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he other two professional aspects of my life, teaching and writing, have helped keep my intellect from
atrophying, forcing me to take time to read more widely, to organise and coherently articulate my
T thoughts which, during the many distractions of our current dystopia, has been a means of maintaining
a notion of normality. I’m currently writing a chapter for a Cambridge University Press book on composition,
namely on writing for solo instruments, and the intensity of researching, of synthesising knowledge, the revela-
tions of new work and of the necessary feats of concision in summing up my musical views (and biases!) has
made me realise just how important the support is of a valued composer colleague and friend (who also hap-
pens to be my wife, Arlene Sierra), and that some things need long experience as well as knowledge to tackle.

s an educator, I was very lucky to have been a mentor once more on the Cohan Collective 2020
modern dance summer scheme for composers and choreographers, performers and dancers, with col-
A leagues of incredible ability and experience on the team; in particular, mentoring composer Edmund
Hunt, witnessing his new work come into being, the results of which – made in a blended Zoom and physical
environment – were joyous. Seeing new art made through the blending of intellect and physicality was particu-
larly special. No less uplifting has been the opportunity to teach a 12-year-old composer and performer, Jacky
Zhang, a piano finalist in the recent BBC Young musician competition and already a composer whose constant
development and unstoppable need to produce and challenge himself is a true joy. His future as a musician I
feel sure will be assured, and being a part of his growth, as I have been for others at somewhat later stages of
their careers – Hannah Kendall, Gavin Higgins, Barnaby Martin, Lara Poe being only four examples - helps me
remain connected with my own humanity in passing on what I have learnt myself and sharing the trials and suc-
cesses of emerging artists as my own teachers did for me. This connective tissue of musical experience and
hope interlocking one generation to the next makes it all the more important given the current times we live in.

Ken Hesketh
y own young son’s musical and personal development during this time of uncertainty has been the most touch-
ing, rewarding and profound experience of all, one that has taught me, as a parent, short notice supply teacher,
M accompanist (and Danger Mouse cartoon survivor), to seek to encourage him to view art and music, knowl-
edge and curiosity – openness - as a foundation of a well-lived life whatever the time and place he may find himself in.

hese turbulent times place strain on us all (and there’s so much out there to contribute to it without C-19). Eve-
ryone has different stress thresholds and it manifests itself in what we do. Yet living art and the need to make
T it is irrepressible and reinventing how we do so a necessity. There’s hope in that, humanity and empathy too.

www.kennethhesketh.co.uk

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