Things Musicians Don't Talk About

After a performance we term as 'bad', it can be difficult to return to a sense of confidence in our playing. In this fourth mediation, Ruth Philips leads a meditation to disarm the inner critic and restore a sense of peace and acceptance in our performing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our aim as musicians is to communicate generously and freely to our audience but we rarely turn towards ourselves with the same degree of care. In this meditation, Ruth Philips leads a loving kindness practice, exploring how it might be to extend that kindness outwards towards our audience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This meditation aims to bring you closer to your instrument and aid in healing any sense of disconnect you may be feelingDiscover Ruth Philips *Ruth Philips and Lucy Russell are running a course 'Mindfulness for Musicians' at Benslow Music from 13-15 June. More information here*-------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9jgf-things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A meditation for musicians lead by cellist and mindfulness meditation teacher Ruth Philips for use to calm the mind around stage fright and performance anxiety. Discover Ruth Philips -------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9jgf-things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'On returning from America, I listened back to lots of my old recordings and discovered a paradox: I had no confidence but also thought I deserved more – thought I was better than I really was'. Hattie sits down to share reflections from her trip to America from health anxiety and Curtis, to self-love and deleting dating apps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we interview trumpet player Lucy Humphris about her journey through music college and the contemporary music scene. We speak about the institutional barriers Lucy and others face as a female brass player with a non-traditional career trajectory, sharing her experiences of feeling "othered" and misunderstood. From battling expectations of orchestral conformity to navigating the complex landscape of contemporary music, Lucy reveals the personal and professional struggles of forging her own path. She explores themes of identity, resilience, and the often unspoken challenges musicians face when their artistic vision doesn't align with traditional institutional norms. Lucy inspires us with her story, her dedication to artistic integrity, and the way she's found her place in the contemporary music world. Thank you Lucy!Check her out further:WebsiteYoutubeInstagramThings Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9jgf-things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eating disorders and intense practice obsession have a lot in common. How do we move from an 'all or nothing' mindset to something structured and regular? Becca shares the start to her return to exercise following healing from an eating disorder and Hattie shares the parallels to the toxic relationship she has to the cello and hours of practice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are statements made time and time again when you approach the topic of women in music: 'but historically music by men is just better', 'I'm sick of this wokeism in classical music' and 'people won't buy tickets to concerts of just women's music'. CN Lester and Gillian Moore join us live at the Royal Society of Musicians to unpack these statements and uncover the truth to performance, programming and pessimism around classical women composers.Things Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Katy EhrlichMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 years ago trombonist Emily White lost her husband after a prolonged period of illness. She was thrown into the worlds of death admin and loneliness, but out of it discovered a perspective on what was important as a musician. She shares with Hattie and Becca an insight into her grief journey, as well as her infectious joy of teaching and hatred of the word 'should'. Emily also takes them through her interest in research about practice and performance optimisation and how much joy is able to impact us positively as musicians.Learn more about Emily here!Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Oscar GormleyMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is capitalism to blame for the mental health crisis? Should we separate the art from the artist? Rebecca and Hattie have been reading non-fiction. And they are sharing two of the books with each other. Naomi Klein's Doppelganger won the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction in 2024 and has had a strong impact since it hit the bookshelves. The pressure for us to 'perform' online is overwhelming, and Becca brings a musician's perspective to Klein's reflections. Then to what appeared to be anti-psychiatry in James Davies's book Sedated. He blames much of our negative mental health experiences on toxic work culture and the flawed nature of CBT. Medication may not have as much of an impact long term as we might like. Hattie has thoughts...Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Emma WernerMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Brierley came to the world of classical music via journalism and without any prior knowledge of the industry. Now, as Head of Membership and Communications at the Royal Society of Musicians, he spends every day hearing from musicians about the reality of their lives. He speaks with Hattie at the RSM headquarters about the origins of the 'Fund for Decay'd Musicians', his perspectives on the industry as an 'outsider' and how he's developed a love for it. They also discuss marketing and communications for musicians, how to be heard and the impact of membership at the RSM.Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie ButterworthEditor: Oscar GormleyMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Becca's turn to sit down for a solo check in with the help of some listener questions. The grief journey continues, as does the freelancing, and Becca reflects on emotional regulation, balancing her various jobs, and processing the death of an abuser.Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Rebecca ToalEditors: Rebecca Toal and @mehrose786Music: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hattie sits down for a late night chat about everything on her mind this Christmas. New Year's resolutions, jealousy, musician guilt, ambition and the illusion of festivity are chaotically unpacked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We asked Linton Stephens to come and speak about authenticity for our first live show at the Royal Society of Musicians. A musician and broadcaster who has been naturally unapologetic about his identity in all corners of his career, living authentically is just part of Linton's everyday. But classical music's fragility means that this type of openness can be hard to find. We discuss Linton's early life, campaigning for women's music, the power of mentioning his boyfriend on the radio, the importance of representation and his views on tokenism. We also open questions up to the audience who come forward with some fantastic questions for Linton.Thank you to RSM for their ongoing support and stay tuned for details of our next live talk.Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor & music: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in February we talked with the legend, Jalayne Mitchell. It was such a special episode that we had to keep it brewing for many, many months. Jalayne has since taken a break from Classical Wellness but her message is still so vital and timely.We talk about starting an instrument 'late' and playing catch up, starting a bold project outside the norm, the paralysis of performance anxiety and culture of silence at music college, amongst other things that just aren't cute at all.Thank you Jalayne, not just for the work you've done but also for setting an example of reevaluating priorities and taking time out. Big respect.Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.-------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast-------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Oscar GormleyMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: death; brief mention of disordered eatingWhat happens when someone dies? How do you talk to someone who's lost a parent? What's wrong with the word 'talent'? Do you take on work that makes you uncomfortable? Why are we so scared of Freshers Week? We answer all these questions with absolute authority this week on Things Musicians Don't Talk About!Grab a cuppa, walk the dog/child, endure the commute, or simply rawdog this episode. We have a chinwag, a catchup and put the world to rights as per usual.Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The start of an unedited series of podcasts.TW: mental illnessHattie shares the story of her 2017 nervous breakdown and reads a blog she wrote about it back in August. She also answers questions about breakdowns and whether she worries about them returning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When cellist Matthew Barley was 16 he tried to take his own life following a drug-induced psychotic episode. He then went on to channel everything into music until in 2019 the trauma of the event resurfaced.We speak to Matthew about his experience of psychosis, looking back on his experiences and the process of trauma therapy and the impact of ayahuasca. He takes us through writing music for his new album based on the events and discusses the way the classical music world views mental health conditionsmatthewbarley.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Katy EhrlichMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was a big one for Things Musicians Don't Talk About: our first live show!!!! We are so grateful to the London Podcast Festival for inviting us to take the stage with the exceptional Ayanna Witter-Johnson.Hattie and Becca talked a little bit about the conception of the podcast and their own mental health journeys, and then chatted with Ayanna about her background and career in music. Ayanna talks brilliantly about the intricacies of making her own unique career despite not fitting into a traditional classical music pathway, and elaborates on feeling like an outsider, failures and rejections, and her process of making art from trauma and experiences of colourism.We end with our usual Wins of the Week and take some truly excellent questions from the audience, and were truly blown away by all our fans that came to watch the show! Massive thanks to the Kings Place & London Podcast Festival team who made the day an absolute joy and really supported our audience to have the best experience possible.Follow Ayanna on Instagram X Facebook and her website------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast (Instagram Facebook)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich & Ayanna Witter-Johnson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with our first interview after the summer! The brilliant Laure Chan speaks with Hattie and Becca about her cross-cultural, genre-bending creative endeavours and her journey to musical authenticity.How did Laure get into composing whilst already being an established violinist? How does she explore her own identity through the medium of music? How did her shoulder injury affect her outlook on making music? Find out by listening to Things Musicians Don't Talk About.Follow Laure on Instagram TikTok Youtube Spotify or visit her website------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Host: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Emma WernerMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: eating disorders, weight (no specific numbers)A different format of episode this week! Becca reads out her latest blog on her body, her identity and her fears about the possibility of a life of ‘sizing-up'.She answers some questions afterwards about the blog, talking about the male gaze, the concept of numbers in recovery and the physicality of trumpet playing.