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Eluned Mansell

@e-sings.bsky.social
197 followers 769 following 148 posts

Leadership, management and change in the education sector. Soprano with the CBSO Chorus. Arts and culture fan.

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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Inspired by Harmonium at the weekend! open.substack.com/pub/elunedma...
open.substack.com
A recipe for (maximal) minimalism
or how to scare a choir in one piece
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
New post: "Seven things we learnt from the elections" We found out a lot about how multi-party politics is working in Britain over the last few days. I look at the implications for all the main parties + the broader challenges for our system. (£/free trial) samf.substack.com/p/seven-thin...
samf.substack.com
Seven things we learnt from the elections
Hopefully Comment is Freed readers will have felt a sense of familiarity as election results came in over Thursday night and Friday.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
My latest blog on change, as we go through the process of finding a new choral conductor! open.substack.com/pub/elunedma...
open.substack.com
Transitions: the next phase of change
In my last blog, I talked about an ending.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Not at all relevant to Sam's analysis, but I still find it weird to see my first name in any sort of print as it's fairly unusual even in Wales!
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
2:22 A Ghost Story in Oxford. Shout out to Natalie Casey getting the show back on track after a hilarious interruption from an audience member caused everyone to get the giggles 😃
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Theatre #7 The Battle (Birmingham Rep) Fun, sweary telling of the battle for #1 between Blur and Oasis, with a very funny punchline that it could have got to a bit quicker
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
I mean... I have seen all these skaters skate live and I've never seen anything quite like that from Kagiyama and Malinin (or Shaidorov really, fair play to him!). Insane amount of pressure.
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sianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Well said by Marina Hyde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde
Obsessing over individual players and political chaos leaves less time to focus on the misogyny. And that’s for the best, isn’t it guys, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
At work, I often threaten to have tattooed on my forehead: 1. What are you trying to achieve? 2. What are the implications of that? 3. What resources do you have to make that happen? This piece makes me feel like that applies at all levels of operation!
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Had a great time at #EuroFigure this week - brilliant to see a bronze medal for the Brits and huge support from a packed arena
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Really interesting on the successes of enabling communities to make the changes they want to see themselves
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
New post just out: "Troubleshooters" How fixing the many small frustrations - that make up most of our interactions with the state - can give people faith in goverment's ability to make things work. And help create a different Whitehall culture. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
open.substack.com
Troubleshooters
How to get people believing in the state again
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Theatre #5. Incredible performance of All My Sons. Just wow.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Theatre #4 courtesy of NT Live, one of my favourite innovations. Great performances by Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden, and you get a great view for £20 from the comfort of your local cinema
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Theatre #3 Some much needed new year humour from Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. Mischief theatre are just brilliant!
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Theatre #2 - The minimalist staging of The Forsyte Saga at the RSC allows the story (and acting) to shine. Loved both parts of this (had managed to miss all previous TV adaptations, so the story was genuinely new to me).
The Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Already finished 2 TV series. V much enjoyed the Stranger Things finale - agree that the epilogue was disproportionately lengthy, but I was crying 😢 by the end. Satisfying ending imo.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Starting this year's support/ enjoyment of the arts with an awesome performance of Fiddler on the Roof, a musical I have actually managed not to see before now (no, not even the film). High quality all round.
The set for Fiddler on the Roof at Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
This one is interesting...
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
New post just out: "Who might replace Starmer?" With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over. Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference? (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
open.substack.com
Who might replace Starmer?
As predicted at the start of the summer, the idea that the Prime Minister might not make it through another year is gaining traction.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
New post out: "The worst social policy ever" Today we have a guest post from @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social on the abomination that is the two-child limit and why Labour need to scrap it ASAP. Lots of data but also powerful testimony. (Free to read) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
open.substack.com
"The worst social policy ever"
We have a couple of bonus guest posts over the next week.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
The first line made me laugh out loud, the rest was the usual tone of insightful and somewhat depressing (I have family being educated in Russia)
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Sending @samfr.bsky.social lots of get well soon wishes, following his latest attempt to become one of his own NHS statistics. As ever, hugely insightful piece, although I think everyone would prefer you not to have to write from firsthand experience!
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Are you listening? We're on BBC Radio 3 right now, with our season opening concert recorded last week! www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Radio 3 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to BBC Radio 3 on BBC Sounds
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
This week we performed The Dream of Gerontius as the CBSO's season opener - here's my tribute to Simon Halsey who steps down as Chorus Director after 43 years! elunedmansell.wordpress.com/2025/09/18/i...
Front cover of a Dream of Gerontius vocal score
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Great day at #rED25 - sessions from @beckyfrancis.bsky.social, @daisychristo.bsky.social, @chrisfountain.bsky.social and @dougobrien.bsky.social. It is always a delight seeing educators sharing their knowledge (on a Saturday no less) - brings such energy to the start of term.
