Trigger warning of sexual harassment In a world where the perception of classical musicians is one of not rocking the boat, following the rules and uniformity: the daring statement of using a political issue as the focus of a classical ensemble can feel like a completely radical idea. But is it? Art has been used throughout the centuries as a way to push back against the social injustices that continue to erode our world. Whether Ethel Smyth with her March of the Women or Sibelius and his unofficial anthem of Finnish independence , Finlandia, music has always reflected the issues of the times ..read more

We all have a dream project: something you've always dreamed of doing but self-doubt, worrying about what people will think, and a whole host of other self-sabotaging thought processes tell yourself you'll do it one day. Luckily at the Graduate Interviews, we find those people who told their personal Krakens to pipe down, letting them get on with the job in hand, whilst giving you the inside track on how you can navigate this tricky transition from student to professional. This week, I'm joined by Dutch-American violinist Maren Bosma. A creative and talented graduate who believes strongly in c ..read more

⭐⭐⭐⭐ With heartbreak, joy and passion dripping from every note, can the last three weeks mend this musical’s broken wings? This new musical, adapted from the 1912 biographical novel by Kahlil Gibran, Broken Wings is a story about love, loss and predetermined societal roles. Set in Beirut, it follows the journey of Gibran Kahlil Gibran as he returns to his homeland from the U.S. to study, reunite with old friends an ultimately fall in love. Walking into the theatre, the audience is split on either side of the stage, with the orchestra warming up on one of the two balconies. As the house lights ..read more

Arguably one of the biggest challenges facing students when they leave music college is how to keep the structure going. You graduate and then poof! Rent, bills, student loans, and just the pressures of what's expected hit - no wonder so many of us feel like fish out of water! The simple truth is that just because our course is over, it doesn't mean our development is. We still crave that space in our day to sit with our instrument and work. We need it, if we're to achieve the career goals we set ourselves. See a career for yourself and your chamber group and the challenge of conflicting diari ..read more

Every once in a while someone comes into your life with a story. A story that manages to obliterate all your feelings of doubt and the loneliness that comes with it, in the bright sunshine of shared experience; banishing every inner critic into silence and filling you with the hope and optimism that originally held your conviction. Today's guest was that someone for me in a time of great uncertainty. When planning the relaunch of the blog I wanted to get new headshots taken, shots where the cello wasn't at the forefront. A photographer kept appearing on my social media; it seemed suddenly, fro ..read more

As freelance musicians, we have the ability to shape and mould our career into the avenues that truly interest us. Variety is our spice of life and we're not afraid to tread paths less trodden. Many of us might even argue that our ability to imagine, create and expand beyond traditional thinking is ultimately what pays our bills. Even so, we all have that "one day dream". One day, I'll perform the Elgar Cello Concerto. One day, I'll start my own music school. One day, I'll throw my own chamber music festival? These "one day" dreams drive us, keep us striving ever upwards for that feeling that ..read more

There's no avoiding the elephant in the room. The news this month has made it increasingly hard to feel as celebratory as us rainbowed folk would like to. The news this weekend of Roe v Wade has left every woman across the western world questioning (yet again!) how much their own government values a woman's right to their own body! The conversation on Tuesday's BBC Radio 4's Today programme (1:50:46) discussing claims that the supreme court were planning to re-examine precedents from cases similar to Roe v Wade including those of contraception and same sex marriage, left me feeling physically ..read more

Our whole life can sometimes feel like one giant mark sheet. The most common thought after we finish our final recital is usually, 'I cannot wait to perform without a panel there to mark me.' But enter the profession and there's a corner of the audience marked out specially for the panel of the outside world... the music critics. As part of my degree and as part of music journalism in general, music reviews will make up quite a large part of my writing - does that now make me the bad guy? The fallout from the notorious journalist reducing classical music to clickbait has made the relationship ..read more

A feast of 'European Classics' and a UK premier composed by the soloist. The London Firebird Orchestra celebrate to their first performance to a full audience since the pandemic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Attending a London Firebird concert from the opposite side of the podium for only the second time last night, it felt strange to be sat their with paper and pen in hand and not my cello and bow. The hall was completely packed with what seemed to be London's biggest Yury Revich following. The programme began with Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin. Immediately the orchestra created a serene, relaxed atmosphere develop ..read more

You did it! You passed the audition and you've been given your first patch of work. The dates are in, you've printed of the rep but what happens next? At music college we focus on the audition which leaves the trial largely an enigma, making it daunting for those who finally get a chance. What are they expecting from you? Do you go up and say hello first? Which part do you practise? Inside or outside? If I bake treats will that help them like me? In the second part of this series, I'm joined by three of the top orchestral players from UK orchestras*, answering you questions about the mysteries ..read more