Why I listen to Classical Music (and the incredible benefits of doing so).

As a young child, my mother introduced me to classical music. We would sit and listen to Beethoven, Haydn, Chopin, Handel, Vivaldi, Bach, and her particular favourite, Mozart, for hours. Perhaps that is why I feel so comforted listening to classical music now.

At junior school, our headmaster also loved classical music. Every morning assembly began with us sitting cross-legged on the school hall floor, listening to the greatest composers of all time.

In senior school, our PE teacher had us dancing around to The Planets by Gustav Holst Mars. I’m not going to lie; I found this idea a bit weird at the time. It was one thing listening, quite another making up moves to accompany the music. I love dancing, but I stick to popular music or jazz on that score.

As a teen, my mother bought herself a Hammond organ, which I remember with her earphones on, happily playing away. I felt a little disgruntled that she didn’t buy a piano, but I am sure she had far more fun with the Hammond, as it had all kinds of switches so you could add Bossa Nova beats, jazz sounds, drums, or varying musical effects to accompany your playing.

As an adult, my love of classical music has endured. I am no music buff by any stretch, but I keep an open mind and listen to a wide…