This evening I was treated to a symphony of music…. from a mixture of sources and all for free… on the streets of Birmingham and within one of the finest concert halls in the world. It made me realise just how lucky we are to be living, working and enjoying this city of Birmingham.

I started this evening’s audibly enlightening evening on a walk from my office off Broad Street. The sun was shining and Broad street was already a buzz with Friday night revellers. As I made my way across Centenary square I suddenly felt I was on the promenades of Paris as the quaint and unmistakable sound of a solo accordion and male voice drifted across the evening air. The busker sat unassumingly on the wall of the bridge in to Paradise Forum- undoubtedly unaware of the valuable addition he was making to my evening and the symphonic noise of the city tonight.

Down the steps of Chamberlain square and music takes me to a different country and continent as two baritone saxophonist duet a fusion of Caribbean reggae with an American Jazz Blues vibe. The only thing to spoil this snapshot was the interfering street warden who tried to stop these musicians playing. Why any one would want to stop this I do not know, I wish there was more, it would be fabulous to see a different busker on every corner.

After attending to my dietary business on New Street (Dinner) I make my way back through Victoria square and past the Saxy duet, via Paradise Forum where the Accordion squeezes on and in to the ICC where I pick up my complimentary ticket – a perk of working in the same building as the CBSO and I take my seat in Symphony Hall, where the Orchestra are no where to be seen – hidden away in the pit. The musicians place on centre stage has been replaced by a large cinema screen.

The first instruments strike up and the first of two Charlie Chaplin films begin. A short film of 23 minutes ensues with music written by conductor for the evening Carl Davis. After the interval the main flick of the evening – The Circus, one of Chaplin’s funniest movies and a score penned by the comic genius himself.

The CBSO were on top form and the sell out audience lapped up every bowed minim and blown crotchet.

The formal part of the evenings musical journey over, I thought this was it for my symphonic walk for the night… but luck had it there was just one left in store. A solitary guitar and rugged, old singing voice resonated between the branches and buildings of New Street as I made my way to the train.

If only every evening was this diverse, what a culturally wealthy bunch of citizens we’d be… but then again, how many of us open our ears to the sounds around us and how many stick our heads down and disengage from the thick soup we live among.

Back in December I took up the role of Chair of the Citizenship committee for The Birmingham Civic Society. This is a really interesting thing to be a part of, with three main strands to the work. I am passionate about helping to develop good citizens from our young people and think it is one ofthemost important skills for people to develop. I have just written the following short article for the Birmingham Perspectives magazine, so thought I’d post it on here as a stream of my thoughts….

Article:

The Birmingham Civic Society’s Citizenship committee starts 2009 with a new team of volunteers at the helm, who aim to continue the successful work of the Next Generation Awards which have engaged with 1000s of secondary school pupils during the past few years and the School awards present six city schools annually for their work in community and environmental initiatives.

The committee are also developing a programme of support frame work for primary schools, looking at what good citizenship means and what type of things schools could be doing to develop their young people in to role models, through the work they already do in the classroom.

“The idea of good citizenship is important to The Civic Society and a very useful tool for any youngster to develop and understand,” explains Rob Langley, who chairs the committee of professionals.

“Birmingham is a bustling and vibrant city and for those of us who walk through its streets every day know how pleasant a place it can be. It is our responsibility now, as adults to safe guard the future of the city however, by encouraging young people – the next generation of Birmingham’s leaders, to develop the same sense of pride and ownership in their home.”

The Citizens hp committee would benefit further from professionals who could offer a small amount of time to help lead workshops in schools and to help administrate the awards system. Those interested in being more involved should contact Rob Langley in the first instance: rob@bcmg.org.uk

It seems some business people are not just fickle people but down right rude, ignorant and incapable.
A very good friend of mine has just today been made redundant… on New Years Eve – a very merry way to celebrate the dawn of a New Year.

I just hope that 2009 is a better year for all businesses.

Merry Christmas from Rob Langley

The past few days have been a whirlwind of meetings and gatherings, which were beginning to feel like a bit of a drain, especially the added work load that extra-curricular activities can bring, writing minutes, reading minutes, actioning points etc… but then when I had a chance to sit back, take a breath and evaluate what I am a part of it hits me…

Isn’t it exciting to be a part of something, to be involved, to give your opinion and to be the man (or woman) that says “Yes I can help with that.”
In the past couple of days alone, in addition to my day job marketing the fantastic offering from Birmingham Contemporary Music Group I have been privileged enough to be involved with the following:

- On Sunday afternoon and Monday evening I attended the Kenilworth Gang Show rehearsals, firstly on Sunday to help direct the performance number for a group of 6, 7 and 8 year olds and secondly on Monday was a band rehearsal, as I’m giving up my time and limit ability to play the drums in the show band.

- On Monday I met with a Birmingham Future member, who had shown interest in joining the Marketing Committee which I chair. Birmingham Future is a fantastic resource for young profesionals in the city and I’m really proud to be a part of it. Then yesterday I attended the Birmingham Future Leadership meeting, which is the steering group for the organisation.

- Yesterday, I finally got round to writing the minutes from a meeting a couple of weeks ago with the Birmingham Civic Society’s Education/Citizenship committee, another committee I chair. This committee over the new 12 months will be building on the previous success of the Next Generation awards for secondary schools, promoting positive citizenship amongst teenagers and developing new ideas for a primary school citizenship champion scheme among other things.

