Stephen Maddock
@stephenmaddock.bsky.social
Music, drama, Birmingham, politics, Man City. Not always in that order.
I’m not saying that taking a replacement bus when there are no trains from Birmingham to Solihull is *slow*, but I just listened to the whole of Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil and I’m still not home….
October 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I’m not saying that taking a replacement bus when there are no trains from Birmingham to Solihull is *slow*, but I just listened to the whole of Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil and I’m still not home….
If the US and Israel are destroying foreign targets with impunity, it’s hardly surprising that Russia feels it can drop missiles on Poland. What a mess.
September 10, 2025 at 6:39 AM
If the US and Israel are destroying foreign targets with impunity, it’s hardly surprising that Russia feels it can drop missiles on Poland. What a mess.
Reposted by Stephen Maddock
⭐️ Hear from @stephenmaddock.bsky.social at the start of the new academic year! Featuring: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social's new students, National Student Survey results, an uplift in ticket sales, and a big thanks RBC's loyal audiences for supporting our students ⭐️
🔗 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
🔗 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
September 7, 2025 at 12:10 PM
⭐️ Hear from @stephenmaddock.bsky.social at the start of the new academic year! Featuring: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social's new students, National Student Survey results, an uplift in ticket sales, and a big thanks RBC's loyal audiences for supporting our students ⭐️
🔗 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
🔗 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.”
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of War
The US president has sought to refocus the department on
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 6:55 AM
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.”
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.”
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump to rebrand Pentagon as Department of War
The US president has sought to refocus the department on
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 6:41 AM
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.”
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Donald Trump, at his second inauguration.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How glorious to see & hear Judith Weir’s gorgeous 2000 song cycle woman.life.song transformed into a chamber opera by Birmingham Opera. Great staging, singing, playing & conducting (Alpesh Chauhan), with lots of past & present musicians from @royalbirmcons.bsky.social & @thecbso.bsky.social involved
August 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
How glorious to see & hear Judith Weir’s gorgeous 2000 song cycle woman.life.song transformed into a chamber opera by Birmingham Opera. Great staging, singing, playing & conducting (Alpesh Chauhan), with lots of past & present musicians from @royalbirmcons.bsky.social & @thecbso.bsky.social involved
This is excellent news. The fall in A Level Music remains a concern, but a second material increase in GCSE music numbers is a cause for celebration.
Young people still want to make music and compose IF their school gives them that opportunity!
Young people still want to make music and compose IF their school gives them that opportunity!
August 22, 2025 at 8:39 AM
This is excellent news. The fall in A Level Music remains a concern, but a second material increase in GCSE music numbers is a cause for celebration.
Young people still want to make music and compose IF their school gives them that opportunity!
Young people still want to make music and compose IF their school gives them that opportunity!
Well at least Putin was wearing a suit and said thank you.
Otherwise Trump might have given him a hard time.
Otherwise Trump might have given him a hard time.
August 15, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Well at least Putin was wearing a suit and said thank you.
Otherwise Trump might have given him a hard time.
Otherwise Trump might have given him a hard time.
I know proper cricket fans think #TheHundred is beneath you, but it’s a great way to spend summer eves when you’ve gone back to work in Aug & you can watch an actual game on LIVE TV in knowledge that you won’t have missed all the best bits while you were at work. GO PHOENIX!!
August 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I know proper cricket fans think #TheHundred is beneath you, but it’s a great way to spend summer eves when you’ve gone back to work in Aug & you can watch an actual game on LIVE TV in knowledge that you won’t have missed all the best bits while you were at work. GO PHOENIX!!
I think if I lived here I might not get round to composing any more masterpieces either.
August 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I think if I lived here I might not get round to composing any more masterpieces either.
So in the last 6 weeks the world has lost Brian Wilson, Alfred Brendel, Ozzy Osbourne, Roger Norrington, Cleo Laine & Tom Lehrer.
That’s a smart - and very eclectic - addition to the heavenly choir. Good luck to the existing members and whoever has to give the audition feedback.
That’s a smart - and very eclectic - addition to the heavenly choir. Good luck to the existing members and whoever has to give the audition feedback.
