Since last summer, we have been presenting and filming a new series of talks in which great artists and unsung musical heroes speak from the heart about what they do and why music matters today. The full range so far is available for RPS Members but the following are available to watch freely. In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing more like this for a limited time, to help fire your mind whilst we’re all in confinement.

In conversation: John Wilson and Sir Thomas Allen

Too often we presume great classical musicians are born apart, virtuosi from backgrounds quite different from our own. That’s rarely the case, and especially not for the much-loved and much-celebrated baritone Sir Thomas Allen, and conductor John Wilson. Watch them here, trading tales about their respective journeys from the North East to the world stage.

Nicky’s big speech

A national treasure, violinist Nicola Benedetti CBE has always dedicated herself to inspiring young people to make music. In a major speech for the RPS, presented in November 2019, she movingly reflects on her own musical experience and her exciting new commitment to music education.

Meet the original Kanneh-Masons

Kadiatu and Stuart Kanneh-Mason, parents of sensational cellist Sheku, pianist Isata and a host of talented siblings, tell their story to the RPS. For many parents striving to get their children to practise, their words are golden.

How music can transform a school

All across Britain there are musical heroes. Here, inspirational teacher Jimmy Rotheram talks about how he and his colleagues transformed a struggling Yorkshire primary school by putting music at the heart of every student’s day.