Things Musicians Don't Talk About

We couldn't be more pleased to be releasing this interview with legendary journalist Jessica Duchen. Hosted in her beautiful home, we speak about her path into writing, how personal challenges have affected her outlook on life and journalism, and her decision to no longer be "muzzled". Her commitment to uncovering classical music's uncomfortable truths has resulted in some iconic articles, including her coverage of Ilan Volkov's 2025 Proms pro-Palestinian statement, the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra and El-Sistema, and sexism in classical music. A true TMDTA hero.

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Things Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca Toal
Editor: Emma Werner
Music: Katy Ehrlich
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was never going to be a fun episode to make. After some months of sitting on this decision, we are sharing with you the news that TMDTA will come to an end in June after six years of beautiful conversations. In this episode, Becca and I discuss the reasons why and look back over the six years. Thank you thank you for all your incredible love and support – we are so grateful for this community and always will be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What REALLY goes on in the world of ballet and specialist ballet schools? And how different is it to the world of classical music and what can we learn from ballet dancers as musicians?

Louise Bennett is a former ballet dancer and Artistic Director of the London Vocational Ballet School. She Hattie and Becca about the current climate within ballet, experience at the Royal Ballet School, as well as taking us through her struggles with injury and leaving the industry.

More about Louise: https://www.louisebennett.info/about

The London Vocational Ballet School

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Things Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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Support TMDTA
Want to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdta
Feeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9jgf-things-musicians-dont-talk-about
Find TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast
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Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca Toal
Editor: Hattie Butterworth
Music: Katy Ehrlich
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hattie has "trouble in everything", Becca has been living the Lady of Leisure lifestyle. They look back at 2016, forwards to 2026, and reply to an email from a reader/listener who reached out about feeling gaslit by their music college professor.
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Things Musicians Don't Talk About is supported by the Royal Society of Musicians! Follow RSM on Instagram, X and Facebook.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Support TMDTA
Want to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdta
Feeling generous? Help us raise funds for the podcast: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9jgf-things-musicians-dont-talk-about
Find TMDTA on all the socials at @tmdtapodcast
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hosts: Hattie Butterworth & Rebecca Toal
Editor: Rebecca Toal
Music: Katy Ehrlich
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What role do musicians play in the political landscape? And how safe do they feel about speaking out without damaging their career prospects? In this episode, live from the Royal Society of Musicians, Hattie and Rebecca are joined by cellist and former Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire and harpist and activist Eleanor Turner. They explore the barriers musicians face to championing their political causes as we become increasingly aware of war, genocide, and climate change.

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Thank you to the Royal Society of Musicians for its ongoing support. Become a member and donate today: https://www.rsmgb.org/

Explore the UK Opera Association: https://www.ukoa.net/

Explore Eleanor Turner's work: https://www.eleanorturner.biz/

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Support TMDTA
Donate to our ongoing costs: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9jgf-things-musicians-dont-talk-about
Want to support us on a regular basis? Consider joining our Patreon from £1 a month: https://www.patreon.com/tmdta
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Edited by Oscar Gormley
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.