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CYM Library

@cymlibrary.bsky.social
929 followers 164 following 24 posts

The Community & Youth Music Library is a national resource. For a small charge we will lend music to your choir or orchestra, anywhere in the UK. cymlibrary.org.uk e-mail cymlibrary@gmail.com

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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Amazing - a 99-year old still singing in her choir, the Memory Lane Singers. thefinch.news/article/finc...
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Patrick Allies @patrickallies.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
It's time
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Nice review of the recent concert in memory of Ron Corp. www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
churchtimes.co.uk
Music: Ronald Corp OBE: A Celebration of his Life (Cadogan Hall, London)
Bridget West attends the concert in memory of the late Ronald Corp
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Sounds like an intriguing crossover of art and choral music.
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
It's a fascinating listen, about the piece that most choral singers will know so well. #HandelMessiah
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
In an interesting post from Finchley Chamber Choir, their singers share the performances, films and moments that first brought Shakespeare's words to life for them. fcchoir.co.uk/in-sweet-mus...
fcchoir.co.uk
“In sweet music is such art”:  Shakespeare in our lives – Finchley Chamber Choir
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Mr. Symphonist @deeplyclassical.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The finale is throwing everything it's got at me (including a tummy-wobbling organ contribution), and that's EXACTLY what I'm here for. I only hope my neighbours are still talking to me tomorrow #TurnThatShitUp 🔊🔊🔊🔊 #NowListening #NewReleases2026 #34
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Interesting short guide to 'How to start a church choir" by Bijan Omrani. Also references RSCM's 'The Choir Project'. thecritic.co.uk/how-to-start...
thecritic.co.uk
How to start a church choir | Bijan Omrani | The Critic Magazine
Sing hallelujah for the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). They have just announced the launch of a new Choir Project, in the hope of reviving popular interest in hymn singing and engaging young…
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Contemporary Music for All @comanewmusic.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
⏳It’s 10 days until CoMA Festival 2026 kicks off and here’s the full line-up of events at a glance. 👀See what’s happening near you and then head to our festival programme page to find out how you can be part of a new music adventure! 📌https://www.coma.org/whats-on/events/coma-festival-2026/
Graphic featuring a circular pattern of green spots overlaid on a background of text listing the cities where the CoMA Festival takes place. Below, there is the CoMA Festival 2026 logo and text saying: 10 days to go! 6-29 March, swipe to see what’s coming up, plus the logo for Arts Council England.Graphic featuring a circular pattern of green spots overlaid on a background of text listing the cities where the CoMA Festival takes place. Below, there is the CoMA Festival 2026 logo and text saying: Day by day: Friday 6 & Saturday 7 March: CoMA Norwich Pop-Up (workshop & concert) Norwich. Saturday 7 March: The Birds Vocal Workshop (workshop) York. Sunday 8 March: Come & Play Afternoon (workshop) London; There was a tree (concert) London. Wednesday 11 March: Movers & Shakers (concert) Leeds. Saturday 14 March: Contemporary Music For All (workshop) The Hague; Wandering Sequences (concert) Manchester. Sunday 15 March: Mysounds with CoMA West Midlands (workshop) Birmingham; sound @ CoMA Festival (workshop) Aberdeen. Swipe for more.Graphic featuring a circular pattern of green spots overlaid on a background of text listing the cities where the CoMA Festival takes place. Below, there is the CoMA Festival 2026 logo and text saying: Day by Day: Thursday 19 March: CoMA Melbourne’s first gig! (concert; workshops Feb/Mar) Melbourne; Hoofd vol klanken: Mark Applebaum (concert) Ghent. Friday 20 March: Translations (concert) Glasgow. Saturday 21 March: A Sense of (p)Lace (workshops & concert) Nottingham. Sunday 22 March: Immediate Pieces Play Day (workshop) Leeds; Concert CoMA (concert) Paris. Wednesday 25 March: CoMA Listening Club (talk) online. Saturday 28 March: Sky Above the Clouds (concert) Sheffield. Sunday 29 March: The Finishing Line (concert) London.
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Mr. Symphonist @deeplyclassical.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Happy #NewReleaseFriday! I only discovered Elsa Barraine last year. Now her impressive symphonies get their second recording. Plus music by another fascinating Frenchwoman. These and lots more on my symphony & orchestral #NewReleases playlist, updated every Friday. ▶️ open.qobuz.com/playlist/513...
