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Nigel M Taylor

@nigelmtaylor.bsky.social
1.1K followers 442 following 73 posts

40+ years in music education, now retired. Former school teacher, head of music service, music adviser, ofsted inspector, freelance consultant, conductor, charity trustee. Interests: music, education, languages, history, food, wine

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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Amazing to meet Paul Brennan, conductor of Bolton Youth Orchestra 1971-1979, for the first time in 45 years. He was an inspiration for me (and many others) as a young player. We talked a lot about the rehearsals and concerts in Bolton and in Paderborn. It was great to reminisce.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
40 years ago today, this happened.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
"Every primary school should become a "singing school” where music, drama, and visual arts are just as integral as literacy and numeracy, a new report suggests." www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
‘Singing should be as important as reading and maths in schools’
A new report has called for the Government to put creativity and the expressive arts ‘at the heart’ of the primary school curriculum
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Fascinating.... www.theguardian.com/music/2025/f...
theguardian.com
British Library acquires torn-out drafts of Edward Elgar masterpiece
Exclusive: sketches for Introduction and Allegro for Strings had been removed from sketchbook by composer in 1930
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
"...children enter classrooms with fewer and fewer of the skills needed to begin their formal education. The key culprit...screen time." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Children are starting school unable to sit up or hold a pencil – and I know the culprit | Kathryn Peckham
As an early years specialist, I’ve seen the drastic impact of screens replacing physical activity and face-to-face interaction, writes early childhood consultant Kathryn Peckham
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Heartbreaking 💔 news that Joseph Talbot died on Saturday aged 20. The most inspiring young man, he met his massive health challenges with bravery, fortitude and perseverance. His personality and smile lit up every room. I was privileged to know him. RIP J xx
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
6 years old "I'm one little boy and it started with one tub and one dream to save the planet, and now look how many we've got." What a star. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Netley boy saves thousands of sweet tubs from landfill
Teddy has collected the plastic confectionery tubs because he wants to help save the planet.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Happy Feast of the Epiphany to all that celebrate.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
🎶 On the Twelfth Day of Christmas.....🎶 Not many drummers to be seen or heard today, except perhaps for the one across the pond who consistently drums up bile and nonsense.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Finally put up my Christmas tree
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
I thought very carefully about how to express the drama of the aria, from the text, to the melody, harmony, tempo, the dynamics, and even where the harpsichord continuo should start. I was delighted with James' and the orchestra's performance. It's one of the best.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
"For behold, darkness shall cover the earth...." A dramatic and staggeringly portentous aria, from Handel's Messiah. Here's James Bundy with Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra, in a live performance, conducted by yours truly. soundcloud.com/nigel-t-6194...
soundcloud.com
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
From a live performance of Handel's Messiah, Lichfield Cathedral 26 March 2011 with Staffordshire County Chorus and Staffordshire Symphony Orchestra (James Bundy - Bass soloist)
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Fabulous lunch with Ian Duckworth, and Tim and Hilary Reynish. An immense treat!
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review for Paul McCartney at the Co-op Live. What an extraordinary musician, and still going strong. Very hard to believe he's 82. www.theguardian.com/music/2024/d...
theguardian.com
Paul McCartney review – extraordinarily sublime and humblingly beautiful
Stretching an almost three-hour set from the Quarrymen through to the ‘final Beatles single’ this is like an arena-sized Last Night at the Proms, with Beatlemania
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
You're right David. I started to learn German nearly three years ago, with a daily lesson and practice of at least one hour a day. It's amazing what can be achieved, even at our senior years! I'm far from fluent, but I can converse with some confidence with my German friends. So it is with music!
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Great to catch up with breweychris.bsky.social today. We exchanged tales of recent travel experiences, discussed our respective plans for 2025, and shared stories of our time as pupils at Hayward Grammar School, where we first met in 1969. How time has flown...
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
What a super story: “...I would say that it’s the most worthwhile task in life, to make music and do it well.” www.theguardian.com/music/2024/d...
theguardian.com
Man, 88, passes grade 8 piano with distinction, 67 years after taking grade 7
Ray Eveleigh says playing helps keep his brain active and wife and daughter encouraged him to go for grade 8
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Hector Berlioz was born on this day in 1803. What better way to toast his musical genius than listen to his "Symphonie Fantastique". Here's the 5th movement performed in 1976 by Orchestre National de France conducted by Leonard Bernstein. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cao6...
youtube.com
Berlioz: "Symphonie Fantastique" - 5th Mvt. - Leonard Bernstein
YouTube video by Roberto Mastrosimone
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
An amazing sound. How the organist and orchestra connected rhythmically is itself a minor miracle in such a swirling acoustic. But the recording engineer's work is an absolute triumph in such conditions.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
What an outrageously brilliant sound. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXOT...
youtube.com
Saint-Saens Organ Symphony #3 (Maestoso) at Notre Dame de Paris 2024 Olivier Latry & Gustavo Dudamel
YouTube video by MountedCornetV
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
For all you fellow piano enthusiasts, how long can the lowest C last on a Steinway grand piano? I was surprised by the answer, it's over a minute! www.youtube.com/watch?v=zox0...
youtube.com
How Long Can a Steinway Sing? 🎹 The Ultimate Sustain Test
YouTube video by Steinway Piano Gallery Oslo
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Tinnitus has returned. This time in a constant Ab. So annoying.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Duolingo progress report. It seems I'm doing ok!
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Roy Wood was a genius. So many good songs and tracks from ELO.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
I'd support this petition. First heard this in the students' union bar at university in 1978. Musical gloriousness!
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Delighted with my new bread machine and especially the book of recipes my son and his wife bought me. This one’s a “French Crusty” and it’s really quite delicious!
