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We welcome Bjorn Bantock, our guest conductor for our BSO May concert onto the podcast.

As a young musician, Bjorn followed his dream to be a cellist, studying across the world with renowned teachers, only to have a serious accident that meant he couldn't continue to play.

Determined to stay in the music profession, he tried other instruments, but it wasn't until he found conducting that he really started a new chapter.

In this episode, he talks about his journey from South Africa to the UK and talks about the upcoming concert programme on the May 24th, which includes a piece of music written by his great-grandfather, Granville Bantock, The Sea Reivers (or pirates), which is an atmospheric piece with a Celtic feel.

Tune in and don't forget to book your tickets for the upcoming BSO concert!

Events and booking tickets: www.bedfordsymphony.com

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Ian Smith, our guest conductor of Bedford Sinfonia, and Paul Harris, our clarinet soloist, join together in this special podcast where we talk about the May 3rd programme, Malcolm Arnold and music education - something that they are both passionate about.

Paul is well known to clarinet teachers and students alike as he is not only a performer, but also a composer of their key books for learning the clarinet, which he started composing whilst still studying music. Many young clarinettists are keen to come to meet him at the concert!

Tune in to hear more about him and the lovely concert focusing on music that is perfect for an English springtime!

Events and booking tickets: www.bedfordsymphony.com

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Carolyn Sampson is a soprano at the top of her game, both here in the UK but also internationally. This last year has seen her release her 100th album, called "But I like to sing!" However, that's not all! She's also been named Gramophone Artist of the Year, was awarded an OBE in the King's New Year's Honours List for her services to music and named Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music.

She is also from Bedford and came through the Bedfordshire Youth Music Service - and speaks often about the positive impact that it had on her as a young musician.

In this episode she speaks candidly about how those experiences mattered and how young musicians today continue to need local support.

Carolyn is singing at St Andrew's Church in Bedford in November 2025 in a special anniversary year concert for their Concert Series.

For more info about Carolyn: www.carolynsampson.com

Follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Events and booking tickets: www.bedfordsymphony.com

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