One Hundred And One Things

Why do I want to do this?

I'm never going to be the next Jacqueline du Pré, but I do enjoy playing my cello. The trouble is, now I'm not in any sort of orchestra, I don't make time to do it.


How will I know I've done this?

Every month for the duration of the 1001 days, I'll have spent an hour playing my cello.


I'll record this in posts in this journal.

- 30 November 2010 - an hour on Classics For Idiots and a few scales. Mostly The Swan.

Why do I want to do this?

I could do with sharpening up my vocal technique. I think - hope - it will build my confidence, too.


How will I know I've done it?

I'll have spent at least one hour with a self-described singing teacher, concentrating on improving my singing voice.


I'll record this in a post in this journal.

Why do I want to do this?

I love jazz, but I hardly ever get up and go to a jazz night off my own bat. This goal is meant to be a little kick in the right direction.


How will I know when I've done it?

I will have gone to a jazz night, gig, concert, whatever, not because that's what a friend's birthday party happened to involve, nor because someone I knew was in it, but because I wanted to.


I'll record this in a post here.

What's this about?

And, more to the point, what does the picture of me in my little brother's hat have to do with anything? Well, I took it towards the end of a rather raucous party, which is a context in which you are fairly likely to discover me singing. Being of a somewhat retiring nature, I don't tend to open my mouth in front of strangers.


Why do I want to do this?

Singing is an important part of my life in both sacred and secular contexts. I'm not a great singer - but I'm not actually a bad one; I'm just very underconfident (it comes of living all your life with people who sing your own part better than you do). I want to force myself out of my comfort zone.


How will I know when it's done?

I will have sung a stretch of music at least four bars long, either alone or in an ensemble small enough that my voice can be clearly distinguished and attributed to me, in front of a group of people that includes strangers, three times. Alternatively, I will have one recording of my singing, other than the Cats' Duet, posted somewhere on the internet, or broadcast as part of my husband's Advent Calendar, and will have sung a stretch of music at least four bars long, either alone or in an ensemble small enough that my voice can be clearly distinguished and attributed to me, twice.


I'll record this in this journal, probably on this post. If a recording ends up on the internet, I'll post a link to it.

What's this about?

ancientandmodern is the journal where I talk about hymns. A typical post would include the lyrics, a video, if I can find a decent one, a short(ish) meditation, and possibly some historical notes on the lyricist and composer.


Why do I want to do this?

I've let this slide recently, and it's a pity. I think I need a bit of a kick to post more often.


How will I know when it's done?

I'll have posted articles on 101 hymns at ancientandmodern.


Progress can be tracked on the journal itself, and at this post, where I'll put links to individual articles.


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