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Reposted by Nigel M Taylor
Andrew Griffiths @colla-voce.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
The firm doing refurb at the National Opera Studio today is On Brand.
Doors open to reveal a view of a vehicle with the logo of a company called 'Wagner Decor'
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
When an orchestra grabs the momentum of a piece and threatens to run away with it, sometimes all you can do as a conductor is to go with it, enjoy it, join in, and lead the biggest accelerando! Farandole, L’Arlésienne Suite No.2 by Bizet is such a piece. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDHo...
youtube.com
Birmingham Symphony Hall - concert HD - part.8
YouTube video by bogdan horoba
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Congratulations to Anna, a worthy winner of BBC Young Chorister of the Year. All three finalists were fantastic and heartfelt congratulations to them all. Anna sang with such musicality and maturity, it belied the title of "Junior". Brava! www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
bbc.co.uk
Songs of Praise - Young Chorister of the Year - Final
On the first Sunday of Advent, Aled Jones and the Rev Kate Bottley host the final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year, with judges Katherine Jenkins, Bob Chilcott and YolanDa Brown.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
My Funny Valentine Posted for no other reason than it's - a bloody good tune - a great arrangement - a super performance www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfnc...
youtube.com
My Funny Valentine (L. Hart / R. Rodgers) - Corus Brass Ensemble 1988
YouTube video by miketrumpet
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
Thank you! I think I may have caught a baking bug. We shall see.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
First attempt at baking bread. It looks shabby but tastes delicious.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Thanks to Dr Tim Reynish, J P Paynter came to Bolton in 1986 to work with BYCB. The most extraordinary rehearsal in the most extraordinary of times. /3
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Bolton Youth Concert Band @BoltonMusicCent performed it at the World conference in Kortijk in 1985, after which a man came forward and said "Congratulations on a fine performance". I said "Thank you. It's a great piece". He said "I know, I arranged it." John P Paynter! /2
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Tonight's listening: Four Scottish Dances, Arnold arr. John P Paynter. A wonderful piece and a superb arrangement. /1 www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HHN...
youtube.com
Arnold arr. Paynter - Four Scottish Dances
YouTube video by Mike Lebrias
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
And whilst I agree that "peer review and sharing of innovative practice" can play an important role in development of provision and practice, in the ongoing vacuum of agreement of what "quality" means they are likely to be much less impactful. /2
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Interesting article. It criticizes ACE for its monochrome view of music hub success being confined to output rather than outcomes, but it doesn't say anything about what "quality" (of experience) means. /1 www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk/content/opin...
musicteachermagazine.co.uk
How to assess music hubs - Music Teacher
How should the effectiveness of music hubs be assessed? Graeme Smith, the former chair of Music Mark and Head of Croydon Music and Arts (2000–24), argues for greater value to be placed on quality of e...
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
It's a great piece! I played the brilliant piano part for many a performance back in the day. I knew Joseph Horovitz (and in fact premiered his "Bacchus on Blue Ridge"). He was such a talented composer, and huge fun to work with. Captain Noah is one of his most creative pieces.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
This little guy, Henri, was born exactly 18 years before me. He perished aged only 6. Among millions of others in a terrible worldwide tragedy. Here am I thriving in my 69th year enjoying freedom and life. Think of Henri and the millions of his compatriots. @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Probably the most humorous card I’ve received today. Team Talbot’s 3rd child chose it. He’s in BIG trouble the next time I see them. 🤣
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Trester. A perfect digestive. A gift from my friends in Schleswig-Holstein. I first tasted it in Dresden when visiting there with them in September. A pomace brandy - similar to Italian grappa and French marc. It’s fab!
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Important work. I taught drama for a few years (as well as music) in a challenging high school, so understand the importance of it in helping young people address issues, and perspectives and feelings. Keep up the good work.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
t's an exquisite feeling to bathe in the love sent by family and friends around the world on my birthday today. I'm extremely lucky.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
A great article about a great musician and educator. "We need to be much more imaginative in connecting professional music with schools. It’s a profoundly wonderful world, and we need to make sure the door is open to every child." www.continuoconnect.com/features/pau...
continuoconnect.com
Feature | Paul McCreesh: Always an Educator | Continuo Connect
Paul McCreesh leads Gabrieli Roar’s Christmas tour, inspiring 4,000 young voices across England with vibrant Georgian music and a love for classical heritage
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
An early birthday celebration at Ocean Palace, Darwen. Fabulous company with excellent food and wine.
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Reposted by Nigel M Taylor
MusicStuart @musicstuart.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Is there someone out there with availability for a January start and who might be looking for a Music Education Leadership role on a fixed term 12 month position? The new post holder will work with me as part of the London West Music Hub. #MusicEducation. jobs.hillingdon.gov.uk/vacancies/25...
jobs.hillingdon.gov.uk
Head of Music Service | Hillingdon Council
View details and apply for this Head of Music Service vacancy in . Hillingdon Council is looking for a new Head of Music Service to oversee the delivery of music services across the area. This includ...
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
How lovely! And what a super visit on his birthday.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Happy 111th birthday to Benjamin Britten born #otd 1913. One of England's finest composers of the 20th century.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Happy St Cecilia's Day to all that celebrate Patron saint of music and musicians.
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Nigel M Taylor @nigelmtaylor.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
"You would think conductors have more cognitive reserve than you can shake a stick at – to conduct an orchestra involves complex tasks...All of that sounds good for one’s brain and soul, and, just possibly, for one’s life expectancy." www.theguardian.com/music/2024/n...
theguardian.com
More endurance than you can shake a stick at: does conducting keep you young?
The 97-year-old Herbert Blomstedt is in London today to conduct the Philharmonia. He is one of a very long line of maestros working well into old age
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