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Host: Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reflecting on recent trips back to our former music schools and colleges, we chat about the complex emotions that arise when revisiting places of past trauma. We discuss the challenges of addressing mental health in educational settings, wondering if our message is relevant to current students, and the lasting impact of architecture and locations on our wellbeing. We also explore the nuances of loneliness, and share our personal journeys of making peace with specific London locations. Link to the book recommended by Becca: https://www.olivialaing.com/lonely-city------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When cellist Ruth Philips was 29 and studying in America, she left her room as she wanted it to be found after her death. So certain was she that the performance approaching her would be the end of her life.Now, Ruth is sought after for her whole, integrative approach as a cello teacher, mindfulness practitioner and performance coach. She speaks to us about her journey towards discovering mindfulness, reframing the word 'practice' and encouraging others to consider the violent language we frequently use as musicians and music teachers. We explore how kindness and self-love can be a difficult choice if a rigid practice routine has provided comfort, and consider how we can take steps towards a more whole perspective of practice within the music sector.Discover Ruth Philips here-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Hattie ButterworthMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We thought we'd celebrate hitting 3,000 Instagram followers as some sort of milestone in this crazy journey to cultivate much-needed honesty in the music industry! Every follower, every listener we connect with feels like a little headway in making change in the culture. In this episode, we take some time to look back on our podcast journey so far, reminiscing about how we became a duo and how TMDTA has grown over the past 4 years. Thanks to questions from our listeners, we also reflect on our personal experiences with mental health, music schools, and our hopes about what has changed since we were school pupils. We ponder on the challenges of giving and receiving feedback in musical workplaces, as well our continuing commitment to being transparent about our struggles and aiming to bring others' stories to light. Thanks for being here with us and here's to our ever-expanding community ❤️ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Things Musicians Don't Talk About, Becca sits down with Chloé van Soeterstède in her dressing room at the Royal College of Music. Chloé shares her personal experiences of working as a musician alongside pregnancy and then motherhood. She walks us through her journey - from figuring out with her manager when might be the best time to get pregnant, to performing while visibly pregnant and giving birth naturally with the aid of mental preparation. Chloé also opens up about challenges like pumping breastmilk between rehearsals on tour and traveling internationally with a newborn, and making sure to be honest about her capacities through such a huge life transformation. Becca and Chloé emphasise how rare and important it is for musicians to discuss the realities of pregnancy and parenthood, and Chloé's honest and candid story provides a much-needed glimpse into navigating this challenging but rewarding career stage.Follow Chloé on Instagram and witness more of her brilliant honesty!Check out her website and on X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We always love to hear from our listeners, and if you like the show why not recommend to a friend or leave a review?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Katy EhrlichMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another chatty episode for you lovely lot! This was recorded for our last Voices radio slot in February 2023. Hattie and Becca chat about queerness in classical music, exploring our opinions on the films Tár and Maestro, and how we feel power dynamics and hero-worship were portrayed in them. As we've seen over the past few decade or so, teacher-student relationships can be such a dangerous environment if those positions of authority are abused, and so we take a further look into what exactly it is about them that musicians don't talk about and why.We always love to hear from our listeners, and if you like the show why not recommend to a friend or leave a review?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we come to you (unintentionally) from the Royal Opera House! We speak with composer, theatre-maker, and journalist Zygmund de Somogyi about growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder, not fitting in to the classical music world, discovering the world of composing, their experiences of imposter syndrome and feeling disconnected from the world around them. Zyggy is now studying opera composition and discusses how they fell into opera and what it's like to work as an opera composer in the current climate. Thank you to Zyggy for their brilliant honesty and commitment to talk about the things musicians don't talk about.Follow Zyggy on:WebsiteEmail (enquires)Email (press)InstagramXYoutubeSoundcloudJoin us on Things Musicians Don't Talk About for more honest chats about life as musicians. We always love to hear from our listeners, and if you like the show why not recommend to a friend or leave a review?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-about------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalEditor: Patrick Emeribe Music: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: sexual assault we do discuss an experience of sexual assault/harassment about halfway through the episode so feel free to skip through / give this one a miss

