Michelle Bridgewater

Violin

I'm a Subject Lead for Music in a secondary school.

I joined in 2015.

I was looking for a hobby in secondary school. I had tried dance and netball, but I wanted to try something else. I was a shy year 7 pupil in secondary school, but I asked one of my music teachers if I could try violin lessons. I picked up the violin in year 8, and I loved it. My violin teacher and music teachers were amazing, encouraging me to perform in school and Music Service concerts. These opportunities helped me to (eventually) build up the confidence to perform on my own, and that confidence took me through sixth form, universities, and into my teaching in secondary education.

By the time I had reached my final year of university, I had been playing the violin in various orchestras over the years. I was worried about whether I would ever have time to play once I started teacher training and found my first teaching job. I was invited by a good friend to join an orchestra local to my university in my final year of study, and I really enjoyed it. This gave me the determination to find an orchestra in Birmingham when I moved home.

Another good friend recommended the BPO to me, so I made contact and joined up. I still remember my first rehearsal as if it was yesterday. I will always remember that I was greeted and welcomed with such warmth and friendliness. From that moment, I knew this was the orchestra for me.

Also, BPO has really helped me with my work/life balance too!

Choosing one occasion is very difficult! There are so many concerts and rehearsals that I will always remember.

One of my most treasured occasions with the BPO would have to be our performance of Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand in Birmingham's amazing Symphony Hall (BPO's 75th anniversary).

We had a dress rehearsal will all of the amazing choirs, and I remember hearing them doing their warm up exercises, with their beautiful notes filling the whole rehearsal space. I was amazed! It felt wonderful to be part of such a huge ensemble for such a special occasion. 

I often forget how big the Symphony Hall is, so it always feels magical having the opportunity to perform on that stage. The final concert was amazing!

No, none at all!

I see myself as open minded when playing music that I haven't heard before. I really like music that has a good, memorable melody I think. It also depends on how challenging the violin parts are!

Favourites: Beethoven, Coates, Mahler, Dvorak, Elgar and Holst.

Least favourites: Maybe Stravinsky? (I love Petrushka and The Firebird though!)

All of the Beethoven symphonies (I played some of them, but I'd love to explore the rest)

Music from The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter scores

Danzon No.2 (Márquez) - I saw it on the BBC Proms one year and I loved it!

The whole Planets Suite by Holst 

I love musicals! I'd love to play music from Les Misérables