Emma Butterworth Music
@emmabmusic.bsky.social
Film & documentary composer | cellist | BAFTA Connect | 'Orchard Street: The Opera' | Bristol-based
Pinned
I'm so excited to announce the publication of my report, 'The Unheard Symphony: How Composer Mothers are Fighting to Reshape the Music Industry', commissioned by the #IvorsAcademyTrust.
Read the full report here: drive.google.com/file/d/1q3SH...
#UnheardSymphony
1/4
Read the full report here: drive.google.com/file/d/1q3SH...
#UnheardSymphony
1/4
I remember a friend, born and raised in Texas but married to a Brit, remarking on how he still found it funny (even after living here for decades) how you would always be offered a cuppa when visiting someone. If you're not, it's basically code for "please leave immediately".
Watching a British police procedural, and they are making tea all the damned time.
The cops go to a witness or suspect's house, and they don't even wait for it being offered, they ask the person to make them a cup of tea.
Is this normal behavior in England? I just don't pop over and demand coffee.
The cops go to a witness or suspect's house, and they don't even wait for it being offered, they ask the person to make them a cup of tea.
Is this normal behavior in England? I just don't pop over and demand coffee.
December 9, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I remember a friend, born and raised in Texas but married to a Brit, remarking on how he still found it funny (even after living here for decades) how you would always be offered a cuppa when visiting someone. If you're not, it's basically code for "please leave immediately".
This is really interesting. I've seen some arts funding orgs start to do this (Sound & Music for some of their funds). It takes a little getting used to the idea, but I think I like it. It's basically a lottery anyway, so at least this way it's a bit of a fairer one.
'Introducing a lottery before peer review in the research funding application process can boost women’s chance of success by almost a quarter, a new study has found, with its authors saying that the approach can also reduce costs and make applying for funding less labour-intensive.' 1/2
Adding lottery to funding process ‘improves women’s success rates’
Lottery-first approach can increase applications and success rate of ‘structurally disadvantaged’ researchers, study finds
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:22 AM
This is really interesting. I've seen some arts funding orgs start to do this (Sound & Music for some of their funds). It takes a little getting used to the idea, but I think I like it. It's basically a lottery anyway, so at least this way it's a bit of a fairer one.
I bet they'd still charge you the same, though (says the bitter vegetarian).
December 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I bet they'd still charge you the same, though (says the bitter vegetarian).
And this is what Christmas is all about.
![Title panel:
The Art of Christmas Party Conversation - by ANGEL.
[Scene is a SILENT, STARRY HILLSIDE in Biblical times. Three shepherds are having a quiet chat as their sheep calmly chew the grass. This scene repeats unchanged apart from the gentle movements of the Shepherds chatting, for several panels. Then suddenly a MASSIVE, CHEESY, WHITE-TOOTHED ANGEL appears above them saying "HELLLOOOO"]
ANGEL:
HELLLOOOO
SHEPHERS:
ARGH
ANGEL [Talking 'to camera]:
Christmas is such a social time - here's some top tips for making sparkling conversation!
1.
Use body language to convey approachability.
[The giant angel, hovering in the air, cheerfully flaps his massive wings at the terrified shepherds]
FLAP FLAP FLAP
2.
Start with a gentle icebreaker to put people at ease
[The giant angel looms over the terrified shepherds bellowing]:
DO NOT BE AFRAAAAAID
3.
Avoid 'Angelsplaining': Always introduce topics of conversation by asking interested, open questions.
[The Angel shoves his massive, cheery face into the terrified Shepherds' personal space and bellows]:
SEEN ANY GOOD BABIES LATELY?
4.
If there's a lull in the conversation, try summoning the Company of the Heavenly Host.
[The bAngel summons thousands more angels, filling the sky with sublime, terrifying fire as they all sing]:
GLOOOOORY TO GOD
[The Heavenly Host all disappear. There is an awkward silent pause, the Shepherds now cowering on the floor, quietly weeping.]
ANGEL:
So do you like sheep?
SHEPHERDS:
*sob*
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibqzm7jkc6u6kb3mdcitos5rst5ruhivic7f6r4v4e73j53qjh6jm@jpeg)
December 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
And this is what Christmas is all about.
Finished watching All Of Us Strangers and so much crying - on and off screen. My god, you go through the wringer with that one. Incredible film.
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Finished watching All Of Us Strangers and so much crying - on and off screen. My god, you go through the wringer with that one. Incredible film.
I'd like to recommend it to my parents, but there are also a lot of very steamy sex scenes 😅
Finally watching All Of Us Strangers (which is excellent) but it's kind of strange because the home scenes are all shot one street away from my childhood home.
December 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I'd like to recommend it to my parents, but there are also a lot of very steamy sex scenes 😅
Finally watching All Of Us Strangers (which is excellent) but it's kind of strange because the home scenes are all shot one street away from my childhood home.
December 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Finally watching All Of Us Strangers (which is excellent) but it's kind of strange because the home scenes are all shot one street away from my childhood home.
Making mincemeat with 5yo, but guess which one of us managed to grate their thumb rather than the lemon? 😅
December 6, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Making mincemeat with 5yo, but guess which one of us managed to grate their thumb rather than the lemon? 😅
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
I’ve sometimes fallen into the trap of thinking that complementing a creative person for their work is less sophisticated or desired than discussion or debate about it but very often the best thing you can say to them is hell yeah and that doesn’t make you dumb it just makes you nice
December 4, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I’ve sometimes fallen into the trap of thinking that complementing a creative person for their work is less sophisticated or desired than discussion or debate about it but very often the best thing you can say to them is hell yeah and that doesn’t make you dumb it just makes you nice
A horrible example of a previously inclusive organisation changing their policies after being threatened with expensive legal action by whom? With money from where?
