Claire's music: defying the odds

Well, I thought all hope was lost with the CNZ application for the AYO commission for New york. BUT, I decided to check the website one last time to see if the grants list had come out.

I was told last night by Antun (conductor) that he hadn't heard anything.

We got it! Everything we asked for. Even some money to pay Ryan

to edit my score given the huge time restraint! This is such good news, so for the next two months I will be living the life of a full time composer no holds barred.

Time is pretty short though, and I've turned down three offers of work already, which is a shame but it had to be done.

Trio is progressing, but I'm finding it difficult to find the right medium to record it on - paper is working for now, but I cant bear to put it into sibelius and ruin it by having playback, and rigid barlines etc.. I want to keep it loose and fresh as it is in black ink.. but my head plays back what I think I read, not what is actually there.

Anyway going to the 48hours film making final tonight. We are not in it, but will be interesting to see the standard this year. Last years was pretty amazing. Some professional film makers go hard core. Some shoot on real film even. (seems pointless as final hand in is on minidv!)

On the 20th of June I'll travel to Melbourne to visit my sister and check out some music stuff there, and also sydney for a few days. Then back to nz to finish off the AYO piece, and practise and get sorted for new york. Not long now!

Went to New Plymouth for a few days. My brother is over from UK so him and I had a good time getting COMPLETELY lost on the way home, took us 9 hours to drive what should have been 5. Missed my gig, had to organize another cellist from somewhere in the middle of a valley in the mud and rain, with one bar of reception... panic!

Very small country town. Invisible sign.

The nz army band visits new plymouth. This is my brother matthew.

The beautiful Len Lye 'wind wand' sculpture. The circle at the top sways about in the wind. It's 2metres in diameter to give you an idea of the scale.