- This morning I had a meeting with a small group who have initiated and set up a truly exciting event as part of the Thrive Forum. The event we have organised is taking place on January 20 and aims to bring Charity representatives together with CSR representatives from organisations in Birmingham. The event is proving to be extremely popular and is already oversubscribed.

So when I step back and look at everything I am involved in, yes its tiring and a lot of work, but I am so glad, grateful and feel privileged to be a part of all of these, to be able to give something back to the communities in which I go about my daily life. And I guess I just thought as I was in a contemplative mood I would use my blog to reflect that mood.

On Friday I was fortunate enough to be invited to George Dixon International school in Birmingham as part of the Education Business Links – Mock Interview – sessions, where year 11 students have the opportunity to be interviewed by a professional from the city.
I remember, back in the day, when I was a year 11 student going through the same process, I remember finding it really useful, especially the feedback form, which became an integral part of my ‘record of achievement’ portfolio for the subsequent few years.

I was apprehensive of what to expect from the students at this school and how they would respond to me interviewing them. I’ve not had the best experience of secondary school students, having lasted in a job teaching the age group for just 3 weeks, albeit more than 3 years ago.
However, my apprehension soon evaporated as the first interviewee took his seat at my desk. It quickly dawned on me that it was them that were nervous and that I was in control of the situation.
As the interviews went on, I really began to enjoy myself. It was truly a pleasure to meet with these young people and to hear of their personal achievements, ambitions and the possibly naive optimism of how easy it would be for them to make it in the world.
I remember having the same unspoilt view of the world and my own single minded ambition of becoming a pop star… which clearly never happened.

However, by the end of my morning meeting these mature, professional and outgoing young people I felt energised and refreshed and felt that their ambition and positivity had rubbed off on me a little. It also made me realise, that through all of this current economic ‘crisis’ – in the future, I truly believe that the ’state of our nation’ is safe in the hands of young people like these.

If the year 11 pupils at George Dixon International are anything to go by, we can breath a sigh of relief and be confident in our future and theirs… however we should be sure not to sit, or let them sit on the laurels – motivation, direction, mentoring has to be a key factor in developing these minds and safeguarding them.

I just hope that next time Education Business Links asks for help from business professionals such as I, more people have a ’Yes’ attitude!

OK so the video is on its side rather than being the right way up – but I’m not technically minded enough to correct that… however I snapped this on my mobile last night while in Birmingham City Centre. The sight and sound filled me with warm christmassy feelings and I wanted to pass it on!!! Enjoy!

The Vic in Birmingham is situated next to the Alexandra Theatre  on John Bright Street/Station Street and was a place I used to frequent a lot back in the day when I worked as Assistant Manager at The Alex. Indeed the front of house and back stage staff frequented more than most and it was one of those places that was a bit grim, but you went because everyone was there and you’d have a good time…

However it has recently been taken over by new management – the owners of  Island Bar, situated just over the road and I’ve got to be honest the old place has got a completely new lease of life. The furniture has an interesting snake skin effect to the seats – although some of the not so nice carpets have remained. My favourite thing about the place though has to be the new original artwork painted on panels around the walls. Fantastically vivid images of Birmingham being attacked by monster aliens! I snapped a picture of one of my favourites here.

Anyway – a nice friendly pub, worth a visit. Service was average and the price not cheap, but not too over the top.

Last night I went to watch Why the Whales Came at The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham.

It was my first visit in to The Old Rep, which I am a little ashamed of actually. Having worked in Birmingham for some 3 + years, even working in the building next door but one to the theatre and never entering is a little shameful. They have recently had a scheme of refurbishment to the front of house areas particularly, with new toilet facilities etc and the whole place is stunning. It is a true hidden gem in Birmingham and I can’t believe that it is not talked about more in the city and held with as much regard as other venues. If anything, I think I would rather go and watch another show there than go to The Rep… there is certainly more personality and character at The Old Rep!

On to the show then – Why the Whales Came – is an adaptation for stage of the Michael Morpurgo book which is studied at key stage two in primary schools. The show is primarily aimed at school age children – probably in my opinion best for 7+ and the majority of shows in the 10 or so week run at The Old Rep are Monday – Friday daytime shows for school parties. However I saw the show on a Saturday evening, where the highly talented cast played to a half full auditorium of both families and small groups of adults. I sat alone…

I won’t say too much about the story of the show, as there are some things better left for you to discover as an audience member, but the set, lighting and costumes were very well produced. There was live music played throughout the performance by a very talented Cellist, who had a foot pedal on stage with her, which she used to record loops of her self playing, to the extent that in one section there seemed to be 6 cellists on stage, as she stacked the sound on top of itself.

As I previously eluded to, the cast were superb, six performers, all of whom gave emotional and believable performances, despite the difficult ‘Shetland Isles’ accents they all recreated eloquently.

It is very refreshing to see a theatre and a production company putting on a show at Christmas time that is not just for commercial gains. Thank goodness there is still some diversity in this city- and if Panto, Disney cheese or yet another production of Narnia is not on your Christmas list this year, make sure the Birmingham Stage Company’s production of Why the Whales Came is.

A 4 star rating from me – and be sure to take a hanky with you!