In year 3 we were taught the basics of recorder
Mr Scutts was our music teacher
Grumpy and unapproachable
But also a talented musician and
The composer of our school song
Trees and birds
And fields of green…
He later died of cancer 
Was he grumpy because he was in pain? 

I enjoyed the recorder so much
I must’ve asked for one at some point
Because I had one
(Even though I was teased endlessly for it) 
And a kid’s book from which I taught myself to read music
I can still almost picture the page that taught the G above middle C
It had blue on it

A girl the year above me played piano in a school assembly
I felt jealous because she had access to a secret world I wasn’t allowed to be a part of
I wished for years to have a “proper instrument”

And then in high school
I joined the beginner band
And picked the flute even though the bassoon seemed interesting
A flute was the lightest instrument to carry on the bus
And didn’t require reeds
Which would cost more
And require replacing on a regular basis

But the ability to read music was a gift
Being a part of the school choir
And Sydney Schools Singers
Going to State Music Camp
​Playing the flute and passing exams 
Singing in the Olympics and
Schools Spec
Moving to London and
Going to drama school for musical theatre
Moving to New York and
Singing with MasterVoices
Teaching voice
It has all bought me so much joy and
So many friends

And every single time
I read music
I feel joy that I can