As a listener and admirer of Linton Stephens, I can’t help but feel inspired by his incredible journey. Born into a large working-class family, he dared to dream big when he decided at eight years old that he wanted to play in an orchestra like the one he saw on TV during the Proms. His mother’s words, “Well, you’d better be the first!” echoed in my heart as I read his story.
Classical Live is on Radio 3 on Monday-Friday at 1.00pm. Add it to your collection now.
At the age of sixteen, Linton Stephens was preparing to delve into his A-level studies of music at a college on the Wirral. It was his music teacher who introduced him to Radio 3, suggesting it as the ideal station for anyone eager to explore classical music. “She told me that if I wanted to learn more about classical music, then Radio 3 was the place to tune in,” Stephens shared gratefully. Now, over two decades later, Stephens has emerged as a promising presenter on Radio 3, not only infusing its programming with novelty but also offering unique insights and perspectives, stemming from his own career as an orchestral musician.
Stephens, now 39 years old, often expresses deep gratitude for his circumstances. This is fitting for someone whose mantras are “working hard” and “keeping humble.” However, it seems luck has only played a minor role in his career, which began with a strong desire to overcome obstacles. As an eight-year-old boy from a large, working-class black family, he was inspired watching TV’s Proms and thought, “I want to be part of that.
No one in the orchestra looked like me
Stephens frequently shares an anecdote regarding a specific instance. He recalls looking at his mother and expressing, ‘There’s no one in the orchestra who resembles me,’ to which she replied, ‘Then it’s up to you to be the first!’
To achieve his dream, Stephens first chose to learn the bassoon – an instrument unconventional perhaps, but its uniqueness drew him in. His natural aptitude earned him a spot at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, paving the road for his professional career as a musician.
Currently residing in south-east London, he’s an active freelancer who finds himself regularly involved with three orchestras: the BBC Concert Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, and Chineke! Orchestra. The latter was established to provide chances for black and ethnic minority musicians, who historically have faced obstacles in securing a place within the profession.
Stephen’s passion for this cause runs deep, as his activism within the Musicians’ Union stems from personal encounters with discrimination. He recounted instances such as offensive racial jokes from stage crew members, and a choir member remarking, “We don’t usually have people like you here.
Discovering that he could take action about the issue through the Equalities Committee of the Musicians’ Union felt like an “aha” moment for him. This revelation led to speaking at conferences, which eventually caught the attention of Radio 3. Notably, experienced producer Les Pratt listened to Stephens and proposed the idea of having him come in for a voice trial for Listen.
Stephen has found a permanent spot on the new afternoon program, “Classical Live”. For the upcoming week and the following “Radio 3 in Concert”, he will be the host. During Black History Month, he is also presenting a series of programs. He embodies the changing spirit of Radio 3, a voice that resonates with the modern world. As he puts it, “Tradition is important, but it must remain relevant to today’s world. Twenty years ago, Radio 3 had the power to decide what was played and how. Now, with the ease of accessing any music we desire at any time, our role as presenters is not just to keep company but to enhance the music, to share the stories that lie behind it.
Stephen expresses his affection for Radio 3, stating, “I’ve been presented with opportunities to work at different stations, but Radio 3 holds a special place in my heart because no other station can broadcast live music like Radio 3 does.” The abundance of live music on Radio 3 is a significant factor in his decision to stay. “Perhaps it’s due to my background as a musician, but there’s an undeniable charm in live performances, and I believe Radio 3’s role in promoting them is crucial.
Stephen’s abilities extend beyond just music; he’s an exceptional artist as well, currently working on a project for Black History Month – creating a daily illustration featuring notable black and ethnic minority composers (an example being Haitian piano virtuoso Ludovic Lamothe). This endeavor is aimed at shining a light on these often overlooked or underappreciated musicians. However, music remains his primary focus, and it’s Radio 3, the station he discovered at age 16, that reaps the most benefit from his talents.
Read More
- SQR PREDICTION. SQR cryptocurrency
- DOGS PREDICTION. DOGS cryptocurrency
- KNINE PREDICTION. KNINE cryptocurrency
- TON PREDICTION. TON cryptocurrency
- EVA PREDICTION. EVA cryptocurrency
- HI PREDICTION. HI cryptocurrency
- METIS PREDICTION. METIS cryptocurrency
- UXLINK PREDICTION. UXLINK cryptocurrency
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- STG PREDICTION. STG cryptocurrency
2024-10-10 14:36