News
January 2025
October Sketches Published
“October Sketches” was written in 2022, as a way of creating inspiration to write. A fellow poet on Instagram, who was suffering “writer’s block” asked everyone to join her in writing for “Inktober”, to help spark creativity. I decided to join in, to lend her my support, and to help overcome my own writer’s block. For me, it had to be piano music, as that is where I was struggling, so I set out to write a piano miniature for every day of October. Being me, I decided to write a poem as well, and also a piece of artwork, along with photography, and so “October Sketches” was born.
Each day I recorded the piece I had written, and put it, along with the poem, photos and artwork, on Instagram and also made into films for Youtube, which I posted each day of the month. However, Social Media is not tangible, so I decided to make it into a book… it is dedicated to my Mum and Dad, who gave me so much support, with my composing, art, poetry writing and photography.
Listen on Youtube to the pieces as they were recorded moments after being written… (selection here, but they can all be found on my channel).
Click here for more information and details of how to order a copy.
October 2024
CHEESY WHISKERS LEARNS TO PLAY THE HARP – video and music
The Youtube video is launched! The music score available.
Ideal for introducing children to the magical world of the harp… (or for adults who will enjoy a chuckle!)
Many months of work, writing the music, and illustrating…It was fun working with harpist Danielle Kuntz, working out how best to create a cat mewing sound on the harp, or a mouse landing on its bottom!
After I completed it, Danielle recorded the music, and I put together with my illustrations, and brought the mischievous little fellow to life!
July 2024
"OPENING THE DOOR TO IMPROVISATION" – WEBINAR FOR EPTA UK
Webinar on Improvisation given for EPTAUK. Members of EPTA can watch the video “Opening The Door To Improvisation” on EPTA’s website, under “Past Webinars”.
July / August 2024
26 PIECES FOR FLUTE for charity
This set of twenty six piece for flute, either as a solo instrument, or in duet with other instruments has been written as a “fundraiser” for #26forsoph campaign.
I had a wonderful opportunity to play alongside, and subsequently write two pieces for, a talented Royal Marine horn player. It was in 2024, that I learned that her close friend, also a Marine musician, had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease: shockingly aged just 26. I saw that funds were being raised, and I wanted to help. All the fundraising efforts were being centred around the number 26, she age Sophie was when she was diagnosed. Marine friends were climbing mountains, walking miles, but I decided that I had to do something, so decided to write 26 miniatures, each of exactly 26 bars, for flute, one of Sophie’s instruments, as solo or in combination with other instruments as duets. There are also solos for other members of the flute family: piccolo, as well as alto flute.
I hope that these pieces may be useful for flautists, allowing them the enjoyment playing duets alongside other instrumentalists who may be friends, or in a concert setting.
March 2024
“POETRY TO UPLIFT” PUBLISHED
February 2023
October Sketches
October Sketches for orchestra…the story behind the piece….
In October, I took up the writing challenge from a friend on Instagram, to write every day thought the month, as for varying reasons, we were both experiencing writers’ block. For her, poetry, for me, piano music written at the piano.
I decided to write a piano miniature every day of the month, and also a poem…then decided to do a piece of art work too! Every day of the month, I wrote, painted and drew at some point in each day, producing over ninety creations in art, poetry and music. It was fun!
Each of these was combined to make into a post for instagram, and also a video for Youtube. (Evenings were busy!) Watch and listen to one of the October Sketches piano videos here, (where you will also find the others, on my Youtube channel, under the heading October Sketches.
I have now orchestrated all thirty one, with narration of each poem as an introduction to each piece.
February 2023
"ON THE LIGHTER SIDE" POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED!
A book to make you chuckle! All the little annoyances of everyday life in poetry!
It’s often only our sense of humour, that sees us through the seemingly ever increasing amount of frustration that comes into our lives. Many of these humorous poems have been borne out of just such situations; others have simply been inspired looking at things in a “rather upside down” kind of way! This collection takes a fun look at subjects such as clutter, DIY, shopping, teaching, holidays in the rain… and even finds amusement in: “you are in a queue, your call is important to us”!
