Musicians’ Weekend

Chris Roe joins us in our final episode of series one to chat about his life as a film, television and advertising composer.  We also chat about what concerts we’ve been to and various things we’ve been up to as summer winds down (may include copious amounts of Mario Kart), as well as concluding with a rather juvenile weird gig.  Thank you for your support throughout our first series, and please stay tuned for series two!   Mentioned in this episode:   Chris Roe’s website with showreel and #Friday50: http://chrisroemusic.com/ https://www.facebook.com/chrisroemusic/   Bernstein’s On The Town at the BBC Proms: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bhj9g9   Spitfire documentary: http://www.spitfiredocumentary.com/   Pianist Yulianna Avdeeva’s concerts with The Hallé and CBSO: https://www.avdeevapiano.com/index.php/concerts-20.html   Warsaw International Festival of Contemporary Music: https://warsawtour.pl/events/61st-international-festival-of-contemporary-music-warsaw-autumn/   Prom 47 feat. Venables’ Venables Plays Bartok: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bf4kvq   Useful forums for film composers: https://shootingpeople.org https://www.mandy.com/jobs/uk/crew   MU Wikipedia edit-a-thon for Women Composers: https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Home/Events/2018/Sep/Wikipedia-Edit-a-Thon-to-Highlight-Women-Composers   Children of the Snowland screening: https://sl.fievent.com/e/children-of-the-snowland-screening-and-q-a/17753923   The Multi-Story Orchestra plays Schumann’s second symphony and Living Programme Notes: https://www.multi-story.org.uk/events/

Performing by memory, feeling the fear and doing it anyway, and sexy photos are all discussed in episode 9.  Imogen chats to our guest for this week, trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth, followed by a weird gig that leaves nothing to the imagination.   Mentioned in this episode: SWAP’RA: https://www.swap-ra.org/ Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers: http://www.susanjeffers.com/home/index.cfm https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feel-Fear-Anyway-Indecision-Confidence/dp/0091907071 Teodore Currentzis: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/move-over-simon-rattle-teodor-currentzis-is-the-maestro-everyones-talking-about-ccgswrtzv TenThing: https://youtu.be/1P3m9tAqRWA This American Life podcast on the feather thief: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/654/the-feather-heist Greek at the Arcola Theatre: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/greek-grimeborn/ Prom 47: https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/rxfhzc/by/date/2018/08/17

Rogue polo balls, sweltering heat and discriminatory work messages feature in our eighth episode.  Simone Willis is our special guest - she is a PhD researcher in musicians’ stress and wellbeing at Cardiff Metropolitan University and gives some useful tips and advice on how to manage performance anxiety and maintain musicians’ wellbeing. Finally, a rather comical weird gig set in Hyde Park precedes our personal recommendations for festivals to attend during the summer. BBC Proms catch-up and Extra episodes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/group/b007v097 Charles Castronovo saves La Boheme performance at the Royal Opera House https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/audience-member-steps-save-performance-la-boheme-royal-opera-house/ Simone’s Conversation Article: https://theconversation.com/how-musicians-and-athletes-could-learn-from-each-other-when-it-comes-to-coping-with-stress-90255 Orchestras Live: http://www.orchestraslive.org.uk Simone’s book recommendations on managing performance anxiety: The Confident Performer by David Roland The Inner Game of Music - Barry Green and Timothy Gallwey The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness - Gerald Klickstein Power Performance for Singers: Transcending the Barriers - Shirley Emmons and Alma Thomas. The Psychology of Music Performance Anxiety by Diana Kenny Waterperry Opera Festival: http://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/ Snape Maltings Proms: https://snapemaltings.co.uk/season/snape-proms/ Southwell Music Festival: http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/ Tete a Tete Opera Festival: https://www.tete-a-tete.org.uk/festival/opera-festival-2018/

