WFH: DAY 59. 7.00 am: I awoke to the sound of the rain on the Velux’s window pane, and was thankful. In a different age, communities prayed for rain in times of want as they did for a successful harvest. Likewise, they petitioned God to bring down the wicked, unwise, and oppressive ruler and establish righteousness in the land while, at the same time, agitating, protesting, voting, and making representation through the systems of parliamentary democracy. These activities weren’t considered mutually exclusive.

9.00 am: I’m on a TweetFast for the remainder of the month. The constant rainfall of news updates, vitriol, and bile proved too great a distraction and challenge to my blood pressure. (In the background: Philip Glass’ The Civil Wars (1984).) A day for writing-up feedback on yesterday’s assessment reviews with Dr Forster. As ever, the best students were those who worked hardest and had the greatest imagination. Without either one or both you’re stuffed.

In recognition of the recent killing by police of George Floyd, I posted a link to my composition ‘That One Day’, from The Biblical Record (2019) CD. I couldn’t have known how relevant the composition would become so soon after it was released. After lunch, I took a Choral Evensong fix, courtesy of the BBC Radio archive. On, then, with the reports. This feedback is the last they ever receive from me as undergraduates. I can only conclude, rather than mull-over strategies for future development. Some of them will go on to postgraduate study and others, to occupations unrelated to art. In one sense, it really doesn’t matter; inner necessity will decide. The important thing is that they find out what’s the best use of their time during this short life. The right vocation, like a treasured friendship or fruitful relationship ought to draw out the best in you, spur you on to betterment, be congruent with your convictions and values, and fill you full of ardour, determination, and anticipation.

4.30 pm: Walking. Signs of the times:

7.30 pm: Though the flesh resisted, I continued with the feedback reports.