July 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
So in the last 6 weeks the world has lost Brian Wilson, Alfred Brendel, Ozzy Osbourne, Roger Norrington, Cleo Laine & Tom Lehrer.
That’s a smart - and very eclectic - addition to the heavenly choir. Good luck to the existing members and whoever has to give the audition feedback.
That’s a smart - and very eclectic - addition to the heavenly choir. Good luck to the existing members and whoever has to give the audition feedback.
England supersub Michelle Agyemang has taken her piano with her to Switzerland and plays it to relax every day.
🎹+⚽️=✅
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
🎹+⚽️=✅
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Euro 2025: England forward Michelle Agyemang's journey from ball girl to Euro 2025
England forward Michelle Agyemang was a ball girl four years ago at Wembley. Now she is making an impact for the Lionesses at Euro 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 23, 2025 at 9:58 AM
England supersub Michelle Agyemang has taken her piano with her to Switzerland and plays it to relax every day.
🎹+⚽️=✅
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
🎹+⚽️=✅
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Definitely not a sequel. More of a Northern English Folk Pastoral Coming of Age Brexit parable - with zombies.
Very unusual, superb direction and cinematography, plus some highly apposite but unexpected Wagner. And Alfie Williams is sensationally good.
www.imdb.com/title/tt1054...
Very unusual, superb direction and cinematography, plus some highly apposite but unexpected Wagner. And Alfie Williams is sensationally good.
www.imdb.com/title/tt1054...
28 Years Later (2025) ⭐ 7.2 | Horror, Thriller
1h 55m | R
www.imdb.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Definitely not a sequel. More of a Northern English Folk Pastoral Coming of Age Brexit parable - with zombies.
Very unusual, superb direction and cinematography, plus some highly apposite but unexpected Wagner. And Alfie Williams is sensationally good.
www.imdb.com/title/tt1054...
Very unusual, superb direction and cinematography, plus some highly apposite but unexpected Wagner. And Alfie Williams is sensationally good.
www.imdb.com/title/tt1054...
Reposted by Stephen Maddock
☀️🎶 @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Principal, @stephenmaddock.bsky.social, reflects on the last term and his highlights from the past season - follow the link below to read his entire message from last Friday! 🎶☀️
📖 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
📖 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
June 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
☀️🎶 @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Principal, @stephenmaddock.bsky.social, reflects on the last term and his highlights from the past season - follow the link below to read his entire message from last Friday! 🎶☀️
📖 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
📖 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
Serendipity Festival Day 4:
28 years after it was founded by the genius Joe Broughton, the @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Folk Ensemble finally took to the stage at Symphony Hall!
28 years after it was founded by the genius Joe Broughton, the @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Folk Ensemble finally took to the stage at Symphony Hall!
May 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Serendipity Festival Day 4:
28 years after it was founded by the genius Joe Broughton, the @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Folk Ensemble finally took to the stage at Symphony Hall!
28 years after it was founded by the genius Joe Broughton, the @royalbirmcons.bsky.social Folk Ensemble finally took to the stage at Symphony Hall!
Serendipity Birmingham Day 3: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social Banda Brasileira entertaining a large audience in the JBPS @bmusicltd.bsky.social Symphony Hall.
Portuguese music (as heard in Friday’s Fados) travelled to Goa & Brazil & now we’re uniting the traditions!
Portuguese music (as heard in Friday’s Fados) travelled to Goa & Brazil & now we’re uniting the traditions!
May 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Serendipity Birmingham Day 3: @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social Banda Brasileira entertaining a large audience in the JBPS @bmusicltd.bsky.social Symphony Hall.
Portuguese music (as heard in Friday’s Fados) travelled to Goa & Brazil & now we’re uniting the traditions!
Portuguese music (as heard in Friday’s Fados) travelled to Goa & Brazil & now we’re uniting the traditions!
Standing ovation for Sempre Fado at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social last night, a brilliant opening to Serendipity Festival Birmingham.
Lots more events between now and Monday!
Lots more events between now and Monday!
