Back to Singing There's a waft of autumn crunch riding the breeze and the feeling of the city cranking up again after holiday times... it's definitely back to school and back to singing with sharpened pencil tops and a satchel full of harmonies...  Here's some thoughts about making learning a tip-top adventure...   1. Permission We need to give ourselves permission to act out our dreams and visions, not look for more sensations, more phenomena, but live our strongest dreams - even if it takes a lifetime - Vijali Hamilton Every time we want to learn we have to actually allow it to happen - to give ourselves permission to grow, learn, change and take risks as part of that process.  We need to be willing to get out of our own way to enable learning to happen.  We need to be willing to make plenty of mistakes and backward steps as we move towards new ideas, schemes and projects.. and we need to give ourselves time to grow. 2. Clear Intent A true intention or belief does not need to be spoken. It is revealed through one's action. Having a clear intent is like putting an address on the envelope - it gets things places.   Intention requires tuning in to deeper motivations - our WHY -  so we can direct ourselves with clarity and elbow grease to the journey ahead.  Taking time to set clear intentions can save enormous amounts of time and energy, as it acts like a internal sat nav enabling us to be clear about what we are doing, where and with whom. 3. Space  The story goes that a Zen Master, when a rich man demanded that he teach him the way of Zen, filled a tea cup to overflowing and said    “You are like this tea cup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”   All learning requires emptying - the making of space in the our mind, heart and habits for new adventures.  To learn to sing requires a setting aside of daily distractions so we can to listen fully - both inwardly and outwardly.  Often where we are most full up is in our mental stories - the things we have been told and told ourselves about our own capacities. Learning to sing allows us to let go of the voice of that old music teacher who sent us to the back of the room when we were only 4 and couldn't get our heads round Mozart. As adults we can learn to tune ourselves up with the sweet harmonies around and within us that help us remember that everything is made of sound - from the beat of our heart to the music of the spheres and that singing is as natural as birds tweeting in trees... 4. Inner and Outer Resources Human resources are like the earth’s natural resources. They are highly diverse and often buried deep beneath the surface. They need to be discovered, refined and applied - Ken Robinson New adventures require equipment - whether its a folder for your song lyrics or a backpack for the round-the-world tour, getting the kit is all part of the process.  We also have to pack our inner knapsack with helpful qualities - patience, kindness, enthusiasm - and don't forget a bit of razzle-dazzle to keep spirits high :) Join a Global Singing Adventure Travel's promise is that tomorrow is not going to be like today - Samantha Brown I'm very excited to be setting off on autumn singing adventures with a new set of songs which will enable me sing with wonderful friends new and old at choirs, celebrate World Peace Day with One Day One Choir friends across the globe and make a splash for WaterAid at Sing for Water London.  All welcome to join me at choirs, events and singing sessions.  Whatever way you find to share your voice this September, I hope it fills your cup with fresh inspiration and allows you an outpouring of creative expression. Wishing you a spacious voyage of discovery this singing September Singing One Day One Choir with Tom Morley, Gill Manly & Jane Hanson at Black Tie White Lie Photo Jason Purple Photography

The Peace of Release

The Peace of Release It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. - Alan Cohen

Dear Friend We're all going on a Singing Holiday.... Here in the Northern hemisphere, many folks are embarking on summer adventures to release them from their everyday routines.  The word release comes from the French relaissier - to relinquish, the Latin relaxare - to loosen and PIE root words meaning to slacken.  In other words, we need to let it all hang out sometimes and summer holidays are one way to do that.  We can also find daily sources of creative inspiration to release and refresh us. I invite those of you still in London to come on a Family Summer Sing this Saturday August 12th 2-4pm at The Paxton Centre, Crystal Palace - all welcome!

Arts Enable Release I think I just get excited by music, and, like, singing is a very physical thing. It releases endorphins in your body. You're using almost muscle in there, and I think that adrenaline really helps to kind of make the songs fresh every time. - Florence Welsh, Singer Florence & The Machine

This image by David Shrigley is featured in the recent report by the All Party Parliamentary Report on Arts, Health and Wellbeing which celebrates the demonstrable and wonderful benefits of the arts at all ages. From various case studies of arts activities in healthcare settings, a cost-benefit analysis showed a 37% drop in GP consultation rates and a 27% reduction in hospital admissions. That represents an NHS saving of £216 per patient. Click here to read the report

Release Brings Real Ease (Peace) The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity. - Glenn Gould

Why people return to artistic activities time and time again is for the cumulative effects.  Yes there is a great endorphin rush after singing, just the same as any sporting activity.  But just like sports, we know we build inner and outer strength and ability when we do our reps - whether thats showing up at choir every week, committing to our community garden or turning up and tuning in for daily meditation.  The result - we get a regular release that builds lasting peace.

Thank you so much for the flood of lovely birthday messages- I had a wonderful seaside weekend with family (featuring the full cycle of English weather from thunderstorms to glorious sunshine) Peaceful thanks also to the generous pledgers, including the Mayor of London, who have helped us reach 52% of our crowdfunder to help us launch the Festival of Peace and LMP's #AnthemForPeace. You can find out more and make your Pledge for Peace here: https://www.spacehive.com/anthem-for-peace Wishing you much peaceful rest and release this August