After 40 years writing for The List about classical music, it feels strange to recall that being a journalist was never my intention. It just sort of happened with one thing leading to another, including presenting Radio Forth’s classical music programme where I had interviewed Scottish Opera’s PR manager, who generously recommended me to the magazine’s editors. Being what was then called a music administrator was, however, very much a career intention, and it was my day job running the National Association Of Youth Orchestras that opened doors to radio and writing.

The List was initially published every fortnight, usually with a couple of panels for classical coverage and as many event listings as I could gather. Google and websites didn’t exist, but I loved to know what was going on and to interview artists on the phone about their performances. My handbag was always stuffed with leaflets and brochures picked up at venues and even more came through the post. There were usually around 40 classical events listed per issue between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and even though we don’t publish listings in the same way, the numbers and range of events happening now have undoubtedly grown.

Although today’s digital world wasn’t even imagined, I did have a computer (an Amstrad) and faithfully delivered my copy on its removable disc every two weeks to the office in Tweeddale Court. It was a great way of getting to know colleagues and definitely way more fun and personable than today’s solitary pressing send on an email. 

Carol Main has been The List’s authority on classical music and opera since day one and was recently appointed as the new chair at Scotland’s National Centre For Music; main picture: Stewart Attwood.

Follow The List’s timeline for more reminiscences from magazine’s past:
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