Singing William Byrd's Mass for Three Voices together with two highly intelligent musical amateurs last night I became aware of how much professional musicians miss because the notes are, for them, so easy. For these people, in contrast, every linear push and pull required effort and yielded insight.

In the light of this detailed attention the work took on added significance; every tonal motion conveyed meaning directly linked to the text.

This is why I treasure the work I do with amateurs.