Promises Kept
Taylor is kicking off the new year by featuring on Riley Savage's new single, Promises Kept. This spirited song is about the promises we all make to ourselves this time of year and holding onto hope - a very topical song for uncertain times.
Promises Kept is available on all the major digital distribution platforms.
Listen now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzbfdifi_QE
A Very Merry Christmas Concert
Taylor has continued throughout the whole of lockdown to meet with the choirs of the Wilmslow Guild using Zoom. To celebrate the music of the Christmas season, Taylor held a 'Zoom within a Zoom' concert for the second time this year. Choir singers and audience members alike sang along to carols and laughed at cracker jokes. The event was live, though the choral singing was recorded and compiled in the studio. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive:
"I wanted to say a massive thank you for the concert tonight...I’d never heard my dad sing in the choir before lockdown so both concerts have been a real treat. I could hear him so clearly on In The Bleak Midwinter tonight - it was lovely and made me quite emotional. Really summed up this whole strange Covid experience - rubbish not to be able to see him regularly but wonderful to be able to be part of something when I usually can’t. Thank you for making that possible."
"Thank you Taylor for a splendid and uplifting concert. I really enjoyed it and it’s the first feeling of Christmas spirit I have felt this year."
Though Taylor hopes to get back to conducting the choirs in person as soon as possible, she will continue holding innovative live events online until it is safe to meet together in person.
Have Yourself a Marple Indie Christmas
Taylor, on behalf of Semitone Studios, took part in a lovely video featuring small businesses in Marple. The video was organised by Goodness Marketing and filmed by Gavin Sturgeon to increase visibility of these local businesses in the run-up to Christmas. Read more and watch the video here: https://goodnessmarketing.co.uk/posts/merry-marple-video
Reasons to be Cheerful: The Big Issue
Taylor is absolutely thrilled to have been included in this week's edition of The Big Issue. Taylor's work with the choirs of the Wilmslow Guild is featured in a wonderful, uplifting article Reasons To Be Cheerful. The article can be found online here: https://www.bigissue.com/latest/news-getting-you-down-here-are-some-reasons-to-be-cheerful/ You can pick up a copy in print from your local vendor or download a digital copy using the app. It's a great story - and a great cause!
Metro Mention
Taylor and Semitone have been featured in the Metro this weekend in an article about businesses which have received support from the government during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The article can be found here: https://www.metro.news/progress-theres-a-raft-of-schemes-that-businesses-can-apply-for-to-help-them-navigate-covid-19/2170652/ (Scroll down or search 'Taylor' to find the mention.)
The Show Must Go On!
Taylor is proud to announce that private lessons, live music sessions, and choral rehearsals are all in full swing this autumn. Though the pandemic has made it very difficult for musicians, she continues to find new ways of working at Semitone Studios to provide lessons, entertainment, and time together - even though we're apart. For details on upcoming online events, please e-mail taylor@mynameishardtospell.com
Shards of Sanity by Riley Savage
Taylor is delighted to have performed on Shards of Sanity by Riley Savage. Comprised of nine songs, the project is the final piece of work for Savage's Master's Degree in Songwriting at the University of Bath. Taylor is featured on 'My Story', 'Year of Saturdays', and the epic ballad 'Promises Kept' (to be released as a single later this year). The album reached number one in the Reverbnation local folk charts, number three in Greater Manchester, and number 29 nationally. The songs can be previewed here: https://www.reverbnation.com/rileysavage/album/260593-shards-of-sanity
Wilmslow Guild Lockdown Concert
Taylor has been working with the Wilmslow Guild Singing for Fun choirs throughout lockdown, meeting each week to learn new pieces and record them, one person at a time, during their sessions. Taylor mixed the audio so that the singers could enjoy singing with each other, even apart.
Taylor and the choirs shared their hard work at a very special concert on 7 July. Using two concurrent Zoom sessions and the mixed audio recordings, she led the choirs in song for an audience of friends and family. It was a joyous celebration of music and togetherness.
Coronavirus Appeal Update
Taylor is pleased to announce that Safety Net 19 raised £735 for Stockport Mind's Emergency Coronavirus Appeal, and even got a special thank you mention. Thanks to all who helped make it happen, especially the amazing live music community at Semitone Studios.
The appeal is still ongoing, and it's not too late to donate. Visit the JustGiving page to help.
New Single Safety Net 19 Released
Safety Net 19 has now been released and is available on Spotify, iTunes, and on other online retailers to be streamed and purchased online.
Pre-release copies of the song were given to participants in the Everyone Needs a Safety Net fundraiser, part of the Stockport Mind Emergency Coronavirus Appeal, which was a huge success and exceeded its target. More information on the final results of the fundraiser will be posted as it is available.
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