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9840993--mel-bonis-orchestral-workshttps://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9839399--elsa-barraine-symphonies-nos-1-2-voina
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
It's surprising to see a leader in The Economist about the shortage of tenors! Many choirs have to deal with this problem. www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
economist.com
How to solve the tenor shortage
A voice that is made, not found
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Royal College of Music @rcmlondon.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Unsung: Treasures of the RCM opens today at the RCM Museum! Discover the untold stories of the RCM's diverse community and an array of musical curiosities. 🔍 Learn more: bit.ly/rcm-unsung 📷: © Yvadney Davis, Milein Cosman/The Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust
A drawing of a woman with dark hair, hoop earrings and a pinafore next to an artwork of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a black man wearing a beige patterned jacket with an orange patterned background.
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Libraries Connected @librariesconnected.org.uk · 04/02/2026
#Libraries - @creativelivescl.bsky.social want to hear how creative groups across the UK are faring. Everyone who completes this survey can enter a random draw to win a £250 grant to support their creative group. www.creative-lives.org/creative-liv...
creative-lives.org
Creative Lives Monitor 2026
Tell us about your creative group - and you could win a £250/€290 grant.
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Vaughan Williams Foundation @vwfndn.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
A thought for all the singers out there! 🎶
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John Andrews @jkaconductor.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Happy Birthday Felix (performance from 2024 I think…).
youtube.com
MENDELSSOHN Hebrides Overture NSO
YouTube video by John Andrews
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Egham Choral @eghamchoral.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Felix Mendelssohn’s birthday - a good reason to ask you all to come along and sing Elijah on 7th March at Strodes College 10am-4pm www.eghamchoral.org/product/come-and-sing-event “his wrath will pursue us till he destroy us” is great fun to sing atm
Poster advertising come and sing event in Egham UK
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Alternative Classical @alterclassical.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
16 composing opportunities, including a residency programme, a call for scores, and an award for young composers: www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/arts-jobs
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Alternative Classical @alterclassical.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
The Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Prize supports young composers from underrepresented backgrounds. Prize: £1,000 bursary Deadline: 5 Jan www.londonmozartplayers.com/sctprize-2025/
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Leah Broad @leahbroad.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
**NEW POST** This week on women composers and "marketability", and why the idea that there's no market for women composers is nonsense. If somebody says this, what they actually mean is THEY don't know enough about the music to know how to market it. leahbroad.substack.com/p/but-theres...
leahbroad.substack.com
“But there’s no market for women composers…”
Let’s retire this tired idea please.
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Contemporary Music for All @comanewmusic.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
PARTSONGS: 12 pieces specially composed for small vocal groups, including works by Amber Priestley, Janet Oates, Christopher Fox, Kerry Andrew and Michael Pisaro. Try them in classrooms, workshops, concert halls – or even around the festive fireplace. Order here: www.coma.org/our-music/pu... 🧵3/4
Cover image of CoMA's partsongs anthology
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London Youth Choirs @londonyouthchoirs.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Our #ChristmasChallenge is NOW LIVE 🥳 This week, please consider a donation to London Youth Choirs to help us achieve our citywide vision for all young singers 🙏 Head to the link below to donate today 🔗 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
A group of primary school age children look in front of them and are singing. They are wearing green t shirts with the London Youth Choirs logo on them.

Upper left hand corner: 2-9 December 2025
Upper right hand corner: Big Give Christmas Challenge Logo
Lower third: Big Give, we are live! Please donate
London Youth Choirs logo, convex logo, The Childhood Trust logo
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Three Spires Singers @threespiressing.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Wishing all musicians & music-lovers Gool Cecilia Lowen: happy St Cecilia’s Day! We’re celebrating it by singing Brahms, with soloists Florian Störtz and Francesca Chiejina & accompanied by our good friends the Three Spires Orchestra. Truro Cathedral, 7.30 tonight, tickets on the door if needed.
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John Andrews @jkaconductor.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Fabulous article by Dr Samantha Ege ahead of tomorrow’s release. @leahbroad.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Out of the shadows: why Avril Coleridge-Taylor deserves to be heard
The daughter of the British composer Samuel made controversial choices that took her on a different path to her father’s activism. Ahead of the premiere recording of her piano concerto, its soloist lo...
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Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Yesterday at St Paul's Cathedral @johnrutter.bsky.social conducted the premiere of his I'll Make Me a World with mezzo-soprano Melanie Marshall, baritone Jonathan Brown and The Bach Choir. We also performed John's The Gift of Life, as well as Vaughan Williams' Symphony No.5. 📷 Duncan Wood
A wide shot from up above of the Orchestra and Bach Choir on stage under the dome in St Paul's Cathedral
The Orchestra and Bach choir on stage. The St Paul's quire, lined with lamps, is behind them
John Rutter conducting the Orchestra
John Rutter and the Orchestra standing for applause on stage. John is stretching out his left arm.
