Mary Strickson Contributor Gold

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  Culture lockdown: Music - Nostalgia Edition by Voice Collaborations

  Comment posted on 11 June 2020

  I'm just here for All Star, Smash Mouth! Oooh the 00s nostalgia!

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  Young people need more adventure by Sadhana Narayanan

  Comment posted on 23 March 2020

  This raises really important issues, I couldn't agree more!

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  Is Classical Music just too 'boring' for the younger generation? by Sophie Hart

  Comment posted on 30 July 2018

  I went to DraigCon recently (a Harry Potter Fan Convention in Manchester). As part of your £20 ticket you got two free autographs from the stars of the films, and a range of experiences from a Q and A, a magic show, prop photos, puppetry and other fun things to do. We couldn’t fit it all in! The most interesting thing though is that every single ticket had a classical Orchestra performance included as one of the advertised extras. You had your card punched when you had seen it as it was in demand and it was advertised as one of the best perks you could do at the convention. The concert was a full orchestra of about 40 minutes of John Williams Movie Music from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Jaws to Harry Potter. It was held in a big posh concert hall. But what was interesting is that most of the performances were completely full up. And it was mostly young people who attended this con (although all ages were definitely there). Fantastic to see so many young people enjoying classical music. What a brilliant idea and way to allow young people to experience classical music for the first time, for free and to allow audiences who wouldn’t normally attend of all ages access to this music. People who would usually feel alienated from attending a grand concert hall were suddenly filling the seats. Hats off to the event organisers, it was a wonderful performance too. Just wanted to share as I think this is the way forward with this issue. Make it cool. Play what people want to hear. And most of all make it affordable or free and in places where people are attending anyway. If they like it they are then more likely to come to the more expensive paid performances in the future and to feel more comfortable in a concert hall setting. Your article is brilliant and raises great issues, I enjoyed reading it :)

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  Travelling with an Invisible Disability by Rebecca Took

  Comment posted on 30 July 2018

  I also definitely relate to this. Very good article. I have invisible disabilities and find it very difficult on public transport without a seat. For me it’s not about being in pain or physically unable to stand but more about the fact that if you are standing on public transport you can end up in a crowd or lacking space or being pressed against other people and that’s what I find difficult. I find the tube too difficult now tbh.

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  University isn't the only way by Joshua Gould

  Comment posted on 14 September 2017

  This is great! As much as I loved my university degrees and would do them all over again if given the chance, I really feel that we are not made aware of all our options at A-Level and you're right, there seems to be an uncomfortable trend to automatically shepherd people into going to university without really informing them about alternatives and university isn't the right path for everyone. I feel people need to be more equipped to make their own decisions. I also feel there's too much of a pressure and rush after A Levels, whereas as has benefitted you, people need more time to consider what they really want to do in life and to have time to think about the best path to get there.

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