May 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Standing ovation for Sempre Fado at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social last night, a brilliant opening to Serendipity Festival Birmingham.
Lots more events between now and Monday!
Lots more events between now and Monday!
Serendipity Arts Festival Birmingham Day 1: the exhibitions are up @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and looking stunning! Events today at 1100, 1500 & 1900
@mybcu.bsky.social
@mybcu.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Serendipity Arts Festival Birmingham Day 1: the exhibitions are up @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and looking stunning! Events today at 1100, 1500 & 1900
@mybcu.bsky.social
@mybcu.bsky.social
Delighted to appear on BBCWM this evening to talk about the amazing Serendipity Birmingham Festival taking place this weekend at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social and @bmusicltd.bsky.social
Full details: Serendipityartsfestival.com/birmingham
And www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
Full details: Serendipityartsfestival.com/birmingham
And www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
May 19, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Delighted to appear on BBCWM this evening to talk about the amazing Serendipity Birmingham Festival taking place this weekend at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social @mybcu.bsky.social and @bmusicltd.bsky.social
Full details: Serendipityartsfestival.com/birmingham
And www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
Full details: Serendipityartsfestival.com/birmingham
And www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
Reposted by Stephen Maddock
🎶🤩 Principal @stephenmaddock.bsky.social wishes our students the best of luck during the assessment period, encourages everyone to enjoy the Serendipity Festival at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and Symphony Hall, and reflects on his 2 years (& 1 week) RBC anniversary! 🤩🎶 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
May 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🎶🤩 Principal @stephenmaddock.bsky.social wishes our students the best of luck during the assessment period, encourages everyone to enjoy the Serendipity Festival at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social and Symphony Hall, and reflects on his 2 years (& 1 week) RBC anniversary! 🤩🎶 www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoir...
Today’s the day, RBQ fans!
New series kicks off with the Midlands taking on Northern Ireland in BBC Radio 4 @ 1630.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
New series kicks off with the Midlands taking on Northern Ireland in BBC Radio 4 @ 1630.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Round Britain Quiz, Programme 1 - The Midlands v Northern Ireland
The contest of lateral thinking and cryptic connections, chaired by Kirsty Lang. 1/12
www.bbc.co.uk
May 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Today’s the day, RBQ fans!
New series kicks off with the Midlands taking on Northern Ireland in BBC Radio 4 @ 1630.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
New series kicks off with the Midlands taking on Northern Ireland in BBC Radio 4 @ 1630.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Congratulations to all at WNO for a magnificent Peter Grimes tonight at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Chorus, Orchestra were tremendous and the splendidly detailed performances from a great cast (with terrible 80s hair) were spellbinding. Full house too.
#WNOGrimes
Chorus, Orchestra were tremendous and the splendidly detailed performances from a great cast (with terrible 80s hair) were spellbinding. Full house too.
#WNOGrimes
May 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Congratulations to all at WNO for a magnificent Peter Grimes tonight at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Chorus, Orchestra were tremendous and the splendidly detailed performances from a great cast (with terrible 80s hair) were spellbinding. Full house too.
#WNOGrimes
Chorus, Orchestra were tremendous and the splendidly detailed performances from a great cast (with terrible 80s hair) were spellbinding. Full house too.
#WNOGrimes
“A Pope from Chicago? Yes, I’m available. And here are my conditions”
May 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
“A Pope from Chicago? Yes, I’m available. And here are my conditions”
Congratulations Pope Leo!
May 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Congratulations Pope Leo!
One of the best films about music I’ve ever seen.
With more than a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it. And Vampires.
Totally brilliant!
www.imdb.com/title/tt3119...
With more than a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it. And Vampires.
Totally brilliant!
www.imdb.com/title/tt3119...
Sinners (2025) ⭐ 8.2 | Action, Drama, Horror
2h 17m | R
www.imdb.com
April 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
One of the best films about music I’ve ever seen.
With more than a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it. And Vampires.
Totally brilliant!
www.imdb.com/title/tt3119...
With more than a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it. And Vampires.
Totally brilliant!
www.imdb.com/title/tt3119...