Joseph Phibbs and Dominic Sandbrook bring to life Mrs T - The Iron Lady Sings; a first public showcase with Mezzo Soprano Lucy Schaufer in the title Role and Lucy Bradley directing

On the 12th June, in just three weeks, the first public showing of excerpts of Act 1, Mrs T will be at Kings Place, Hall 2, London. This is an exclusive chance to see an opera as it is being made.  There is also a chance to hear from the project composer, Joseph Phibbs, Librettist and The Rest is History Podcast host Dominic Sandbrook, Mezzo Soprano Lucy Schaufer in the title role and Director Lucy Bradley with the Q and A led by the wonderful Guardian Columnist Marina Hyde. There are only a few tickets left, and it's a one-off event not to be missed. I feel so proud to be supporting Joseph Phibbs on bringing this story to life, and the passionate team behind this project bringing it to life!

Tickets available HERE

Margaret Thatcher is regarded as the world’s most famous and divisive female politician, whose legacy is passionately debated to this day. This new work scrutinises the personality of a political icon: a “grocer’s daughter” who rose to become Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. Mrs T explores key events during Thatcher’s time in office, the Falklands War, the Cold War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the rise of patriotic nationalism that would eventually foster deep scepticism toward Europe, sowing the seeds of Brexit. In the tradition of Nixon in China, Mrs T has the potential to become a landmark work which enters the cultural conversation and endures. This is a story Britain has struggled to confront. 
Now is the moment to tell it, with the depth, artistry and seriousness it deserves.

Tickets available HERE

My YouTube Show & Podcast 'Whisky High Notes' is now Live!

After quite some years gathering the courage and tech, I have finally launched my show, Whisky High Notes YouTube channel/podcast. A new podcast that bridges the gap between two worlds of wonderful complexity: whisky and classical music. Hosted at the Soho Whisky Club in London, the series invites distinguished guests from across the classical music industry to muse on the depth, breadth, and craft of these two specialisms. First guest below is Sam McShane, Artistic Director at Kings Place

They choose the music, I choose the Whisky...  Sign Up Now!

Composers Nathan James Dearden and Piers Hellawell join Naomi Belshaw Consultancy

It is with immense pleasure that I announce the latest additions to Naomi Belshaw Consultancy, composers Piers Hellawell and Nathan James Dearden. Naomi Belshaw will be working with both on a long-term basis, looking at future commissions, performances and career strategy.

Piers Hellawell is one of the UK and Ireland's most distinguished composers, with a remarkable four-decade career built on major commissions from the world's leading orchestras, ensembles, and festivals

Nathan James Dearden stands out as a distinctive figure in classical music today, with his dual impact as both a composer of compelling, text-driven works for leading UK ensembles and a tireless advocate for the future of choral music, actively championing new voices and repertoire.

It's a privilege and an honour to have Piers and Nathan joining my composer roster, representing the extraordinary richness of contemporary composition—from established mastery to future-focused advocacy—and I am thrilled to be representing them alongside composers Dani Howard, Gabriel Jackson, Deborah Pritchard, Michael Zev Gordon, Joseph Phibbs, Anibal Vidal, Bernard Hughes and Michael Price.

2024 Catch up - Dani Howard at the Proms, The Triumph of Three Choirs Festival and The Cambridge Companion to Composition

In what has been such a busy year, I have not yet had time to write, but having celebrated such a wonderful new commission from Dani Howard for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and their NYO Inspire Musicians at the BBC Proms last weekend I felt compelled to write an update. 




What a magnificent evening of music and the brilliance of our next generation of musicians. I felt proud to be working in Classical Music in the UK at that moment.

You can still watch it here for the next 30 days





But in recent weeks, there has been so much else to celebrate. In another area of my work life, as Chair of the Three Choirs Festival, we were treated to the most extraordinary programme in Worcester this year, which garnered reviews you can only dream of!

 I will soon be writing my next whisky review on other pages on my website for some of the music and whisky I enjoyed during the festival week.




Lastly for budding composers out there I heartily recommend the wonderfully edited book by composer Toby Young. A fantastic guide to the vast array of methods and practices in composition with chapters from Howard Skempton, Kenneth Hesketh, Cheryl Francis-Hoad, Nico Muhly, Christian Mason, Raymond Yiu, Liza Lim, Eleanor Alberga and many more. A true companion to your compositional process with one chapter from me tackling a differet area for a composer but  equally as important: Beyond the notes: how to tell your story, and who needs to know. 