With so much abuse from cis men still covered up , with so much misogyny rife , with anti trans activists starting to turn towards abortion rights - well done to all the bigots who decided relentless abuse of trans kids was the solution #translives
December 3, 2025 at 11:44 AM
A horrible example of a previously inclusive organisation changing their policies after being threatened with expensive legal action by whom? With money from where?
As well as composing and performing, I also teach some amazing young people the cello. If you're in Bristol this afternoon, do pop along to our free concert @ @stgeorgesbris.bsky.social to hear some of Vivaldi's Double Cello Concerto in Gm, 'Why Fum'th in Fight' by Tallis, Purcell's Rondo and more!
December 3, 2025 at 11:20 AM
As well as composing and performing, I also teach some amazing young people the cello. If you're in Bristol this afternoon, do pop along to our free concert @ @stgeorgesbris.bsky.social to hear some of Vivaldi's Double Cello Concerto in Gm, 'Why Fum'th in Fight' by Tallis, Purcell's Rondo and more!
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
4. You see, the problem is this: History Reclaimed don’t know much about British colonialism. They’re not actually interested in it. They are a private company funded to prevent any truthful examination of the past that might challenge a right wing, white-centred version of the national story.
December 3, 2025 at 8:06 AM
4. You see, the problem is this: History Reclaimed don’t know much about British colonialism. They’re not actually interested in it. They are a private company funded to prevent any truthful examination of the past that might challenge a right wing, white-centred version of the national story.
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
All opera plot summaries are like "Kunfre, driven to madness by the treachery of Zarnfig, flees her wedding to Bogaro and resolves to throw herself into the sea, before being stopped by an unnamed and irrelevant countertenor" and all ballet plot summaries are like "somewhere, a princess exists"
December 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
All opera plot summaries are like "Kunfre, driven to madness by the treachery of Zarnfig, flees her wedding to Bogaro and resolves to throw herself into the sea, before being stopped by an unnamed and irrelevant countertenor" and all ballet plot summaries are like "somewhere, a princess exists"
Just tried this out and there was a Robert Butterworth who was an archer at Agincourt! Jackpot 😁
A blast from my past - the Medieval Soldier database takes nearly 300,000 military service records from 1369-1453 and makes them available as a searchable database.
An invaluable resource for understanding medieval warfare, society and the English medieval state. Learn more in the link. 🗃️
An invaluable resource for understanding medieval warfare, society and the English medieval state. Learn more in the link. 🗃️
We built a database of 290,000 English medieval soldiers – here’s what it reveals
We created the database in order to challenge assumptions about the lack of professionalism of everyday soldiers.
theconversation.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Just tried this out and there was a Robert Butterworth who was an archer at Agincourt! Jackpot 😁
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
Our @BigGive #ChristmasChallenge is now live! In this 3-minute video, our brilliant participants explain why we need your support more than ever. Help us change lives by donating at donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
December 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Our @BigGive #ChristmasChallenge is now live! In this 3-minute video, our brilliant participants explain why we need your support more than ever. Help us change lives by donating at donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Ahhhh, just submitted another application for something. I deserve a biscuit.
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Ahhhh, just submitted another application for something. I deserve a biscuit.
Given past form I would not be at ALL surprised if this interviewee was entirely fictional.
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
November 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Given past form I would not be at ALL surprised if this interviewee was entirely fictional.
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
#Rewilding One of the cartoons in my new book 'Physics for Cats'. Available now in good bookshops an online nowwww.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
November 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
#Rewilding One of the cartoons in my new book 'Physics for Cats'. Available now in good bookshops an online nowwww.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
Finished watching Frankenstein last night, and am filled with a strong desire to rescore the scene near the end involving the monster and dynamite, just to see what it's like with a very different emotional tone.
November 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Finished watching Frankenstein last night, and am filled with a strong desire to rescore the scene near the end involving the monster and dynamite, just to see what it's like with a very different emotional tone.
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
Today’s “teenage mental health crisis” and social media panic are founded in nostalgic myths. Our best long-term surveys and statistics show Boomer and Xer teens were no happier or more “together” than teens are today
Today’s “teenage mental health crisis” and social media panic are founded in nostalgic myths
Our best long-term surveys and statistics show Boomer and Xer teens were no happier or more “together” than teens are today. Elders: cut out your boasting, and Gen Z: don't believe them!
mikemales.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Today’s “teenage mental health crisis” and social media panic are founded in nostalgic myths. Our best long-term surveys and statistics show Boomer and Xer teens were no happier or more “together” than teens are today
Started watching this week and it's great - very much recommended.
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
November 20, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Started watching this week and it's great - very much recommended.
Reposted by Emma Butterworth Music
Looking to speak with academics/experts specializing in video games studies specifically ideas around conquest, environmentalism, and land for a piece. Please repost this or give recs.
November 19, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Looking to speak with academics/experts specializing in video games studies specifically ideas around conquest, environmentalism, and land for a piece. Please repost this or give recs.
Recording cello tracks for Claire Batchelor's latest production music album and loving using my new bow. Cellos are so crazy resonant, though 😅
November 19, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Recording cello tracks for Claire Batchelor's latest production music album and loving using my new bow. Cellos are so crazy resonant, though 😅