The 2009 Get a Life Fund Awards were given to Chris Blake and Sue McKenzie

Chris Blake:

What a special experience. Auditions were never like this! Arriving at the Craxton Studios to be greeted and settled in by Mr and Mrs Wheatley. Tea and biscuits and very welcoming conversation! Then into the interview with a very receptive panel to whom it was very easy to pour out the excitement and fulfillment of my last few years exploring music with children with severe learning difficulties. Such a helpful experience in continuing to work out the path ahead.

The steps along the way have included such “wow” moments – the young man whose communication with the outside world largely consisted of reciting words from film scenes, who got so into making a storm on the piano, yelling “Harry Potter” at the end, who was completely transfixed as I played the theme, grasping my hand to make me do it again, giving me his hand to enable him to repeat the notes, and over the next weeks learning to read and match note names and play it on his own.The young girl with no speech, with whom the speech therapist had decided to concentrate on signing, because speech was such a distant possibility, who as I played and sang “Twinkle, twinkle little...” joined in with “aah” on the word “star”. The next week adding “pp” for “up” and later, in “My Bonnie” “ee” for “sea” and such a lovely round “o” for “ocean”...wow indeed for someone like myself who considered himself only a performer, NOT a teacher, and now so happy exploring music with my friends, the pupils of Parkview Special School.

So how to learn more? How to develop this special exploration and combine it with being Principal Horn of the Ulster Orchestra? And suddenly the discovery of this course, an Msc in Autistic Spectrum Disorder, being taught at Queen's University Department of Education – about 200 yards from my front door! But still how to afford time off from orchestral duties at a time when I or the Ulster Orchestra, like everyone else, has little extra finance to afford the major cost of replacing me in the orchestra to go to lectures and do my new homework? The day following my conversation with David Byers, the Ulster Orchestra's Chief Executive, a letter arrived at the orchestra office encouraging applications to “The Katherine McGillivray Get a Life Fund”, offering opportunities for professional musicians to take sabbatical leave from their full time occupation for study and development of a new pathway....

”WOW” again.

So a huge thank you to “The Katherine McGillivray Get a Life Fund” and its wonderful organisers, for confirming for me the next step, and making it possible to go on and start my studies on 27th September!

Sue McKenzie

The trip to London for my Get a Life Fund interview followed what had been an inspiring trip to Portugal where I had been having a consultation lesson with the legendary jazz player David Murray (World Saxophone Quartet). Although I was nervous, I was so happy to have been chosen for the interview stage of the application process. I had a lovely weekend in the capital catching up with old music college friends and was even more delighted when Alison phoned with the amazing news that I had been successful – it is SUCH an honour to have been given this opportunity.

As a freelance saxophonist for the last 15 years I have had a busy teaching and performing career in contemporary classical, jazz, folk and Afro Cuban music. When I submitted my proposal to the fund I had not long returned to playing after what had been a very difficult and challenging two and a half year break because of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ). This had caused jaw pain, dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to noise and migraines. Although I had dealt with the physical symptoms, returning to playing was not as easy as I had imagined and I began to realise that there were underlying issues causing physical tension.

It also became increasingly clear that the same issues had plagued most of my musical life and that I needed to stop ignoring them and do something drastic about the situation. I am very lucky to have worked with many wonderful musicians (from a wide range of musical genres) and to be able to pass on knowledge and inspiration to others is a huge privilege but I felt a very strong desire to take a break from my normal life. I needed to really get to know my instrument again after such a long period of not playing – almost going back to basics in order to move forward and develop fully as a musician.

I wanted the opportunity to take time to rethink my own teaching strategies and observe other peoples teaching methods. As well as developing old skills I want to learn new ones like composition, and to have new experiences that might help me discover a new sense of enthusiasm and motivation. To be inspired again.

New Beginnings

My project will take place over a 6 month period with some of the time spent at home practising, writing and travelling to Paris for a few days every month to have private lessons in improvisation and composition with jazz musician David Murray. I will also be spending two months in the US studying classical saxophone repertoire with Lynn Klock (Professor of Saxophone, Massachusetts University) in the form of private lessons as well as having the opportunity to take part in Mr Klock’s classes in the University.

I know from experience what a huge inspiration it is to be around better musicians who are positive and confident - for inspiration and enthusiasm to be the rule rather than the exception. Because I am both a classical and improvising musician it was important to identify two musicians and mentors who would be right for my specific needs. Having now met and talked to both Mr Murray and Mr Klock, I am convinced they are the right teachers for me.

I met David Murray in Glasgow a few years ago and I learnt more about being a musician and having the confidence to take risks from just talking to him than I have from anyone else. It is rare to meet someone so encouraging and positive. Obviously we would work from a saxophone viewpoint but, more importantly, he wants to help me start composing which is extremely exciting.

I watched Lynn Klock teach some of my own students in a master class and it was so inspiring that I was desperate to be up there taking part! It was an example of great teaching - firm and demanding but at the same time reassuring and supportive. I was so impressed that by the following day we had arranged for me to visit UMass, Amherst for some lessons.

The Get a Life Fund has even made a difference before my project has officially started. It has encouraged me to think ‘big’ and return to an area of playing I had been avoiding. In July I performed with my saxophone quartet, the Scottish Saxophone Ensemble, at the World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok. As well as participating in the Congress, we also were successful in our bid to bring the next Congress to Scotland so I now find myself as Assistant Director of the World Saxophone Congress 2012!

As I write this, I have just 4 weeks before I will be leaving for the States. It has been an incredibly busy month making preparations. I’m very aware that there are some big challenges ahead but I’m really excited about involving myself in university life as much as possible. I’m looking forward to lessons, taking part in masterclasses, concerts, singing in the choir, meeting new people and perhaps even taking part in the odd dance class! But the greatest gift is being given the opportunity to have the time and space to concentrate on playing. I think this project will be an exciting and exhilarating experience - the results will lead me down new paths that I have not yet realised or considered, giving me renewed energy to try different things and look for new opportunities. I also look forward to sharing the next 6 months through my blog – please come back online to see how I’m getting on!