Ian Gardiner
@garedunord.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor of Music, Goldsmiths, University of London
Composer / Arranger / Orchestrator / Percussionist (lapsed)
iangardinermusic.com
Composer / Arranger / Orchestrator / Percussionist (lapsed)
iangardinermusic.com
Ah, LinkedIn's top job offer for me this morning, based on my profile and preferences, is 1st soprano with the BBC Singers. Well my sight-reading is not bad, but I only have a range of about a minor third
December 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Ah, LinkedIn's top job offer for me this morning, based on my profile and preferences, is 1st soprano with the BBC Singers. Well my sight-reading is not bad, but I only have a range of about a minor third
What a great cover design. I’ve never read this, but that’s certainly my approach to playing percussion
99) Basil Maine, organist, teacher of Ian and Peter Fleming, author and music critic (and critic of critics in his 1928 book Behold Those Daniels), narrator at the first performance of Morning Heroes in 1930, composer, and finally, priest. (11/19) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_M... #jawiki
December 14, 2025 at 11:14 AM
What a great cover design. I’ve never read this, but that’s certainly my approach to playing percussion
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Powerful piece by @drrachelclarke.com on the COVID inquiry. Those who say it’s easy to be wise in hindsight are being utterly disingenuous. Many of us spoke out at the time, and it’s in the public record.
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I’ll never forget the horror of the Covid wards | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Powerful piece by @drrachelclarke.com on the COVID inquiry. Those who say it’s easy to be wise in hindsight are being utterly disingenuous. Many of us spoke out at the time, and it’s in the public record.
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Newmarket MP Matt Hancock gave a £37bn Covid testing contract to Jockey Club director Dido Harding, who subcontracted it to Grand National sponsor Randox, employer of Tory MP Owen Paterson, whose late wife chaired Aintree racecourse. That's how the Tories handled the pandemic.
November 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Newmarket MP Matt Hancock gave a £37bn Covid testing contract to Jockey Club director Dido Harding, who subcontracted it to Grand National sponsor Randox, employer of Tory MP Owen Paterson, whose late wife chaired Aintree racecourse. That's how the Tories handled the pandemic.
In this article about James Blades (not Robin . . . nor Ruben) comes this sentence: ‘You will still find people of a certain age who very fondly remember as children attending a lecture by Blades.’ Still find? The one I attended was only 50 years ago chum. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
‘Two more broomsticks please!’ Was Robin Blades the greatest percussionist ever?
He played china mugs, bells, rattles and car horns for everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to Benjamin Britten – and once got Laurence Olivier to bang a broomstick. We go behind the scenes of a Radio 3 cel...
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
In this article about James Blades (not Robin . . . nor Ruben) comes this sentence: ‘You will still find people of a certain age who very fondly remember as children attending a lecture by Blades.’ Still find? The one I attended was only 50 years ago chum. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
86) Percussionist James Holland was principal percussionist at the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Boulez, performed with the London Sinfonietta from its start, and assisted Britten, Henze, Knussen, Stockhausen and others with their percussion problems (10/24) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H... #jawiki
November 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM
86) Percussionist James Holland was principal percussionist at the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Boulez, performed with the London Sinfonietta from its start, and assisted Britten, Henze, Knussen, Stockhausen and others with their percussion problems (10/24) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H... #jawiki
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Your occasional reminder, if you’re in the UK, that it is shaping up to be a hideous bird flu season, with many wildlife casualties (including resident birds, not just winter migrants), and, however soft your heart, it is a Really Bad Idea to handle sick or ‘injured’ birds or bring them inside.
November 14, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Your occasional reminder, if you’re in the UK, that it is shaping up to be a hideous bird flu season, with many wildlife casualties (including resident birds, not just winter migrants), and, however soft your heart, it is a Really Bad Idea to handle sick or ‘injured’ birds or bring them inside.
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Great day in celebration of Michael Gibbs’s honorary doctorate at Birmingham Conservatoire.
Friends, family, staff, students and lots of music inc. a terrific student big band at the Eastside Jazz Club.
Big thanks to Ed Puddick.
#doctorhonoriscausa #jazz #jazzcomposition #michaelgibbs #mikegibbs
Friends, family, staff, students and lots of music inc. a terrific student big band at the Eastside Jazz Club.
