Page 160 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

of a chat, a bit of banter between pieces. I want to create a relaxed environment where people can
really enjoy the music. I don’t want people to feel like they’ve walked into an exam room! I usually
ask a mate in the audience to film recitals for me too because it’s helpful for me to look back at my
technique and reflect on my stage presence. I also use those videos to enter competitions.

But I’ve also been really happy to see clips and photos that people have posted of me. As a
musician you do need to publicise what you do if you want to be able to keep doing it. It can be
really helpful when the audience is helping to promote the concerts on social media.

As a percussionist, I think I’m probably quite interesting to watch. The majority of people
have no idea of what the percussion really is. They think of us as just a bass drum and a cymbal
lurking at the back of the orchestra. But it’s much more complex and interesting and at times very
exciting to watch. So when people film what I’m doing, share it online and tag me, they’re part of
educating the wider public about what percussionists do. Those clips can make people think: wow!
I want to go and try learning that myself now, or go and experience a concert like that.

In February I performed Robert Honstein’s really joyful, bombastic Juvenalia concerto [2019]
with the City of Birmingham’s Youth Symphony Orchestra and I loved all the notifications pinging
in afterwards from people telling me how much they’d enjoyed it. As long as phones aren’t flashing
or ringing while I’m performing then I’m more than happy to be filmed. Be considerate, have fun
and tell your friends!