Nervously getting funds in place

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)