Where's My Freaking Dressing Room?!

It's time to meet the team behind this brand new podcast series. Join Alex and Helen for this taster episode as they reveal who they are, how they know each other, and why they've made this podcast. 

Alex and Helen waste no time getting down to the nitty-gritty stuff. In this episode they chat about the impact of Coronavirus on their careers; what it feels like to practice at home, what they miss about live performance, how Coronavirus has forced them both to slow down and potential positives (if there can be such a thing!) that might come out of this seismic shift in the classical music industry. 

Alex and Helen delve in to the world of bad performance experiences, discussing concerts where they feel they haven't given their best, concerts where others have affected their performance experience, projects where they haven't felt comfortable in themselves, as well as that all important question of when is the best time to eat before a performance?! Most importantly, they talk about how best to turn a negative performance experience in to something you can learn from. They find that it is often in their toughest performance experiences where they learn the most. 

Having delved into the depths of their bad performance experiences, it's only right that  Alex and Helen now sit back and celebrate their good performance experiences! From enthralling operas to exciting concerts, Alex and Helen discuss what it is that made their top performance experiences unique.In an industry where we're criticised at every turn, Alex and  Helen encourage listeners to celebrate occasions where you feel you've given your best. As musicians we must be able to critique ourselves and recognise areas for improvement, but we also need to be able to congratulate ourselves and recognise our achievements. 

Helen and Alex couldn't make a podcast about being musicians without tackling the big bad topic of PRACTICE. In this episode they discuss ideal schedules for practice, the awkward experience of listening back to yourself, the hours they've wasted doing pointless practice and strategies for mental practice.  

An episode that needs no description nor introduction. Alexander and Helen love everything about Christmas: the mulled wine, the carols, the parties and of course, the Christmas cake! Join them as they talk about some of their favourite (and not so favourite) Christmas experiences.Don't forget to head over to twitter and vote for your favourite advent carol between:Lo! He Comes with Clouds DescendingandOf the Father's Heart  BegottenMake sure to tag us: @dressingroompo1Another highlighted piece this episode is Richard Marlow's Advent Responsory, make sure to take a listen. 

Alexander and Helen are back and starting the new year by sharing their New Year resolutions. No, they're not talking about losing weight or learning a new language, instead they discuss how they're trying to make the most of things in these difficult times.Where's My Freaking Dressing Room?! 2021 Resolutions:1. Let It GoStop worrying, stop trying to control everything and Let It Go. Nervous about performing a difficult aria? Worrying and overly controlling will not help: Let It Go and just give it your best. Anxious about uploading a performance on social media? If you're proud of it then that's all that matters: Let It Go and share it with the world. 2. Get It DoneIf you're the kind of person that has to-do lists then this is one for you. If there are certain daily tasks (like going for a run or sending an email) that hang over you then schedule your day to work for you, decide to do those things first and simply Get It Done. If you know you practice best in the afternoon then organise your admin for the morning and your music-making for the afternoon. Set your day up so you can make the most of it, enjoy it, and Get It Done.3. Feed YourselfNo, we're not recommending you eat all the leftover Christmas cake! We're suggesting that in these difficult and unusual times why not explore your hobbies, maybe even find new ones and feed the other parts of your life that bring you joy. It hurts not to be able to make music right now, but perhaps you can find enjoyment in the things that you are able to do, whether it's reading, painting, yoga or just a simple lie-in!4. Don't Make ResolutionsIRONIC HUH? For our fourth and final resolution we recommend not expecting too much of yourself at this time. There is no doubt that we are all in crisis mode and the effects of that will be many. Setting yourself high goals and imminent deadlines at this time has the potential to set yourself up for failure and that is unhealthy. If you have targets, perhaps they don't have to have fixed deadlines? If you're keen to make progress, perhaps the goals you set yourself are small and can build week upon week?  Essentially we're saying now is not the time to tell yourself to learn every Brahms song by the end of February.  

This week Helen and Alexander dive into the world of auditions and competitions, in particular the new frontier of recording audition and competition videos. They talk about becoming audition video director, producer, sound engineer and editor and the new set of challenges audition videos present. Of course, they can't possibly cover auditions and competitions and not discuss live audition difficulties such as what to wear, having to introduce your programme, working with an accompanist you've never met and the audition panel.N.B. The sound quality of this episode isn't as high as we would normally like, but, it is a nationwide lockdown and we're doing the best we can with our ropey internet so please do bear with.

Alexander and Helen have realised that being a classical musician in 2021 means having to face those things they've been desperate to avoid: 'The Online Package'. This week Helen and Alex chat about how they curated their headshots, how they designed (or have avoided designing) their websites and how they approach social media. They share artists whose twitter accounts make them laugh, artists whose instagram accounts they find informative, and, as two cynics, they take a little time to question the social media machine.N.B. The sound quality of this episode isn't as high as we would normally like, but, it is a nationwide lockdown and we're doing the best we can with our ropey internet so please do bear with.