First day teaching back at the Royal Northern College of Music in a new academic year. I played with Dave Hassell's group 'Apitos' a couple of days ago at the Freshers Ball. Exciting times for all these first year students! I've cut down on the teaching, I'll be in the RNCM five times a term, coaching quartets, presenting classes for the saxophone students, and giving tenor sax lessons. I've loved every minute of being associated with the RNCM since I arrived in Manchester in September 1985 - as a student, visiting guest, being commissioned to write charts for the big band, and for the last six or seven years teaching saxophone! The saxophone department goes from strength to strength ; Carl Raven and Julian Arguelles joining myself, Mike Hall, and Rob Buckland. Rob continues to do a fantastic job heading the department! The reduction in my teaching hours is a direct result of more writing commissions and focusing on playing projects. SaxAssault & 'Summer with Monica' are beginning to get a big promotional push, commissions are in the book up to August 2009, and for the first time in a long time I'm getting down to some proper sustained and consistent saxophone practice. Music is such a challenge, always so much to learn, I feel very fortunate to be a very small part of it.