Home again after four days of music making, listening and experiment at distil, somewhat exhausted. Supposedly I was a 'tutor' but as in any good teaching situation, I learnt at least as much as anyone else. I'd been warned that the group of eight participants might be a bit homogenous, as 'they're all trad musicians basically', but yesterday four duos played music of genuinely remarkable range and accomplishment, and all put together from scratch in bits of spare time from the previous 48 hours.

I didn't get my camera out till the last day, so all I have to show for four days of ear- and mind-expanding experiences in good company is this commemorative shot of myself with Donald Hay and Sarah-Jane Summers, celebrating the fact that we'd just played a piece of music where the rhythmic material had been determined by the random pattern of lightbulbs on the ceiling rail, and the structure by some staples and chewing gum stuck to a chair (see close-up).

ensemble, trying to look serious and arty

score

It didn't sound bad actually, but the piece they made without my interference was much better.

Talking of structures, the Orpheus-and-Eurydice-in-a-hall-of-mirrors that is this week's episode of Skins was written by my nephew Jamie Brittain. Go on, watch it when it's on Channel 4 on Thursday, you know you want to.