164. "There's a moment in life when something clicks" - Atarah Ben-Tovim MBE

"If I'd had been a man, life with the flute would have been very different!"

This week on 'Talking Flutes' in the first of a two part podcast Clare speaks with the enigmatic, colourful and tour de force that is Atarah Ben-Tovim M.B.E about being involved in the flute playing world for over 60 years.  From breaking down barriers and being Principal Flute in Liverpool during the 60's and the time of the Beatles, to her continued love and passion for flute study.

Atarah Ben-Tovim, MBE is a British flautist and children's concert presenter.  Born in Wales, Ben-Tovim played her first television concert live at the Royal Albert Hall, at the age of fourteen. She was principal flautist with the National Youth Orchestra, and then from 1963-75 principal flautist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. She left the RLPO to found Atarah's Band in 1975, a group which sought to improve children's experiences with classical music. Atarah was awarded the MBE in 1980 for her work in this field. During its lifetime, the band played to over three million people.

In the late 1980s, BBC Radio Three made the programme Atarah's Music Box, all about children and music. Omnibus devoted a programme to her work, as did Blue Peter and Magpie. Her own television series, Atarah's Music, aimed at primary school children, aired in 1982.

Together with her husband Douglas Boyd she published The Right Instrument for Your Child followed by You Can Make Music!.

'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com