A very Happy New Year from us at TMDTA! To kick off 2024, we have an episode recorded waaaaay back last year with the joyous James Partridge. We speak to him about his very unique career, bringing 'primary school bangers' to the masses and what life is like as a social media sensation. Why do these primary school hymns unlock 100% FEELS in us and what does James think about music education? Find out here on Things Musicians Don't Talk About.Follow James on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbpartridge/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridgeWebsite: https://www.jamesbpartridge.com/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow them on Instagram, X and Facebook.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutPlease ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Editor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On our Voices Radio slot this month, Becca interviewed DJ Jess Hands about her experiences with mental illness and how making music has been a healing distraction from her struggles. We hear her honest account of what it's like to go through mental health crises, bipolar disorder and to get to grips with simultaneously working as a DJ. Jessica's bio:"My name is Jessica Hands, DJ name Jess Hands, a lover for all things bass and wonky sounds. I have bi polar type 1 and BPD, I am here to share my experience to help myself but, also to let me people know its ok to be open and can really help, music has been so healing for me, but of course brings it's own worries, thank you for the space to share my story and if anyone wants to reach out for advice of course I'm happy to listen and help. ❤️"Jessica's instagram------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-about------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow the Royal Society of Musicians:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Rebecca Toal & @noumaneditsMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back! This week we speak with astounding trumpet soloist, Simon Höfele, taking a peek behind the scenes of his stunning international career to discuss the reality of it all. We chat about Simon's fortunate journey to becoming a soloist and how his ultimate love is for creating music (especially the contemporary kind), using the trumpet as a tool to achieve that. Simon also works part-time as a very cool hipster barista which he describes almost like 'paid therapy' - a form of distraction and space away from the trumpet to keep him grounded. Stay tuned to find out the piece of music he ranks 'The Most Disgusting' too.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!Follow the Royal Society of Musicians:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusicians------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutWant to gift us a Kofi? Click here!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Editor: Federico (@mixinghacks)Music: Katy Ehrlich------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Things Musicians Don't Talk About on:InstagramXFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer Gavin Higgins found that music was the only thing calmed his severe facial tics as a young kid. After an assessment at the Maudsley Hospital, Gavin was diagnosed with Tourettes and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He was put on Prozac and told to snap a rubber band on his wrist to take away his intrusive thoughts.A lot has changed in the treatment of mental illnesses, but what's the reality behind living with two severe conditions as an award-winning composer? And why is Gavin so determined to raise awareness? Hattie and Gavin chat in this episode about OCD, Tourettes, generational OCD themes, trauma from writing an opera, the industry as it stands and how things need to change.Find Gavin's website hereAnd his Instagram------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-about------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow the Royal Society of Musicians:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Hattie ButterworthMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our first sneaky peaky Patreon preview! Welcome through this little creaky door in the paywall to hear 5 minutes of exclusive content that we recorded last Halloween!In this episode, Hattie, Katy and Becca scare the living daylights outta themselves by reading feedback ranging from grade 8 to graduate scheme rejections. We also have a little rant about assessing music as a subjective art form, and Hattie shares a story with us that we had to bleep out because it was too gross. If you fancy accessing the *whole* episode and much more, head to https://www.patreon.com/tmdta!