Wimbledon, musicians’ weddings, and the word “klang” make for some worthy discussion in this episode. We also touch on the recent passing of the great British composer Oliver Knussen, and the start of this year’s BBC Proms.  Our special guest is the Director of Wigmore Hall and Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society, John Gilhooly. John became the youngest director of any of the world’s concert halls at the age of 32. We pick his brains on what it takes to be successful in arts administration and performance. And of course, we conclude with a weird gig of mistaken identity...how intriguing! (Photo credit: Kaupo Kikkas) Mentioned in this episode:   Oliver Knussen passing: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44764282 First night of the BBC Proms: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0b9zrlx/bbc-proms-2018-first-night-of-the-proms Wigmore Hall Under 35s £5 ticket scheme: https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/wigmore-series/under-35 Upcoming events: Jacob Collier Prom 19 July: https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e88qwh OperArt at V & A museum Friday Lates: https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/Bp2PWgaQ/an-evening-of-opera-seven-angels London Contemporary Orchestra late night prom 23 July: https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ebzcd4 Southbank Sinfonia events: https://www.southbanksinfonia.co.uk/events/

Love Island, Wimbledon, and never seeing your other half feature in this week’s episode.  We discuss the new music director of the RPO, a musical gift given to the New Zealand Prime Minister’s baby and a 103 year old pianist.  Our special guests this week are Simon Cox and Matt Knight from brass septet Septura. We conclude with some upcoming concerts and a rather fishy weird gig of the week story. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra appoints Vasily Petrenko as new music director: https://www.rpo.co.uk/about/news-press/80-news/299-vasily-petrenko-looks-forward-to-becoming-the-royal-philharmonic-orchestra-s-music-director Music and Sound Awards 2018: http://www.masawards.com/2018-finalists-composition 103 year old pianist: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-44660051/the-103-year-old-pianist   Upcoming events: Free opera at V&A museum (20th July): https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/Bp2PWgaQ/an-evening-of-opera-seven-angels Glyndebourne Returns Club: https://www.glyndebourne.com/tickets-and-whats-on/how-to-book/returns-club/ Glyndebourne Under 30s Scheme: https://www.glyndebourne.com/join-and-support-us/under-30s/ Septura brass septet concert (10th July): http://septura.org/events/kleptomania-in-london-4/ London Symphony Orchestra Soundhub Composers Showcase (14th July): https://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2018/07/14/805/-/lso-soundhub-showcase-phase-i.html

In this episode we discuss the hectic life of a freelancer with its highs and lows, as well as the latest classical music accolades, concert etiquette, and playing classical music to babies in utero.  Our special guest is Aaron Holloway-Nahum, a champion of new music and one of the founding members of the Riot Ensemble. As usual, we dip into another weird gig of the week, followed by some upcoming concerts to check out. Mentioned in this episode: Phil Venables CD: https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/products/8404445--philip-venables-below-the-belt Jonny Greenwood on the Adam Buxton Podcast: https://www.acast.com/adambuxton/ep.63b-jonnygreenwood Classic BRIT Awards: http://www.classicbrits.co.uk/news/classic-brit-awards-winners-2018/ Queen’s Birthday Honours: https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/queens-birthday-honours-2018/ Hell is an audience: https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/sandwiches-in-the-stalls-and-coughs-in-the-cinema-hell-is-an-audience-a3860126.html Unborn babies prefer classical music: https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/babies-prefer-mozart-in-womb/?sd CAVE: http://www.londonsinfonietta.org.uk/whats-on/cave Legally Blonde musical: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/legally-blonde/new-wimbledon-theatre/ Riot Ensemble Chest of Toys: http://riotensemble.com/discovery/ Riot Ensemble kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/riotens/speak-be-silent I Move London Relay: https://londonrelay.co.uk/