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Martin Robbins @mjrobbins.com · 29/07/2025
My latest, exploring with numbers how the millennial household budget is basically incomprehensible to retired boomers.
open.substack.com
WASPInomics and the magic avocado tree
Why boomers struggle to make sense of the millennial world.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
New post just out: "Britain isn't broken" We have our problems but the doomerism is getting out of hand. I look at the real picture on crime, migration, social cohesion and the economy - rather than the dsyoptian fantasies of the radical right. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/b...
open.substack.com
Britain isn't broken
We have our problems but the doomerism is getting out of hand
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Never done a concert that started at 9.45pm before! Singing under the sea in Monaco with the Prince in attendance. Now making our way back home...
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Paul McCartney's music in Monaco! Turns out Nice is indeed nice, so we're having a wonderful time exploring, while prepping for Sunday's concert in the evenings
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Carl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 20/07/2025
*NEW POST* The Enduring Persistence of Neuromyths in Education A new study surveying over 3,000 Spanish teachers provides one of the most detailed snapshots to date. Fantastic work from @juanfernandez.bsky.social @ferreromar.bsky.social and colleagues open.substack.com/pub/carlhend...
open.substack.com
Beyond Neuromyths: Why Teachers Still Embrace Ideas That Don't Work
A new study surveying over 3,000 Spanish teachers, offers the most comprehensive picture yet of educational misconceptions in the wild.
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Services For Education @sfe-posts.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
🎉 We'd like to say the biggest thank you to each and everyone who has joined us this week 🎶   To our #SFEensembles - you have done us and yourselves immensely proud! ❤️   Any donations to support our ensembles are hugely appreciated 👉 tinyurl.com/y8xd6pnd   #ACEsupported
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Oak National Academy @oaknational.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Tough topics, made teachable: introducing our new online safety resources: oaknat.uk/3THU1RU 💻 Covering vital topics from incel ideology to influencer culture, sensitively, clearly, and safely 💻 Reflect the latest RSHE statutory guidance  💻 Age-appropriate, from KS1 to KS4
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
Absolutely loved seeing the fabulous ensembles perform last night. We heard Mozart on the steel pans, Backstreet Boys from the training winds and Star Wars from the Symphony Orchestra! Incredible focus from the children, impressive organisation by the staff. Particularly fab primary massed choir 🎶
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Services For Education @sfe-posts.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Join our team as a Brass Instrumental Teacher 💡 We are currently in need of enthusiastic and dedicated full or part-time Brass Teachers with strong experience in Whole Class teaching to join our vibrant music community 👉 buff.ly/yAOae08  #Hiring
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
Huge audience appreciation for Marriage Material at Birningham Rep this afternoon. Also learnt some new words courtesy of the chap next to me 🤣 Brilliant BSL interpretation as well
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
As members of @thecbso.bsky.social we are slightly unconvinced by this line! #choir #McCartney
Music that says "born in Liverpool, not Birmingham"
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
It's 30 degrees outside, so obviously have spent the day sweltering in our rehearsal hall learning this for our upcoming tour! Not often we get to sing some McCartney.
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Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on. slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Another fascinating post, trying to get at the heart of how you can actually make a difference while trying to run a country!
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Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Reading all the responses is an excellent way to start the day. Also, we have a winner: Whoever is running the passport office should clearly be knighted and put in charge of running the country.
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Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Wow! 😮 youtu.be/iO24SGs4B_k?...
youtu.be
Cynthia Erivo & Jools Holland - God Only Knows (Later... with Jools Holland)
YouTube video by BBC Music
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Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
🚨Just 2% of the population - under 800,000 people sustained the whole of England's blood supply over the past 12 months The NHS has put out an urgent call for 200,000 donors to come forward Book an appointment or register today ❤️🙏👇 blood.co.uk
blood.co.uk
Home
Register to be a blood donor, give blood and save lives. Find out more about blood donation.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Hello Elgar, my old friend... Starting rehearsals for next season! #Choir
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Spent the day with Eimar Noone and the CBSO performing music from epic video games. Hugely appreciative audience, including plenty of people who had never seen a live orchestra before, just fabulous to see them there.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
New post just out: "What would a Reform government be like?" It's time to take the prospect seriously + stop treating them like mere insurgents against the establishment. It's giving them a free pass to attack without ever having to defend. (£/ free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
open.substack.com
What would a Reform government be like?
This may seem like a premature question.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
New post just out: Today we have a guest post from Ilan Gur, the CEO of the UK's new Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA). "Three technologies that can change the world" (Free to read) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
open.substack.com
Three technologies that can change the world
And how the UK can take the lead
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Special Bluesky offer just for today. Sign up for an annual subscription and I'll send you a signed copy of my book "Failed State". Just DM me your address after signing up.
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Eluned Mansell @e-sings.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
In suddenly pretending to be an alto... Composers, just no. Not in choral music. Top D is unacceptable. Otherwise, super fun music!
Stave of music featuring some very high notes!
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Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
A Brief History of Men Today Are Too Feminine and Women Too Masculine 🧵
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