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!The Royal Society of Musicians is Britain's oldest music charity and our aims remain as relevant today as they were in the earliest years – to provide vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to those professionally active in the world of music but who are unable to work due to accident, illness, stress or anxiety. Being a charity run by musicians for musicians, we are uniquely placed to fully understand the challenges faced within the profession.Follow the Royal Society of Musicians on:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusicians------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcastEditor: Katy Ehrlich & Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is dedicated to Koshka's wonderful piano teacher, Niel Immelman, who sadly passed away since it was recorded - and who made it all possible.TW// sexual violence and assault, physical assault, police brutalityBecca first came across today's guest when she stumbled upon her collection of essays, Abolishing the Police. Philosophy professor, Koshka Duff (University of Nottingham), was largely inspired to compile this collection of essays on policing, dissent and abolition after her own traumatic experiences with the police. In 2013, when studying a Masters in piano performance at the Royal College of Music, Koshka was arrested after offering legal advice to a teenager undergoing a racist stop and search. She describes how the police assaulted her and left her with physical and psychological damage that continued to impact her life long after the event: she suspended her studies and had to confront the devastating possibility that she may never play the piano again. Koshka was able to return for her final recital a year after the event, and set out on a mission to heal by 'making and making up music' with her band, Stolen Goods, and via a pain management course through the NHS. The injuries left her with chronic pain that she still deals with, though more now as a "companion, rather than always an antagonist."Koshka's album featuring several tracks recorded at her final recitalCD liner notesThe Stolen Goods EP------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaFeeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-about------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow the Royal Society of Musicians:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Kaileigh EatonMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For TMDTA's July Voices Radio appearance, Hattie and Becca discuss Lewis Capaldi's Glastonbury set and how this might translate in the classical music world. They also chat about their experiences of saying no as employees and as freelancers, Hattie's new adventures on bass guitar and Becca's new therapist. In the original show, the first half of Paul Denegri's episode played after their discussion, but now you can go and listen to the whole thing wherever you're listening to this episode.Thank you as ever to Voices Radio for this platform, and thank you to you listeners for your ongoing support!The guardian article Becca loved: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/26/lewis-capaldis-glastonbury-set-disability-centre-stageClick here for the transcript------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!The Royal Society of Musicians is Britain's oldest music charity and our aims remain as relevant today as they were in the earliest years – to provide vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to those professionally active in the world of music but who are unable to work due to accident, illness, stress or anxiety. Being a charity run by musicians for musicians, we are uniquely placed to fully understand the challenges faced within the profession.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow the Royal Society of Musicians on:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our amazing friend, trumpeter Aaron Akugbo, is about to make his BBC Proms debut with the Chineke! Orchestra - but there's more to his story. Determined to be unapologetic about his identity, Aaron takes us through the weird world of brass 'lad' culture, through to the rise of Black Lives Matter and navigating the brass world as someone facing direct and indirect discrimination for being both black and gay.Discover Aaron on InstagramHis website is here------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now generously supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!The Royal Society of Musicians is Britain's oldest music charity and our aims remain as relevant today as they were in the earliest years – to provide vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to those professionally active in the world of music but who are unable to work due to accident, illness, stress or anxiety. Being a charity run by musicians for musicians, we are uniquely placed to fully understand the challenges faced within the profession.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow the Royal Society of Musicians on:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Katy EhrichMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becca catches up with her former teacher, Paul Denegri, from his stay in an old farmhouse. The humblest of the humble, Paul takes us through his journey to where he is now: revisiting his unexpected appointment as Head of Brass at Wells Cathedral School; his feelings of imposter syndrome and disillusionment with the freelance musician lifestyle; and staying true to his identity. Paul's trademark openness and warmth is so refreshing in the world of classical music and music education, where prestige and resilience is so often touted as the pinnacle of success. Thank you Paul for being the reason a lot of us from Wells fostered our passion for music and have ended up where we are now.Paul's website: paul denegriPaul on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pauldenegripandonltd/Paul's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauldenegri/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now generously supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!The Royal Society of Musicians is Britain's oldest music charity and our aims remain as relevant today as they were in the earliest years – to provide vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to those professionally active in the world of music but who are unable to work due to accident, illness, stress or anxiety. Being a charity run by musicians for musicians, we are uniquely placed to fully understand the challenges faced within the profession.