Success Beyond The Score

We are almost done revisit season 2 of the podcast Success Beyond The Score. This time, we have two more compilation episodes, in which, instead of hearing one guest talk about many things, you will get to know all guests’ opinion on a single topic.

On episode 18, we looked back at the event that completely changed the course of the 2020s: the coronavirus pandemic. It was a devastating blow for humankind at all levels that is still taking a toll to this day, yet it was also a moment of crisis that allowed us to think differently about what we were doing and what we really wanted. How did it affect the music industry during the first two years? Specifically, how did it impact musicians at different levels?

Episode 19 is all about practical information: from each guest, we are going to hear at least three essential tips, or things that you can do to help you make it in the music industry.

We hope this information is useful for you, and that you are enjoying this trip down memory...

Here are two more "themed" episodes of the podcast Success Beyond the Score.

Episode 16 is all about the business side of music. It is an essential part of the journey to becoming a professional musician that intimidates many emerging artists, but it doesn't have to be that way! Listen to the guests talk about record labels, contracts, finances, networking, training and education, from their vast experience, and without keeping any secrets.

Episode 17 moves from the professional to the personal. Each guests tells us about their career highs and lows. What have they realised truly matters after decades of experience? What have they learned from difficult times?

As usual, the audio-only version can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!

The second season of the podcast Success Beyond The Score has two distinct parts. So far, we have revisited the first one. For it, Millicent interviewed brilliant people in the music industry about a variety of relevant and interesting themes. Now, it’s time for the second one, in which we propose a new dialogue format: instead of one person talking about many different topics, you will hear all guests’ opinions on a singular topic.

The opening theme of this part of the podcast is family. Listen about how the guests balance work and home life, what their families have meant for their careers, how they have supported their journey, among other things.

The next topic has to do with the ideas associated with the status of celebrity. There is a notion that famous people live a life of applause, lights, and luxury. That they live far above the mundane. The guests will tell you how it really is. They talk about glitz, glamour and the Monday morning musician.

If long interviews are n...

The last individual interview of the podcast Success Beyond The Score had as a guest the outstanding British-Jamaican R&B, Soul and Gospel singer-songwriter Ruby Turner (MBE).

With a music career spanning more than 30 years, Ruby Turner has left an indelible mark in the industry. Her song “It’s Gonna Be Alright’ broke through by hitting number 1 on the US R&B Chart in 1990, and her more than 20 albums and singles are widely known in Europe and North America. She has been a session vocalist for Bryan Ferry, UB40, Steel Pulse, Jools Holland and Mick Jagger. She has written songs for Lulu, Yazz and Maxi Priest.

Ruby is also an actress, and her acting career spans theater, film and TV, including fiction and non-fiction. She has also been a BBC Music Judge for televised choir competitions. Ruby’s awards include an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to music.

In the first part of the interview, Ruby and Millicent talk about what it means to be a c...

Interviewing the next guest in this recap of Success Beyond The Score podcast, season 2, presented a challenge in regard to timezone differences: due to lockdown and travel restrictions related to the containment of COVID-19 at the time, the British composer and songwriter Dan Whitehouse was stranded in Japan. Regardless, Millicent managed to have an excellent talk with him.

Dan has released five solo albums. He is a songwriting tutor and mentor qualified in the Sounds of Intent methodology, and he has extensive experience working directly with musicians or through facilitators such as Midlands Arts Centre or Company of Song, to create community through music.

In the first part of the interview, we learn how everything started, how it was going at the time of recording, his experiences of studying music, and everything about being signed to a label.

The second part explores the impact of COVID-19 on Dan’s life and career, after lockdown made a visit to Japan become an almost two ...

The next pair of episodes of the podcast Success Beyond the Score, season 2, bring us to meet and talk to the brilliant saxophonist Anna Brooks.

She is an international touring and recording artiste with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials and Joolz Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Additionally, she is a music arranger, music director, music preparation specialist and singer. She is also a teacher at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

In the first part, Anna describes herself in the musical world, and then comments on how she balances family commitments and touring. We talk about the pros and cons of having a music degree, and why being self-taught rocks! She also talks about her instrument preferences, dealing with mistakes, and what it’s like being the only female in a band.

In the second part, we delved into how we coped with COVID-19; tips for transitioning your music into a full-time professional career; how Anna started her music career just six weeks after the birth of her sons; mu...

Continuing with our journey down memory lane, today we bring the two episodes of the podcast Success Beyond The Score dedicated to the award-wining international operatic soprano Abigail Kelly.

Her engagements include a variety of roles, like the female lead in the ‘The Marriage of Figaro’, which she performs in various languages – Italian, Russian, German and French. Abigail is the Ambassador for the National Touring Opera and is passionate about making opera available to all. Abigail is a workshop leader and vocal tutor and has been featured in Black Hair and Beauty magazine.

In the first part, episode 6, Abigail explains why she chose to become an operatic soprano, the things opera singers do which singers in other genres do not, her journey to becoming a full-time musician, and the impact that COVID-19 had on her life and career.

In the second part, Abigail gives her insights on how to bounce back; dealing with fame and the mundane; tips for building a full-time music career...

On this Easter Sunday, let's continue revisiting season 2 of the podcast Success Beyond The Score, introducing the next guest: Louise Dengate.

Louise is an exceptional vocalist and coach. After finishing her music degree, she first became a receptionist, but realised that it was not for her, and set out to grow her music into a full time career. She now has a Gospel choir, does teaching, coaching and has a music agency. During the pandemic, she navigated by developing her passion about psychology and the stage, and worked together with her husband, who is also a full-time musician, to continue their careers while also growing their family.

Here is the first part of the interview:

And here is the second part, where Louise talks about her career highs and lows, the challenges of being a female director, how to make music your career, and some truths about reality TV competitions and their influence on success:

We hope you enjoy hearing Millicent and Louise's conversation again....

Once done with our revisit of season 1 of the podcast Success Beyond The Score, today we want to direct your attention to season 2.

First aired in 2021, and produced under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, this season introduced two big changes: the presence of guests, and the video call format. The episodes, available now on YouTube on top of all the usual podcast streaming platforms, started with a brief intro:

The first guest of the season was Tony Bean, the CEO and founder of 5AM Records. He is an international artiste developer, songwriter and record producer who has worked with major record labels such as Polydor, Motown and Warner Brothers. Tony has worked with Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Lemar, Beverley Knight, Kenny Thomas, Tyrese, Alexandra Burke, Freddie Kofi, Nu Life, Monique Thomas and Eternal, to name a few.

The first part of the interview, which constitutes episode 2, starts with Tony talking about what it is like being a se...

This is the final batch of episodes from season 1 of the podcast Success Beyond the Score. They share the theme of looking at the future, from what to do when setbacks in other areas of your life jeopardise your job, to how to use new technologies to share your music online, and what good habits will ensure the longevity of your career.

On Wednesday 28th January 2026, there is going to be a FREE COURSE expanding on the subject of music performance livestreaming, which is treated on episodes 27 and 28 of the podcast. You are still in time to sign up by clicking this link.

Here are the episodes:

26. What do you do when life happens to your online music?

What do you do when everything is going in the right direction, and all of a sudden, you get a setback from nowhere? Today, Millicent explores how to deal with curveballs and unexpected life issues that make difficult to keep up with your online posting or work.

27. What equipment do you need to livestream?

Are you interested in p

...