We are back! And what better way to revive the series than with our dear friend Jess Tomey (now living it up in New Zealand!), who gives us her heartfelt thoughts on nostalgia, as we share some beautiful music that brings back our most treasured musical memories.

UoM medicine student and keen singer Ciaran Wilson joins us to share some of his experiences working at Walt Disney World in Florida (including what goes on behind the scenes). We shed a tear as we decipher what it is that gives Disney/Pixar music that special nostalgic sparkle, as well as talking everything from a cappella to alligators.

In this episode, we are joined by RNCM pianist Luke Jones, in a discussion about music that can express a feeling of triumph. This can manifest in many different ways from militant nationalism and the victory of nations in battle, to childlike innocence and the victorious wisdom that one feels as they grow older. Either way, triumph usually spells ending or closure, and we hope our choices of music get that message across.

After a brief hiatus, we're back with an extra-long instalment for you all. In this moving episode, we are joined by Sri Lankan pianist and conductor Louis Perera, to talk about music that is inspired by grief, as well as music that helped us whilst we were grieving in our own lives.

Tissues at the ready this week, as we talk with RCM mezzo-soprano Angelina Dorlin-Barlow about music that we associate with our personal experiences of heartbreak, as well music accompanying heartbreak scenes in opera and theatre.

Joined this week by marvellous singer Ella Rainbird-Earley, we discuss music that makes us think of the night, and the mysterious things that it holds. 

Cellist Lucy McLuckie joins us for an exciting episode, jam-packed with our favourite musical theatre tunes. We also discuss our time in York, as well as what constitutes an acceptable crisp flavour.

This week we are honoured to be joined by fantastic conductor and dear friend Alex Mackinder, to talk about a feeling that we all miss very much - euphoria! Covering nearly 120 years of music, we look at how different composers have represented joy on a higher emotional and spiritual plane. Prepare for some profound conductor talk that Ben clearly doesn't quite understand.

Alongside pianist/harpsichordist, researcher and chamber-music coach Harvey Davies, we discuss music that we associate with being 'locked-down'. Prepare for a very eclectic episode, and one that is especially relevant to us all.

This week we are honoured to be joined by pianist, accompanist, and lecturer at the University of York, Mark Hutchinson. We talk about examples of jealousy and betrayal in music, and how composers from various periods have responded to these feelings in their music.