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Andrew Griffiths @colla-voce.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Mega-niche programming shout-out: early Baroque-ish Christmassy things for not more than SSATB (or SSATTB at a pinch) plus instruments (quartet) which involve, or /could/ involve recorders? I have the Messe de Minuit, obviously...
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Kensington Symphony Orchestra @kso.org.uk · 11/11/2025
🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️We’re back at @sinfoniasmithsq.bsky.social on Sunday afternoon for a performance full of girl power 📘 Grab a programme to learn more about the unfairly overlooked 20th-century British composers Doreen Carwithen and Ruth Gipps
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
This exhibition at Foundling Museum, London looks interesting: "Explore the power of music thru Handel’s ‘Hallelujah’. Musical scores, librettos, musical instruments, paintings, photos, archives. A fresh look at origins & popularity of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’. foundlingmuseum.org.uk/event/a-gran...
foundlingmuseum.org.uk
A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music - Foundling Museum
Looking at the exhilarating experience and enduring impact of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ in the past and present, A Grand Chorus explores the profound effect that music can have on both listeners and per...
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Roger Allam talks about his role in The Choral, a Alan Bennett-scripted film, directed by Nicholas Hytner. It shows a choir in 1916 preparing for a performance of the Dream of Gerontius. Simon Russell-Beale has a cameo as a very grumpy Elgar. www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
theguardian.com
‘I’ve played a lot of sneery bastards’: Roger Allam on bad singing, big paydays and Elgar’s level of ‘gitacity’
He launched a thousand memes as the beleaguered Tory MP in The Thick of It, and starred in the original production of Les Misérables. Now the actor is making not-so-sweet music in the Alan Bennett-scr...
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Vaughan Williams Foundation @vwfndn.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Ralph Vaughan Williams believed music should belong to everyone. In this article, Jack Pepper opens his new Pepper’s Portraits series for medici.tv with the story of a composer who lived - and wrote - for humanity. 📖 Read it here:
pageturner.medici.tv
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Composer for the people - Page Turner by medici.tv
Jack Pepper’s Portraits series shines a light on Vaughan Williams, revealing the man behind the legendary music.
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Here is a Spotify playlist of music by Black British composers: open.spotify.com/playlist/4BE... It has 25 tracks and was created by Harrison Knights, Assistant Director of Music at St James Piccadilly (London) for #BlackHistoryMonth. Read more here: www.sjp.org.uk/black-britis...
open.spotify.com
Black British Composers
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Open Up Music 🎵 @openupmusic.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Help make the Clarion - our accessible musical instrument that can be played with any body part, including head movement - widely available to young disabled people. Vote for Open Up Music in the #ArtExplora Audience Choice Award⤵️ bit.ly/ArtExplora2025 #EuropeanAward #AudienceDevelopment
A young female musician plays the Clarion in an orchestral rehearsal. She is smiling and is a wheelchair user. Blue text in a yellow box reads: "Vote for Open Up Music. Help us win €30,000 to make the Clarion widely available to young disabled people."
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Royal College of Music @rcmlondon.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Celebrating Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s 150th anniversary! Hear the RCM alumnus' spirited Novelleten for string orchestra, performed by talented young musicians of the RCM Junior Department earlier this year. Read more about his legacy and life at the RCM: bit.ly/3V0UJtT #FlashbackFriday
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Dr. Marianne C.E. Gillion @mcegillion.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
#EarlyMusic is in the news this morning! But here’s a better article than the one that’s making the rounds, with more context, and input from a musicologist. The rediscovered music is #plainchant - which was the musical foundation of religious life at the time. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Buckland Abbey monk music to be played after almost 500-year gap
The music was discovered by a University of Exeter historian inside a 15th Century book.
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Sad to see. ISM’s analysis of this year’s A-level music results "shows there has been a decrease in music entries of 1.8% across the UK in the last year. In England, fewer than 5,000 students took A-level music for the third year running." www.ism.org/news/music-a...
Graph showing decrease in UK A-level music entries 2010-2025
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Alternative Classical @alterclassical.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Sign up to our newsletter to receive our updates twice a month. This includes job and funding opportunities, new articles and upcoming events. www.alternativeclassical.co.uk/newsletter
alternativeclassical.co.uk
Newsletter — Alternative Classical
Receive concert recommendations, music jobs and opportunities, and news of innovation in the classical music sector.
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Wakefield Libraries @wflibraries.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
We are delighted to announce that Pontefract Library will be hosting an amazing exhibition about the history of Black British Ballet! At the library on 1-27 August! Our libraries are also hosting fun events as part of it! For more information, visit: experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/black-...