I hope that this little collection brings a smile to your face too! Writing them has certainly rescued me from many-an-annoyance!
A little book to lighten your day!
Available from Amazon
Autumn 2022
"BEES" POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED FOR CHARITY
A book for the bees…all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Bumblebee conservation trust.
Click here for more details and to order.
August 2022
"LOCKDOWN" POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED!
“Lockdown”. My poetry written during the time of the two Lockdowns. I did not set out intentionally to write poetry during this time, but found myself writing on many, many days, about each day: thoughts, delights and discoveries, the help of nature, some humour, and the desperate situation that the word found itself in. I think that these thoughts, of one person in millions, will be shared by many.
Available from Amazon
Proceeds to Covidaidcharity.org
March 2022
POETRY BOOK PUBLISHED!
Thrilled to announce my first publication.
This is a collection of my poetry inspired by nature, illustrated throughout with my nature photographs. Dedicated to my Mum.
Out now.
Available from Amazon and bookrepository.com
Get a preview of some of the poems and photos, along with some of my piano music, with myYoutube videos, in the playlist “inspiration from nature”.
September 2021
ALBUM RELEASE !!!!
SECOND ALBUM OF PIANO MUSIC NOW RELEASED ON SPOTIFY “Inspiration from Nature”. Also on Amazon Music and Apple iTunes and all other main streaming services.
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM – “Winter” sixth in series
This concert was given to a local group from “The Women’s Centre,” as well as friends and provided much needed comfort in the run up to a lockdown Christmas. The programme included poetry and music about the winter season, concluding with reflective poems and some of my Christmas choral and vocal pieces arranged for piano. Afterwards, there was time for us all to chat with a cup of tea or coffee. It was a lovely occasion, and I must admit, I felt as if I was performing live, in a little candlelit tiny concert hall.
“Thank you …. Thank you so much for organising! Beautiful playing :)”
“Dear Suzanne, Thank you SO much for that – what a blessing to me it was, and to the other ladies there too, I am sure.….A lovely concert, so evocative, a time of calm in what is at the moment a very stressful time, for everyone…?”
“Thank you SO much for your time, creativity and kindness. Thank you for a wonderful Winter concert. Thank you for sharing your music with us. It was just magical and I can’t tell you how grateful we are. It certainly helped to spread that Christmas cheer but also offered a quiet moment for reflection and calmness.”
Giving these concerts was very enjoyable, as it gave me a chance to do a concert for an individual family, (or small group as in the case of the “Winter” concert), so I can choose music and poetry I think they will enjoy. Programmes were sent by email to make it feel as near a concert experience as it could be. I hope to continue to do these, as all concert halls seem likely to remain closed for some time and maybe even after they re-open, as it provides a much needed service for those who cannot get to a live concert. The concerts have all been with “no shared screens” so individuals feel comfortable, and unlike recorded concerts, or those with greater numbers viewing, individuals can communicate and chat with me making it both personal, and an antidote to loneliness.
November 2020
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM – “Autumn” – fifth in series
Poetry and music of Autumn.
July 2020
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM – “Summer” – fourth in series
A concert of light Summer music and poetry for the season….
June 2020
MUSIC NOW ON YOUTUBE …
Here you can watch videos of my piano music and poetry set to my photographs of nature, as well as concerts and improvisations. Search for Suzannemunro.
31st May 2020
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM – “Rainbows of Light” – third in series
Another concert featuring a mixture of my poetry and music. The poems and pieces for this concert were chosen for their peaceful and hopeful nature, and included a new improvisation on the human response to our situation, which was based on a painting by a pupil.
17th May 2020
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM – “Pacem” – second in series…
Where once again I performed a mixture of my poetry and music on-line. The poems and pieces for this concert were chosen for their peace, much needed at this time. This concert was performed on two separate occasions in May.