Do check it out Here

Bobbie-Jane Gardner Arranges and Orchestrates Alicia Keys 'If I Ain't Got You' for Netflix and Queen Charlotte

 Over the last couple of months, it has been an out-of-this-world experience for Bobbie-Jane Gardner to work with Alicia Keys on creating an orchestral version of 'If I Ain't Got You'. So exciting to see the Music Video come out yesterday, a celebration of women working in music, from the musicians to Bobbie as arranger, to conductor and music video director. What a wonderful way to celebrate the new Netflix Series Queen Charlotte, a Bridgerton Story

Find out more at Rolling Stone

Huge congrats to all those involved, including the inspiring work of my composer Bobbie-Jane Gardner!

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Dani Howard Signs to BirdSong Music Publishing


Composer Dani Howard and Birdsong Music Publishing (set up by HarrisonParrot) are excited to announce Dani signing a worldwide exclusive deal this week; in doing so she joins such names as Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Freya Waley-Cohen


 Dani Howard’s reputation as a composer, particularly in orchestral music has been growing fast in recent years, first coming to major public attention with her Royal Philharmonic Society Award-winning Trombone concerto in 2021. Read more about the announcement here at Classical Explorer.

Composer Dani Howard nominated for two South Bank Sky Arts Awards!

Hugely excited to announce today that composer Dani Howard has been nominated twice for the South Bank Sky Arts Awards – the first and only awards ceremony to celebrate every genre of the arts, including Dance, Theatre, Pop, TV Drama, Film, Classical Music, Literature, Opera, Comedy and Visual Art.

Dani is nominated in the classical category for her hugely successful trombone concerto performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and exceptional Tronmbonist Peter Moore.

Dani has also been nominated for the Times Breakthrough Award which shines a spotlight on up-and-coming talent in the British Arts; nominated alongside Dani are Gabrielle Creevy (TV Drama), Liz Kingsman (Comedy), Catriona Ward (Literature), Nardus Williams (Opera), Rachel Jones (Visual Art), Emily Suzuki (Dance), Samuel Creasey (Theatre), Emilia Jones (Film) and Wet Leg (Pop). Previous winners include playwright Samuel Bailey, actors Jessie Buckley and Tom Hiddleston, and musicians Nubya Garcia and Stormzy.




The awards are being held on Sunday 10 July, presented by Melvyn Bragg,  at The Savoy Hotel and will air on Wednesday 13 July at 10pm on Sky Arts, UK. 

Naomi Belshaw makes history to becomes the first Woman Chair of the Three Choirs Festival

The Three Choirs Festival has appointed Naomi Belshaw to the role of chair of Board of Directors. Naomi Belshaw will be the first woman chair in the festival’s history and will succeed Dr Timothy Brain OBE, who, during a significant tenure as Chair, has seen the professionalisation of the organisation and vital modernisation of The Three Choirs Festival. Thought to be the longest-standing classical music festival in the world, it celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2015!


Naomi steps up to the role of Chair as the festival announces a brand-new website, and with 3 weeks to go until priority booking opens for the Hereford 2022 festival. Full details of the festival’s exciting programme will be available online from 25 March onwards, but preview details of the evening Cathedral concert can be found here


Dr Alexis Paterson, Three Choirs Festival Chief Executive, said: ‘I’m looking forward to working with Naomi as we plan for some exciting and ambitious projects at Three Choirs over the coming years. Naomi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to a board and organisation optimistic about the future and committed to ensuring the festival’s long-term impact for local communities. I’m grateful to Timothy for his dedication to the festival during my time as CEO and before, particularly in helping to bring about the successful merger of the three separate Three Choirs charities into a single unified organisation.

Ludlow Gin - Make Ludlow Whisky - A Little More Dram - atic

I couldn't resist writing about this new whisky. It so closely brings together my love of music and whisky. With Ludlow Gin being so linked to the Three Choirs Festival and also the Philharmonia Orchestra. Let me say no more here, but do check out my whisky blog to learn more! 

Dani Howard Wins RPS Award for her Trombone Concerto

I am delighted to announce that Dani Howard has just received an RPS award for her Trombone Concerto performed by the star trombonist Peter Moore and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Domingo Hindoyan earlier in 2021. Reviewed by The Times at its premiere it was labelled 'An instant classic". It is an honour and a privilege to work with such a talented composer, Congratulations Dani !!!

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