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Support TMDTAWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow the Royal Society of Musicians on:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Things Musicians Don't Talk About is now generously supported by the Royal Society of Musicians!The Royal Society of Musicians is Britain's oldest music charity and our aims remain as relevant today as they were in the earliest years – to provide vital financial assistance, advice and guidance to those professionally active in the world of music but who are unable to work due to accident, illness, stress or anxiety. Being a charity run by musicians for musicians, we are uniquely placed to fully understand the challenges faced within the profession.Episode notes:(Episode recorded for our June Voices Radio show)Before we get to Stu's post-nap's epiphanies, Becca monologues on a recent Instagram Q&A and delves into 'soul-care', doing laptop stuff, missing my eating disorder and practising for a recital. Then we head to the garden to chat with Stu about all things musician. We discuss:getting back up after auditionsspinning the different freelancer platesthe hardest & easiest things about being a musicianbeing in a 'musician couple'what music & podcasts been listening toIf you've been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, head to our Resources page for further signposting and support.Support usWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcastFollow the Royal Society of Musicians on:Instagram: @rsmgbTwitter: @RSMusiciansFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalsocietyofmusiciansEditor: Rebecca ToalMusic: Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tw: Mentions of suicide and it's preventionIn a society opening up conversations around mental health, suicide is still severely stigmatised and misunderstood. Today we meet pianist Gosia Garska who volunteers at the Listening Place - a charity set up to hold space for people struggling with suicidal thoughts and ideation.We discuss common myths around suicide, as well as how the Listening Place supports those with ongoing struggles. We also hear from Gosia about how work at the Listening Place has changed her life, both as a musician and personally and entering a space of non-judgement when listening to those dealing with thoughts of ending their life.Thank you Gosia for sharing your experience with us

WE PASSED OUR VOICES RADIO TRIAL! Here's our most recent episode-show where we answer beautiful questions from our Insta followers (thanks you guys!). We chit-chat about our favourite and least favourite memories of TMDTA, Father Christmas and Wendy Christmas, a slightly different origin story of the podcast, the power of sharing our stories on social media, balancing pod commitments, Becca's wet cat and not treating the pod as a job. Thanks again to Voices Radio for giving us another platform to continue breaking down the barriers and talking about the things musicians don't talk about.If you've been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, head to our Resources page for further signposting and support.Support usWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcastEditor: Abbeydot - Audio Engineering for Women and LGBTQIA folksMusic: Katy EhrlichHosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca ToalPhotographer: Venetia Jollands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we speak with the inspiring Emily Ashton, baroque cellist, viola da gambist and climate activist. Emily is a founding member of XR Baroque, a group of early music environmentalists who perform at Extinction Rebellion protests. We discuss how we process the overwhelm and anxiety that come with thinking about climate change, the murkiness of being a freelance musician and staying true to your beliefs, and the tension between the need for systemic and individualistic change in environmental action.We are so grateful to Emily for talking with such eloquence and gravitas on one of the most important topics.XR Baroque's Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/375287633080945/Check out Extinction Rebellion's website to see how you can get involved: https://extinctionrebellion.ukSupport usWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcastEdited by and music composed by Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Hattie speaks with flautist Kathryn Williams, co-author of the Independent Society of Musicians's (ISM) Dignity at Work 2 study, which looked into the experiences of discrimination among those working in the music sector. They also speak about Kathryn's experiences as a single parent 11 years ago, navigating studying at the Royal Northern College of Music whilst being the sole carer for a 1-year-old.Follow Kathryn on Instagram: @kathrynwilliamsflutesDiscover the ISM hereParents in Performing Arts (PiPA) CampaignIf you've been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, head to our Resources page for further signposting and support.Support usWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcastEdited by Hattie ButterworthMusic by Katy Ehrlich Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Things Musicians Don't Talk About, Hattie and Becca chat from the cosiness of Hattie's new-ish house and perfect podcasting room. We have a candid conversation about the recent arts cuts and the precarity of freelancing, plus Becca's recent feelings of audition burnout, and how we've both experienced and dealt with (or not dealt with...) performance anxiety in the past.Join us as we break down the barriers and continue to talk about the things musicians don't talk about.