April 16th and May 26th 2020
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM – “TRANQUILITY AND FOR FRIENDS” – FIRST IN SERIES
First in the series of “Concerts from my Music Room,” to give a little cheer to people’s lives.… “Tranquility and For Friends” was given as two concerts in May.
CONCERTS FROM THE MUSIC ROOM
All available on Youtube.
15th March 2020
CONCERT IN AID OF CHARITY
In March, we JUST managed to squeeze in the concert of my music and poetry, with two friends – mezzo Nicky Archer and Julian Barber (pianist) before lockdown, although I was prepared to cancel it on the spot if it became too many in numbers to be safe. Due to the circumstances, we had a small, but very appreciative audience, and we managed to raise £112.00 for dementia UK.
POETRY NOW AVAILABLE ON INSTAGRAM!
I have now started to post my poetry on Instagram.
1st March 2020
LATEST CHARITY CONCERT GIVEN BY MY PUPILS
On 1st March 2020, my piano pupils gave another charity concert – this time in aid of the World Wildlife Fund, to support their work in helping animals injured in the bush fires and restoring their habitat – WE RAISED £112.00!! All the children and young people thoroughly enjoyed it – I wrote quite a few duets for the beginners and all were successfully performed. It was a really joyous occasion, and “musical great fun” – age ranges: four years – seventeen. Ability: a handful of lessons to ten years of playing. Wonderful! There were new compositions from the pupils too – from those aged seven years to fifteen years, plus a live improvisation.
January 2020
MUSIC MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Look out for my magazine article published in first quarterly issue of Piano Professional” EPTA UK’s (European Piano Teachers’ Association UK) music magazine, sharing all the creativity we do in the lessons.
December 2019
ALBUM RELEASE !!!!
FIRST ALBUM OF PIANO MUSIC NOW RELEASED ON SPOTIFY also on Amazon Music and Apple iTunes !!!
October 2019
MUSICAL WALK
In October, myself and some of my pupils and their families went on a “musical autumn walk”. to get musical inspiration. Little did we know what it would inspire. On the walk I picked up an acorn, and asked how a piece of music would begin…“a single note” came back the reply. We heard a distant train hoot, wondered if the note was an “A” and the piece had begun. I decided we could ALL join in, not just those on the walk… A pupil came up with a theme in his lesson on Monday, and then followed on a flood of creative ideas each week, from themes and story lines to ideas for orchestration. Each week, I orchestrated those ideas… and on 14th March 2020, Nugget was finally completed.
We had hoped to go back this Spring to the spot where we found Nugget, but meantime, until we can all venture out once more, we can hear his story… I have a brightly coloured music score on my laptop – every one who contributed has been allocated a colour, to show their themes and ideas… a wonderful musical journey for all of us… and I wish others joy in listening too. “Nugget” is available to watch on Youtube, so we can share our creation of this delightful orchestrated narrated story (suitable for children.)
Summer 2019
PUPILS’ COMPOSITIONS RECORDED
“Through the Seasons” – composition project of 33 piano pieces and poems by my pupils, (with one or two from me too!) recorded over the Summer.
These pieces are now made into a beautiful nature video with photographs and are available on Youtube “Through the Seasons.”
July 2019
CHARITY IMPROVISATION FOR PAPYRUS CHARITY
(for prevention of teenage suicide)
In July, I undertook, and completed a four hour continuous piano play (one loo break!) playing my piano music and improvising, in our local church. Anyone was welcome to come and listen. TOTAL RAISED – £225.00 One of the improvisations (and another piece improvised before hand at home,) were written down directly from the recorded improvisations, Two Improvisations for Papyrus are available to purchase from this site. ALL MONEY from the sale of theses pieces will be donated directly to the charity.
Papyrus – a few details about the work of the charity
“We exist to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide and equipping young people and their communities wit the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.”
Papyrus provides confidential support to young people struggling with the thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person the through their HopelineUK
The charity also engages with communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects, and deliver training programmes to individuals and groups, including councils, healthcare professionals and school staff.