Big thanks to Ed Puddick.
#doctorhonoriscausa #jazz #jazzcomposition #michaelgibbs #mikegibbs
November 14, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Great day in celebration of Michael Gibbs’s honorary doctorate at Birmingham Conservatoire.
Friends, family, staff, students and lots of music inc. a terrific student big band at the Eastside Jazz Club.
Big thanks to Ed Puddick.
#doctorhonoriscausa #jazz #jazzcomposition #michaelgibbs #mikegibbs
Friends, family, staff, students and lots of music inc. a terrific student big band at the Eastside Jazz Club.
Big thanks to Ed Puddick.
#doctorhonoriscausa #jazz #jazzcomposition #michaelgibbs #mikegibbs
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
I find that the existing emojis don't cover the full range of emotions I need to express how I feel about some replies to my jokes. So I've decided to make my own.
November 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I find that the existing emojis don't cover the full range of emotions I need to express how I feel about some replies to my jokes. So I've decided to make my own.
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
November 14, 2025 at 9:13 AM
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Congratulations to the fabulous composer Mike Gibbs who today, aged 89, received an honorary degree from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. On display, delighted to see artefacts from his collaboration with Bill Forsyth on Housekeeping, plus the score of a tune that is very close to my heart.
November 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Congratulations to the fabulous composer Mike Gibbs who today, aged 89, received an honorary degree from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. On display, delighted to see artefacts from his collaboration with Bill Forsyth on Housekeeping, plus the score of a tune that is very close to my heart.
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
This resets everything we've done. Incredible!
November 9, 2025 at 10:46 AM
This resets everything we've done. Incredible!
The all-too-familiar strategy from University management to go after Music (plus something else in the humanities) for minimal savings but maximal cultural atrophy within their institution. Vandalism. Sign here: c.org/4JQPhgPkHr
November 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The all-too-familiar strategy from University management to go after Music (plus something else in the humanities) for minimal savings but maximal cultural atrophy within their institution. Vandalism. Sign here: c.org/4JQPhgPkHr
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Go well, John White (1936-2024)
November 1, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Go well, John White (1936-2024)
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
I should add that as a one time tuba (Eflat) player I had known about Symphony for Organ and Six Tubas, but of course I had never witnessed it - its only previous performance was just before my third birthday in 1965.
I felt so happy listening at last to it tonight - but the whole prog was genius.
I felt so happy listening at last to it tonight - but the whole prog was genius.
November 1, 2025 at 1:44 AM
I should add that as a one time tuba (Eflat) player I had known about Symphony for Organ and Six Tubas, but of course I had never witnessed it - its only previous performance was just before my third birthday in 1965.
I felt so happy listening at last to it tonight - but the whole prog was genius.
I felt so happy listening at last to it tonight - but the whole prog was genius.
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Tonight the best place to spend Halloween was at Music We'd Like To Hear: Symphonies of John White at St Mary at Hill.
The best evening for music I have had in a while and a great stage for the Return of George W. Welch.
A truly exciting programme for a wonderful evening. Thank you.
The best evening for music I have had in a while and a great stage for the Return of George W. Welch.
A truly exciting programme for a wonderful evening. Thank you.
November 1, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Tonight the best place to spend Halloween was at Music We'd Like To Hear: Symphonies of John White at St Mary at Hill.
The best evening for music I have had in a while and a great stage for the Return of George W. Welch.
A truly exciting programme for a wonderful evening. Thank you.
The best evening for music I have had in a while and a great stage for the Return of George W. Welch.
A truly exciting programme for a wonderful evening. Thank you.
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Ah, yes. Reform UK. "A movement built by real people." All smiling and clasping their hands in EXACTLY the same way.
I'd love to see the prompts that generated this.
<make them happier>
<make some of them young>
<make two of them - NO, don't want to upset Pochin - one of them black> ~AA
I'd love to see the prompts that generated this.
<make them happier>
<make some of them young>
<make two of them - NO, don't want to upset Pochin - one of them black> ~AA
October 27, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Ah, yes. Reform UK. "A movement built by real people." All smiling and clasping their hands in EXACTLY the same way.
