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My strategy regarding music through lockdown And this is music that we’re talking about, the
has been to think of the longer game. Even wonderful world of music. Something that may
though gigs, masterclasses & residencies in transport us to a different place, that evokes
Australia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Holland, emotional reactions, makes us think, makes us
Portugal and France were cancelled or listen, that helps us communicate and which
postponed, I did have four projects that had enables lifelong friendships. Hang in there folks,
been developing during the previous two years and here’s to the day when we’re all back on
all of which had release dates between May and stage, everyone is safe, and boy will that feel
October, so I was able to see these over the good!
finish line, three CDs and a film (info. as
mentioned on my website). Whilst we haven’t Andy Scott
been able to rehearse with the Apollo Saxophone September 2020
Quartet we have been able to make plans for
2021 and beyond in conjunction with our
manager and funding application guru, and it’s
credit to all involved that the group remains
creative and positive after 35 years!

Some unexpected lovely moments have
happened though, which brings me back to
‘people’. Bassist with the BBC Philharmonic Or-
chestra Dan Whibley created a beautiful
arrangement of a traditional Irish tune, Casadh
an tSugain, for Lauren & myself (harp & tenor
saxophone). We had no idea that he was doing
this for us and we were able to give it a premiere
live on Scala Radio, in a broadcast from our front
room! I received a phone call from a restaurant
in Bristol (via a record label owner and Member
of Parliament), which was closing because of the
pandemic “We have a baby grand piano, it’s yours
if you can collect it on Monday as it goes to the tip
on Tuesday…..” This was Friday afternoon. They
wanted it to go to a good home so I called our
local music hub and after a few frantic phone
calls it was collected in Bristol and delivered
to Sandbach School, on the Monday!

It’s been heart-warming to see how groups such
as wind bands and brass bands throughout the
country are being creative online. This is Andy Scott
especially important with youth bands and
keeping young musicians interested, inspired,
part of the musical family, and giving hope that
this isn’t going to last forever. In Sandbach,
Foden’s Band, Lions Youth Brass Band, the Love
Music Trust and incredible music (classroom and
instrumental) teachers continue to be vital to the
mental wellbeing of a lot of people.

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