I'm Benjamin Northey, and I'm associate conductor of the MSO

I’m the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s associate conductor. I grew up in a musical household and my folks noticed from the age of about two that I’d listen to records for ages. Mum was right onto it and kept putting new musical activities in front of me. I started playing piano, but eventually became serious about the flute and saxophone.

I made the decision to become a professional musician when I was 16. I remember very vividly thinking, ‘I haven’t got a plan B’. Luckily, I had great teachers and became a very busy working musician when I left school. I did every gig under the sun, from playing in pub cover bands and at weddings, to rock concerts with Alice Cooper and Roger Daltrey.

I went to uni as a mature-age student when I was 25. The late conductor John Hopkins saw the skills I’d built up as a professional musician, and the fact that I arranged music, and suggested that I study conducting with him. In 2001, I won the Young Conductor of The Year Competition, and then studied in Finland before coming back to Australia. I’ve been busy with orchestras all over the world ever since.

Everybody was happy that I was able to make a living as a professional musician, but the ‘is it a real job?’ conversation comes up from time to time. It’s a fair question, because my life is still as a freelance musician. The travel is challenging. I’ve got a young family at home and I feel like I’m not home enough. I’m also very conscious of stress. I find visualisation, meditation and mindfulness very important.

The other thing is that I never really stop work. In between concerts and rehearsals, I’m always studying for the next thing.

Plenty of crazy things have happened over the years, but the one that comes to mind was when I hit the music stand and broke my baton. It went catapulting over my head and landed in the audience three rows back on my mother’s lap. Embarrassing.

The most rewarding part of the job is the shared experience. Music unites everyone. In terms of downtime, I’m a lifelong Richmond supporter. Life’s been different since last year’s grand final. I haven’t stopped watching the replay.

As told to Meg Crawford