In this episode, learn all about the work of music charity Brass for Africa through a series of interviews that Matilda conducted during her trip to Uganda in February 2024! As an Ambassador for the charity, Matilda visited many of the different programs in and around Kampala, learning about how Brass for Africa provides Music and Life Skills education for around 2000 disadvantaged youths across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Find out more about Brass for Africa here: https://www.brassforafrica.org/

Follow Musical Roots on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicalrootspodcast/

In this conversation, Matilda interviews Owain Park: conductor, composer, organist, singer and the founder of the Gesualdo Six vocal consort. They discuss the group's formation, the challenges of singing one to a part and the importance of maintaining a mailing list to directly communicate with their audience. Owain shares his first introduction to classical music and how he became an organ scholar. They discuss the educational work and outreach that the Gesualdo Six does, as well as the importance of professional choirs like the BBC Singers. Owain also talks about his compositional process and the different approach he takes when writing for instruments. He introduces the Gesualdo Six's latest album, Morning Star, which features works for Epiphany.

Owain's Website: https://www.owainpark.co.uk/
The Gesualdo Six Website: https://www.thegesualdosix.co.uk/

Follow Musical Roots on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicalrootspodcast/

Meet Rakhi Singh, co-founder of the Manchester Collective, violinist, composer and more! In this week's episode we chat to the extremely creative Rakhi, who explores her identity through music in many ways, including composing, performing as a solo violinist (on her new album Purnima) and touring the country with her ensemble. She delves deep into the realities of being a touring musician: rest and recuperation, performance preparation, adrenaline, finding the balance, and also shares with us how and why she helped form the ensemble.

Rakhi's website: https://rakhisinghmusic.co.uk/
Listen to Purnima on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4uw6q4ogsRCtXAnS7nRkhH?si=C6uoKC5TQGeXuP-wCKhv1A
Manchester Collective tour: https://manchestercollective.co.uk/events