Your stories
Linton Stephens - a bassoonist building a multifaceted career in music over 15 years.
After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music, Linton has built further income streams and skills alongside performing with world- leading orchestras.
Through teaching, he learnt how to present content in an engaging way. This experience prepared Linton to meet an opportunity to present classical music on BBC Radio 3.
His resourceful approach to his career has also led him to develop diverse audiences for The Multi-Story Orchestra, whose performances in car parks have widened accessibility to classical music.
Louise Braithwaite - an oboe player with 15 years as a Community, Healthcare and Dementia music practitioner
Louise has seen the therapeutic benefits of music first hand. She has 15 years experience working in the community, alongside her performing and teaching commitments.
Her musical skills have enabled her to help those with profound communication challenges in schools, hospitals and care homes.
One example of her work is arranging and performing music from the 1930s for dementia patients in care homes. Patients who have not spoken for several months have been able to sing along to favourite songs from their youth.
Chris Cole - a trombone player with 34 years experience with world-renowned touring theatre shows
After a degree and postgraduate fellowship at Trinity College of Music, Chris has clocked up 34 years of experience as a touring theatre musician. He has performed in world-renowned shows such as Starlight Express, Pirates of Penzance and Sister act. Before Covid-19 hit, Chris was working 6 days a week and travelling 40,000 miles a year to work
Much like an elite athlete, trombone players at Chris’ level require daily mouth and lip strength building exercises plus mouth and hand co-ordination practice.
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