I'd love to see the prompts that generated this.
<make them happier>
<make some of them young>
<make two of them - NO, don't want to upset Pochin - one of them black> ~AA
I'd love to see the prompts that generated this.
<make them happier>
<make some of them young>
<make two of them - NO, don't want to upset Pochin - one of them black> ~AA
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
confirmed now I guess www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Jack DeJohnette, versatile jazz drummer known for Miles Davis fusion recordings, dies aged 83
Drummer played on Bitches Brew and other landmark recordings, as well as making numerous albums as a bandleader
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
confirmed now I guess www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Once in a lifetime opportunity to hear John White's first six symphonies in one concert! After a 30 year hiatus the group George W Welch is resuscitated to play 3,4,5 & 6. Mixing 'barcarolles, boogie, bell-ringing and Dick Barton, Special Agent', each is an attempt to improve on its predecessor.
October 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Once in a lifetime opportunity to hear John White's first six symphonies in one concert! After a 30 year hiatus the group George W Welch is resuscitated to play 3,4,5 & 6. Mixing 'barcarolles, boogie, bell-ringing and Dick Barton, Special Agent', each is an attempt to improve on its predecessor.
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Jimmy Carter watched over 480 movies in the White House movie theater during his presidency, a lot of them all time bangers
(List here gizmodo.com/every-single...)
(List here gizmodo.com/every-single...)
October 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Jimmy Carter watched over 480 movies in the White House movie theater during his presidency, a lot of them all time bangers
(List here gizmodo.com/every-single...)
(List here gizmodo.com/every-single...)
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
Mark’s passion and precision is spot on. And so very vital. The WAC is a *stunning* resource. It must be allowed — empowered — to thrive. SHARE.
cstonline.net/defending-th...
cstonline.net/defending-th...
DEFENDING THE WAC: MARK LEWISOHN LOOKS AT WHY RENEWED APPRECIATION IS URGENTLY REQUIRED
I was asked to write an op-ed piece saying why I think the BBC’s Written Archives Centre (WAC) is a unique and brilliant resource, which I can do because it’s both – and why, therefore…
cstonline.net
October 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Mark’s passion and precision is spot on. And so very vital. The WAC is a *stunning* resource. It must be allowed — empowered — to thrive. SHARE.
cstonline.net/defending-th...
cstonline.net/defending-th...
Once in a lifetime opportunity to hear John White's first six symphonies in one concert! After a 30 year hiatus the group George W Welch is resuscitated to play 3,4,5 & 6. Mixing 'barcarolles, boogie, bell-ringing and Dick Barton, Special Agent', each is an attempt to improve on its predecessor.
October 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Once in a lifetime opportunity to hear John White's first six symphonies in one concert! After a 30 year hiatus the group George W Welch is resuscitated to play 3,4,5 & 6. Mixing 'barcarolles, boogie, bell-ringing and Dick Barton, Special Agent', each is an attempt to improve on its predecessor.
These are really fascinating. Keep them coming John!
I've now written over 230 original Wikipedia articles, mostly on music, some long, some short, some just sections of longer pieces. Mainly for my own benefit I plan over time to revisit each of them here, in alphabetical order, attempting to explain why I wrote them in the first place. #jawiki
October 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
These are really fascinating. Keep them coming John!
This is many years overdue. Not just ghostwriters but also, ahem, uncredited orchestrators and arrangers . . . ivorsacademy.com/news/end-gho...
End Ghostwriting: a call for fair credit in music for film, TV and games
The Ivors Academy launches new campaign to end ghostwriting and ensure every media composer is credited, better protected and paid fairly.
ivorsacademy.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This is many years overdue. Not just ghostwriters but also, ahem, uncredited orchestrators and arrangers . . . ivorsacademy.com/news/end-gho...
Reposted by Ian Gardiner
This is so exciting - and follows the example of many other countries that already have recognition of nature rights in their constitutions. It’s time to give Nature a voice in law! @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social
UK campaigners launch bill to give nature legal rights
Private member’s bill backed by Chris Packham and Natalie Bennett would impose a duty of care on government and business
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
This is so exciting - and follows the example of many other countries that already have recognition of nature rights in their constitutions. It’s time to give Nature a voice in law! @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social