Early rehearsals and a curated warm-up routine: What it's like working as an orchestra conductor.

When it comes to the world of orchestra and classical music, many of us aren't privy to the behind-the-scenes mechanics that take place. That's until now.   

For accomplished orchestra conductor Benjamin Northey, his performance days start at the crack of dawn. At the moment, he is working on the new concert, Sergei Prokofiev's classic Peter & the Wolf, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Getting up bright and early sometimes means a 4am wake up to account for travel and rehearsals. But no matter what time of day it is, Benjamin says the first thing he does before work is to mentally prepare for the day ahead.

"Clearing your mind before the rehearsal is really important. And setting your attention to the music is key – a great way to do this is through mindfulness," Benjamin said to Mamamia.

Now what does an orchestra conductor wear, you may ask?

"Suits, tails and bow ties were the tradition. Now it's great to see conductors adding their own personal flair," Benjamin said. "I always opt for dark clothing because my baton is white so it stands out more visually."

The next step is getting the body ready for a performance – because it's not just about waving a baton around in the air. It's far more complex than that!

"Your arms and shoulders need to be very relaxed, as those parts can carry a lot of tension – and you don't want to run into an injury problem. I do some stretching exercises, I swing my arms around and shake out all my limbs."

After a performance, Benjamin says his adrenaline levels are still raging on a high – and it takes a carefully curated wind-down routine to manage that. It of course involves some good meditation and mindfulness, followed by watching some trashy TV to decompress. 

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Of course this 'day in the life' scenario will be exactly what Benjamin follows in October ahead of an upcoming concert at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 

Sergei Prokofiev's classic Peter & the Wolf  is a family favourite, and there's a good reason why.

Written with young ears in mind, Peter & the Wolf  follows the magical musical tale of Peter, a young boy who sets out into the deep forest to catch a wolf.

All the characters are brought to life through particular instruments. Peter's bird-friend flits with the flute while his companion duck waddles along to the oboe. Lively strings hum with Peter's cheerful energy while horns hint at the shadowy wolf at his heel. 

It's incredibly enchanting for the young audience watching on – a universal tale told through music.

Image: Daniela Testa.

Peter & the Wolf  is often described as the perfect introduction to classical music for little ones, given it's a family-friendly concert, specifically written for primary school-aged children. 

It's also an exciting introduction for kids to the Sydney Opera House. As one of Australia's monumental icons, it's a building that belongs to us all – and opens up a new world of wonder, culture and memory-making for growing minds.

As Benjamin said to Mamamia, he himself has such fond memories of Peter & the Wolf  from when he was a child. 

"I remember listening to this when I was a kid, being absolutely captivated by it and learning a lot about the instruments in the orchestra. It's bright and lyrical – it reconnects you to your own childhood wonder."

And listening to the famous music behind Peter & The Wolf on record certainly kick-started a lifelong love for classical music in Benjamin.

For 21 years now he has been conducting across Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere, and often with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. And there's so much work that goes into preparing for a performance, with conductors and the orchestra studying the music months in advance. 

"Classical music, particularly Peter & The Wolf, is so generational. Many of us have fond memories of our parents or grandparents introducing us to music, and that's a really nice tradition to pass down. It's like a rite of passage," Benjamin said.

If you come away from watching Peter & The Wolf, kids can then enjoy more of the story at home with Jean-Pascal Beintus’ Wolf Tracks on Spotify; a retelling for contemporary times. The music is lyrical and enchanting, and set against a superbly written story by Walt Kraemer. It’s not surprising that Wolf Tracks has been recorded by Obama, Clinton, Antonio Banderas and Sophia Loren. 

Benjamin said he especially loves watching grandparents bring their grandkids to the concerts, seeing the audience fall in love with the characters and charming audiovisuals.

Because often, Peter & The Wolf  is a child's first introduction to the imaginative realm of classical music.

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It's also been shown that classic music has a major influence on the creative and intellectual development of children.

As Benjamin said: "It's a pillar of a full education, I could get on my soapbox about this for quite some time! It really does unlock the creative potential of the young developing mind. It helps them think, engage and understand how sounds can lead to feelings and emotions. And that's music's greatest gift."

Ultimately, this is what Benjamin loves most about his job. The fact that classical music is a force for good in the world. 

"It shows humanity at its best, at its most collaborative and cooperative. That's what an orchestra is all about – watching a team of people come together," he said.

"I think when people see a conductor, they think it's all about power and control, and being in charge. But it's a collaborative role. You're listening and working with the musicians, which is a great privilege."

Peter & the Wolf  is one of many family-friendly concerts at the Sydney Opera House. So if you're looking for something to do with the kids this coming October, be sure to check out Sergei Prokofiev's classic Peter & the Wolf, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – showing at the Sydney Opera House.

Because watching the curiosity and wonder on the kids' faces is what makes Benjamin a very happy conductor. 

Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter & the Wolf is playing at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on October 16. Book your tickets here.

Feature Image: Supplied/Instagram @maestrobenny