Yes, there is a recession. Yes, funding is being cut, not least to the Arts. Yes, I managed to print 800 books this year, thanks to a great cash flow model designed by my music press, without which I would not have a chance at being an independent music publisher. Yes, I'm currently low on funds due to the set up costs involved in creating the books. Yes, I'd been invited to play a lecture recital in the States; my American debut, which came without any Honorarium. Yes, I said "yes" and committed to the performance date at International Women in the Arts Conference, University of Missouri-St Louis, before I had raised the money to go. Yes, I then applied for "composer travelling abroad bursaries" and yes, I was turned down twice, first by PRS (Performing Rights Society) and then by the British Council. Yes, it was pretty scary that I might not honour the conference booking and would therefore damage my reputation, let good people down and also miss out on valuable associated opportunities for exposure. Yes, I then decided to canvas my close network of fans and ask them to buy batches of CDs from me (I suggested that having a pile of CDs to hand would make a convenient stock of presents for Christmas) and I also asked my sponsor (more of the sponsor in the next blog) for emergency assistance and...yes, I raised the necessary funds...meaning, yes, I will, after all, be giving publicity to my piano books and piano competition in up to ten learning centres in Missouri and New York City. Ten days til I go! YES!
(The structure of this blog is inspired by Sue Hubbard's poem "...yes" from The Idea of Islands)
(The structure of this blog is inspired by Sue Hubbard's poem "...yes" from The Idea of Islands)