A lady ballerina dancing in a library
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Vaughan Williams Foundation @vwfndn.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
What makes Ralph Vaughan Williams special as a composer?
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Neil Schofield-Hughes @neilschofield.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
This is a terrific disc. But, more importantly, what a composer Grace Williams was. Such a powerful and utterly distinctive voice. And, as well as this, her masterpiece - the huge, stunning Missa Cambrensis - is at last now on disc too.
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CHORALLY @chorally.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
🎼✨ Dream of conducting with the best? Here’s your chance! The Sixteen is offering a prestigious Conducting Scholarship in the UK 🎶 Apply by 27 May 2025 and take your place at the podium! 🧑‍🎼 @The Sixteen www.chorally.co/c/opportunit...
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Frank has turned his IAML UK ASW talk from last month into a blogpost.
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Three Choirs Festival @threechoirs.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
It is with profound sadness that the Three Choirs Festival marks the passing of the esteemed composer and conductor Ronald Corp OBE. We were greatly anticipating Ronald's presence at this year's festival in Hereford. Read more - 3choirs.org/news/remembe...
3choirs.org
Remembering Ronald Corp (1951–2025) | Three Choirs Festival
It is with profound sadness that the Three Choirs Festival marks the passing of the esteemed composer and conductor Ronald Corp OBE. His significant contri
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Siglo de Oro @siglodeorovocal.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
We're holding auditions for professional singers based in the UK, who would be interested in joining us for our projects. Successful applicants are likely to have high levels of vocal technique and musicianship, and a strong background in choral and ensemble singing.
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Ed Wilson @eddwilson.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
"The latest on the conveyor belt of mammoth resurrection stories came this week in the form of a slightly hairy mouse. Colossal Biosciences, the US company behind the “woolly mouse” and ensuing media frenzy" www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... #wato
theguardian.com
Reviving the woolly mammoth isn’t just unethical. It’s impossible | Adam Rutherford
At a time when US scientists are under attack from their own government, the illiteracy around these elephantine fantasies is dangerous, says geneticist Adam Rutherford
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Blackheath Choir @blackheathchoir.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Each week we share a recommended choral track, many by composers who happen to be female. So for #IWD2025 here's a recap of the brilliant women we've discussed in the past year: Margaret Bonds, Marianna Martines, Ethel Smyth, Lili Boulanger, Fanny Hensel, Caroline Shaw, Maddalena Casulana, (1/3)
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In Quires and Places where they meme @quiresandplaces.com · 08/03/2025
Today on #InternationalWomensDay we remember Maria Hackett (1783-1874) without whom choristers today - and consequently the entire world of sacred choral music - might not exist. 1/5
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Choir of the Earth @choiroftheearth.com · 08/03/2025
Our first come-and-sing event of the year was on the Isle of Wight in February and @benenglandbem.bsky.social has since been conducting his way north, bringing Haydn's stunning Nelson Mass to choral singers around the UK. Today is our last UK stop, at the beautiful St Cuthbert's in sunny Edinburgh!
St Cuthbert's Parish Church, Lothian Road, Edinburgh
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Crouch End Festival Chorus @thechoircefc.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Happy #internationalwomensday from the women of #CEFC! 🎵🎉
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Dr Amy Zigler @dramyzigler.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
This is such an exciting find for #EthelSmyth research! The presumed lost complete manuscript of the Mass in D has been found!! Congrats on this find, @lisacolton.bsky.social and the archivists @livunilibrary.bsky.social !
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Making Music UK @makingmusicuk.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
If you're looking to include more women composers in your repertoire, check out the databases below from Donne - Women in Music and The F-List for Music. 🎶 donne-uk.org/the-big-list/ 🎶 thef-listmusic.uk #InternationalWomensDay #WomensDay #WomenInMusic
A webpage titled 'The Big List' featuring a grid of six images representing different centuries of women composers. Each image has a historical portrait or artistic representation of a composer overlaid on a floral background. The categories listed are '16th Century & Before,' '17th Century,' '18th Century,' '19th Century,' '20th Century,' and '21st Century.' A search button is above the grid, and a 'Join the Big List' button is below. A note at the bottom mentions that the list is regularly updated and invites users to contribute information or suggest names.A digital banner featuring three circular images of women engaged in music-making, set against a red background with purple and teal circular accents. The left image shows a woman playing a keyboard and singing expressively. The center image features a woman playing the cello with focus. The right image depicts a woman with curly hair, wearing headphones, writing music while playing an acoustic guitar.
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CYM Library @cymlibrary.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Hornsey Library is celebrating its 60th birthday. We wish them well on their 60th year in this fine building. It's a Grade II listed building, dating back to April 1965. It also provides a home to the CYM Library.
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