As usual, we chat about what we’ve seen and been up to in the last fortnight, as well as classical music news, including the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra’s response to hate-mail, GDPR, the new RPS instrumentalist prize, and how the volume of classical music may affect your eating choices.  Our guest this episode is baritone Roderick Williams, and we wrap things up with another weird gig submission. Mentioned in this episode: Hither Green chamber music series: https://www.facebook.com/HGChamberMusic/?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser Stone Brewing Berlin’s Facebook page: @StoneBrewingBerlin Imogen’s concerto: http://www.wimso.org.uk/next-concert-1/2018/6/19/an-american-in-paris Borough New Music: http://www.boroughnewmusic.co.uk/ Shortwave Nights (Bermondsey concert series): http://tunedin.london/shortwave.php Dolly Alderton Life Advice Podcast: https://podtail.com/podcast/grazia-life-advice/dolly-alderton/ Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra turn hate-mail into music: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/31/swedish-helsingborg-orchestra-turns-homophobic-hate-mail-music RPS Allianz Instrumentalist prize: https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/performers/instrumentalists/soloists/rps-allianz-instrumentalist-prize Food choices based on music volume: http://www.radionz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/audio/2018646994/how-quiet-classical-music-can-help-your-waistline Project Awesome (free fitness): http://www.projectawesomehq.com/ Roderick Williams' Schubert Cycle Project blog: http://rwschubertcycleproject.blogspot.com/ Sky piece for Jesus Christ (by Yoko Ono): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYXSXne1iOA Roddy’s RAF concert: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2018/event/raf-centenary-concert Georgian violinist fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/218780735567670/ YCAT speed dating: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ycat-sounding-board-industry-speed-dating-tickets-46194649440 The Other Side of the Sea - new solo opera by Héloïse Werner: http://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/the_other_side_of_the_sea  

In this episode we chat about what we’ve seen and done in the last fortnight, recent classical music news, including the RPS awards, BBC Young Musician of the Year, the Royal Wedding (including a bonus phone-in chat with Royal Harpist Anne Denholm)  and some surprising research involving sharks. Sharing her incredible experiences and words of wisdom this week is our special guest, bassoonist Amy Harman. And as always, we conclude with a stomach-turning weird gig of the week. Mentioned in this episode (in order): BBC Young Musician Podcast with Jess Gillam: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p062pf6x/episodes/downloads George Benjamin’s Lessons in Love and Violence: http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/lessons-in-love-and-violence-by-katie-mitchell RPS awards: https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/rps_today/news/rps-music-awards-winners-2018 BBC Young Musician of the year: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44103947 Chart-topping Sheku: http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/shostakovich-sheku-kanneh-mason-chart/ Sharks shun classical music: http://www.radionz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/audio/2018645334/study-reveals-sharks-not-hooked-on-classical-tunes KOFMA:  https://kofma.co.uk/events/ Rambert at Sadlers Wells: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2018/rambert-life-is-a-dream/ A Moderate Soprano play: https://www.themoderatesoprano.com

In this episode we chat about what we’ve been up to and seen over the last fortnight, and discuss recent classical music news, including the BBC's reporting of the MU’s “The Musician behind the moment” campaign, potential cuts to the East Sussex music service, the royal wedding, and the return of the classical Brits. Our special guest this week is freelance viola player Lisa Bucknell, where we chat about playing gigs for the Queen, freelancing in Australia vs the UK, strange wedding music requests and applying for visas to work in the UK. We also reveal this week’s weird gig of the week! Special thanks to composer Chris Roe for composing our jingle.   Related links (in the order mentioned): https://www.sjss.org.uk/events/septura-brass-septet-2   https://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2018/05/11/777/85/friday-lunchtime-concert.html   BBC radio 4's Soul Music https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008mj7p/episodes/downloads   Davina's concert http://hamptonpn.ning.com/events/2-kiwi-cellos-spring-concert News articles:   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43976334 http://slippedisc.com/2018/03/what-musicians-earn-in-german-orchestras/ East Sussex music service petition - https://democracy.eastsussex.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=500000014&RPID=0&HPID=0   More concerts:   https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/wigmore-series/under-35   http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/lessons-in-love-and-violence-by-katie-mitchell    

In our first episode we chat about our recent gigs, concerts we've seen and classical music news. We also interview our first very special guest: Naomi Lewis, who became the Chorus Manager of the Royal Opera House at the tender age of 27. We discuss the perception of chorus jobs, favourite operas and Placido Domingo. We also reveal our weirdest gigs... one of them may involve silent porn.  Special thanks to Chris Roe for composing our jingle. Mentioned in this podcast: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/opinion/classical-music-insecurity.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms Nautilus by Anna Meredith - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vajhs2wBeCU https://theviolinchannel.com/menuhin-international-violin-competition-junior-joint-1st-prize-winner-2018/ http://operawire.com/julie-fuchs-announces-withdrawal-from-die-zauberflote/ http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/lohengrin-by-david-alden