else's kitchen, but I'm finding my way about a bit now.

Christmas comfort

Isn't it funny how you hang on to the same old Christmassy traditions and comforts because they remind you of past times. Martha has an Andrews sisters Christmas tape she's very fond of, and I have to confess to trying to buy "Tijuana Christmas" from Ebay this year in order to recapture the magic of those Christmases when I didn't want to believe that Father Christmas wasn't real.

My Mum was playing for a community centre Christmas evening recently, and got out her file of Christmas music. It occurred to me what a tale some of those sheets could tell . There were some from her war dance band days when they toured the Dales in a big taxi frequently getting snowed in after playing for a dance. She also tells the story of accompanying an officer singing "White Christmas", then returning home in the snow to find her baby niece had just been born.

I have many Christmas song memories from playing in John and Cleo Christmas shows at the stables and at Avril's village hall where the raffle prize was always a dozen eggs and it was fun looking at all the different styles of mince pies made by the villagers. And another verse of silent night brings another tear to the eye.

Sigh!

Classic Dudley Moore

Just found this on youtube a MUST watch, Dudley Moore plays Beethoven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GazlqD4mLvw

Do you know any of these men?

My friend Pinder has complained that I don't do enough blog posts as it helps to pass away her lunchtimes at work. Well, I'll try to post more Pinder, so here goes.

We had a Christmassy evening with friends at our Church ball on Friday. Unfortunately due to their enormous fame, and because of the risk of being mobbed by enthusiastic fans they had to come heavily disguised. Some of them may be known to you.

Interesting Website

The British and International federation of festivals has a new website ( I am one of their adjudicators). Its worth a look, just to see the local festivals that go on throughout the country. I think people often forget that these performing opportunities exist, and many of the festivals focus less on the competition and more on providing positive experiences and constructive feed back these days. Its worth looking just to see the range of what is available

http://www.federationoffestivals.org.uk/About_Us.html

welcome the silly season!

Well its started!. If I haven't done it now, it wont get done.

Only four concerts this week for the Shrimps, but hotting up.

It was nice to get Portia's feedback about Christmas Band in a book, is anyone else using it?. I really think it could be a good stock book for schools.

I am writing at the moment " Sparkling songs for starter choirs". Its a book of fun songs and warm ups that encourage singing in a choir situation. Some of the songs are rounds or have second parts . I am as usual excited about it. It should be finished by Christmas.

I would quite like to write some Christmas pieces for piano, Perhaps I should do that soon while I still feel Christmassy!!. I did the Christmas band in a book in March!!.