(originally recorded for Voices Radio) If you've been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, head to our Resources page for further signposting and support.Support usWant to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon for £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdtaGot a few pennies to spare? Buy us a Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/thingsmusiciansdonttalkaboutFeeling extra generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/things-musicians-dont-talk-aboutFollow us on all the socials: @tmdtapodcastEdited by Rebecca ToalMusic by Katy EhrlichHosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca Toal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where do musicians go for support in a crisis? For many years Help Musicians UK has been the main source of advocacy, funding and research for musicians facing crises of health and finances in the UK.In response to the increase in need for mental health support post pandemic, last autumn Help Musicians launched its subsidiary charity, Music Minds Matter to focus in on the mental health provision for musicians.Today we speak to Head of the charity, Joe Hastings, about its launch, his own journey, the main patterns he is witnessing among musicians, supporting them in mental health challenges and the future goals of Music Minds Matter."Whatever you're going through right now, you can contact Music Minds Matter on 0808 802 8008"Find TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcastOur website is: www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comHelp us raise funds for the pod hereSupport us on Patreon for £3 a month and get access to extra episodes and content!Or buy us a KofiMusic and editing by Katy EhrlichRecorded at the Help Musicians offices, London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are coming with a fascinating episode with Ingela Onstad, who is a psychotherapist and performance coach, as well as a professional soprano.Both Rebecca and I have been interested in getting to know a musician who is also trained as a psychotherapist and were curious to understand how she deals with boundaries in her job. We explore all of this, asking for Ingela's insight into diversifying her musician life, becoming more than ‘just' a singer and helping people through a therapeutic lens.Fiind Ingela on Instagram @courageousartistryHer website is hereFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcastOur website is: www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comSupport us on Patreon for £3 a month and get access to extra episodes and content!Or buy us a KofiIt's over and out from us for the year, and wishing you all an incredibly soul-warming holiday and New Year!Love Becca, Katy and Hattie xx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***This episode deals covers topics including eating disorders, mental illness and the Holocaust. Kate talks about them incredibly respectfully and not in graphic details, but for listeners that would rather sit this one out, we understand***It's our last episode of 2022 and this time, we're speaking to the exceptional Dr. Kate Kennedy, broadcaster, academic, cellist and writer, who specialises in combining biography, words and music. She is also the Co-Director of the Oxford Centre for Life-writing and a research fellow at the University of Oxford.We talk to her from the crypt of St. Clement Danes (with somebody's wedding going on above our heads), discussing her own experiences in life and in music, and about her current work on her book, Cello, an autobiography of the instrument itself and its musicians. We were particularly interested in her biography of war poet and musician, Ivor Gurney, speaking about his own struggles with mental illness and confinement to an asylum in later life. (Dweller in Shadows: A Life of Ivor Gurney, Princeton Press, 2021)We're incredibly grateful to Kate for her eloquence and candidness about her own encounters with injury and struggles during her teenage years and early adulthood. It truly is a pleasure to listen to her, and interviewing her was such an enriching experience, and we cannot wait to read her future works.Follow Kate on TwitterKate's websiteFind TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcastOur website is: www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comSupport us on Patreon for £3 a month and get access to extra episodes and content!Or buy us a KofiIt's over and out from us for the year, and wishing you all an incredibly soul-warming holiday and New Year!Love Becca, Katy and Hattie xx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are coming from a North London living room with our wonderful friends from Three In A Bar Podcast. Verity Simmons (cello) and Seb Philpott (trumpet) join us for a 2-part series of collaborative podcasting and incredible company.We talk about how podcasting has altered their lives, who writes the emails, their careers and experiences as freelancers and the Three In A Bar podcast genesis from in the pit of Funny Girl the Musical. We also learn about their most traumatic performance memories, and take to Classic FM's quizzes to discover Seb's cross-genre knowledge and the age of Verity's soul.Keep your eyes peeled to the Three In A Bar podcast channel for part 2 out next week!Follow Three In A Bar on Instagram and Twitter @threeinabarVisit their website here!The episode was edited by Katy Ehrlich.Things Musicians Don't Talk About website: https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comSign up to our Patreon!TMDTA TwitterFacebookInstagramIf you would like to support our work, why not buy us a Kofi? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing our producer, the wonderful flautist Katy Ehrlich. We are so excited to introduce Katy to you all and for you to hear the journey of her incredible life, and role in the pod, through county youth orchestra to Manchester University and then to the Royal Academy of Music for masters. Katy's journey uncovers a lot of the difficulties with music college environments and we discuss how hard it can be to be honest about your personal life and limitations whilst studying.Katy also took us through the traumas of orchestra lists and the humiliation of not seeing your name. Her steps towards music editing for TV and film are so exciting and we loved learning more about her goals and insights into the sector. We also just have a hilarious chat! We can't begin to imagine how such an honest and beautiful soul came to be our producer and we are beyond grateful to Katy for all she does and is!Things Musicians Don't Talk About website: https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comSign up to our Patreon!TMDTA TwitterFacebookInstagramIf you would like to support our work, why not buy us a Kofi? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘It's easy to slip into a mode of being where you think your life is happening to you and you're stuck…you think you have to carry on xyz trajectory because that's how it's been for so long…' This week's guest is the soprano Betty Makharinsky who spoke to me (Hattie) during a day of rehearsals for the charity and organisation she co-founded, Vache Baroque Festival ✨Betty and I spoke about her difficulties with the music college system after leaving Oxford and how going too soon affected her development and confidence as a singer. She also speaks with so much wisdom about her love of teaching and the importance of the workshops run in schools by the Vache Baroque Festival. It was amazing to hear about Betty's excitement for her future as a singer and having the confidence to commit to exploring everything she can with her voice and opportunities it may bring. Her love for singing is so infectious and wise and I think Betty put her mindset best when she said ‘- More and more I think it's important to do everything in your life full-heartedly'Thank you Betty for bringing such honesty and inspiration

This episode we are sharing the space with BBC Radio 3 presenter and flautist, Hannah French. Recorded in a North London office space, we listened as Hannah explained to us her journey to a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a collagen deficiency which affects the soft tissue and has impacted her ability to walk, play the flute and live life as she once knew it. She took us through the reality of living with EDS, and the process of moving away from flute performance and into her current job as a presenter at BBC Radio 3. We talked about the power that radio now has in her life, creating a space to tell stories and shape a listeners' experience and the process of creating the amazing documentary for Radio 3, The Silence of My Pain in 2020.Thank you to Hannah for her honesty about her pain experience and for your wonderful presence and infectious humour!Hannah's documentary, The Silence of My Pain, will be played again this Friday, 9th September on BBC Radio 3 at 10pmWanna jump around? Timestamps:0:00: Intro2:25: Welcome to Hannah4:00 What is EDS?8:00: Discovering Hannah's EDS and playing the flute14:25: Moving into academia and research15:35: Accommodating people with disabilities in music19:00: Acceptance of disability and illness20:15: Pastoral welfare of students; working at the Royal Academy of Music as a lecturer and tutor23:30: Loss of identity as a flautist26:00: Moving into radio and working for the BBC28:18: The liberation of radio29:15: Does Hannah feel envious when presenting/watching performances?31:45: The psychological impact of pain36:30: Managing difficult emotions, anxiety and coping mechanisms39:00: Working with and not against pain41:50: Making the documentary, The Silence of My Pain45:30: The importance of silence in Hannah's life46:45: Fascination and flow53:22: Unapologetic visibility55:15: Starting conversations about pain and disability56:35: Removing shame and presenting an honest depiction of pain1:01:30: Wins of the week!Things Musicians Don't Talk About website: https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comSign up to our Patreon!TMDTA TwitterFacebookInstagramIf you would like to support our work, why not buy us a Kofi? Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on TMDTA, Becca and Hattie chat with Guy Withers, Artistic Director, founder and CEO of Waterperry Opera Festival, about this year's upcoming festival which will celebrate it's fifth anniversary with an innovative eight-day open-air collection of eight productions in Waterperry, Oxfordshire. As usual, Becca and Hattie want to know more about what's going on behind the shiny facade of such a successful festival and they chat with Guy about not only the festival's journey to fruition but also his personal experiences and how they have informed his current role. Guy shares with us the some of the trials and errors he's experienced whilst working at the festival and talks about them with such humility and such obvious passion for his work. Thank you Guy for your honesty and openness with us!Transcript for this episode“To celebrate our fifth anniversary as a festival, we have created an ambitious season of eight productions. Withreturning favourites, and exciting new ventures, our broad programme has something for everyone, with eachoffering as unique and thrilling as the next. We are taking artistic risks to create the exciting operatic experiencesthat will captivate the next generation of audiences as well as our loyal followers.Our focus this year as a company is creating new audiences for opera with inventive and accessible work, inspiringlocal young people with free tickets for those under 16, and developing emerging talent with our Young ArtistProgramme. We want to make sure there are no barriers to any young person enjoying or engaging with classicalmusic and opera.” - Guy Withers, Artistic Director & CEOWaterperry Opera Festival: https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.ukThings Musicians Don't Talk About website: https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.comTMDTA TwitterFacebookInstagramIf you would like to support our work, why not buy us a Kofi? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.