"In 2016 Lisa Tregale (then Head of Participation at BSO) said to me something along the lines of ‘the reason you're an associate of the BSO is that you are bombproof’. This has stuck with me. My first reaction to this was ‘damn right I am!’. And just to be clear, she was damn right, and I am. But the implications have stayed with me since then, churning around my head. What she meant was that I could go into any group, any age, any mix of people and create something meaningful with them using music as the catalyst. That’s quite a statement, and I am proud of it."

Get ready for some honesty!
In this episode Neil confronts some of the anxieties associated with being a 'Bombproof Musician', working as a freelancer and how you balance the anxieties with your authenticity. 
He discusses Music for Life with Wigmore Hall:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKBy50oAPbY&ab_channel=WigmoreHall
and how that led to leading the music and medicine project Music for a While with the BSO: https://www.ahsw.org.uk/projects/music-for-a-while/

Followed by a conversation with amazing music leader and facilitator and fellow BSO Associate Samantha Mason: https://www.samanthamason.co.uk/

Thankyou Sam!

Music Listing: 

Theme Music from The Leaves of the Trees. Composition by Neil Valentine, recorded live in Winchester Cathedral. 

Performers: 

Neil Valentine – Viola, electronics, composer 

With: Sophie Raven – Flute, Claire Yates – Viola, Jeremy Leverton – Electronics 

The Swan – recorded live at ABC Concerts in Winchester. Pippa Rans – Cello, Duncan Honeybourne - Piano 

SGT Peppers & The Apocalyptic Eliminator - Southampton Family Orchestra. Project led by Neil Valentine with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Southampton Music Hub. Recorded live in Turner Sims, Southampton. 

Day and Back – Last Light. Composed, performed, produced by Neil Valentine