Amidst the snow and chaos that has descended on Hampshire, my house has suddenly become a haven of peace and quiet, as the boys have disappeared with their friends to go and play on the Common. The schools and colleges close, but Mum PLC does not. I, as usual, am stuck at my computer, trying to write, but now am also juggling all the housework as well, as my lovely Vicky is stuck at her house, too.
I’m hoping against hope that the weather will abate by Friday, as Deb and I had finally got it together to ask for administrative help from the choir, and we were due to have our first meeting on Friday. Said help is now critical, as the Sacred Hearts bandwagon could turn into a juggernaut, if all goes well. The book has been chosen for Channel 4′s new book club, which is the successor to Richard and Judy’s book club. Apparently, R&J had a reputation for making their authors into millionaires. Who knows if this club will do the same, but as the purveyors of the “official soundtrack” (as some reviewers have called it), we had better be ready.
I have to say, I am prouder of Sacred Hearts, Secret Music than I am of anything I’ve yet done. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, particularly approving of our approach of mixing professional and non-professional voices. And all the anti-female-voices flak that I expected didn’t materialise, even given that most of the disc is devoted to Palestrina. Who knew? The Gramophone’s Editor’s Choice was the icing on the cake. I had to buy an issue in Gatwick Airport as I was on my way to Italy. I wanted to show it to everyone in the departure lounge, “See that? That’s me, that is!”
But there is still so much to do. We’re looking to tour a costumed show, something like we did at Sarah’s book launch at the South Bank, but expanded to a full evening. We have our first outing at the Brighton Fringe on May 3, and hopefully more will come in soon. Having Sarah as the reader will undoubtedly help; she is so charismatic, and audiences love her. Aren’t we lucky that she is so happy to have dozens of wannabe-nuns hanging on her extensive coattails!
I’m not, however, looking forward to making more habits and props. Or booking rehearsals. Or doing the accounts. Hence the need for help – and our lovely Sirens have rallied round. It would be amazing to see this choir able to launch itself with this opportunity as a springboard. We can’t lose sight of the fact that once the project is over, we will be back to Square One, looking for more programmes and more gigs.
And I will, of course, have to work out how to juggle more performances, work, research, family and the all-important sports-taxi job (although Son No 1 is now learning to drive, and I could trade use of the car for him taking responsibility for getting his brother to and from his myriad weekly training sessions and matches. Oh. Did I hear someone say, “In your dreams!”?).
Basta. Time to load the washing machine again and tend to the chapter, with another cup of tea.
Lovely. I'll order it right away…