Hidden Kingdoms

Ben Foster's extensive musical talent extends from orchestrating the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics for James Bond composer David Arnold, to being a judge on the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year. He was most recently seen on UK TV screens conducting the National Orchestra of Wales at the Dr Who BBC Prom. Hidden Kingdoms is his first natural history project - “It’s been terrific; it’s something I’ve been hoping to do for years, especially with the BBC.” Born in Liverpool and a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music in London, Ben not only wrote and arranged the entire score for Hidden Kingdoms but conducted the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, whom he has worked with extensively over the last 8 years on Dr Who and Torchwood. It’s a group he’s come to admire and class not just as colleagues but friends - “I think they’re proud to play a part in a show that they can then watch at home.” Ben’s diversity of experience in writing, arranging and orchestrating dramatic scores made him the ideal candidate to score the music and bring to life the enchantment of the Hidden Kingdoms. Trumpet - Tom Rees-Roberts Perhaps better known for his role in the Strictly Come Dancing band, trumpeter Tom Rees-Roberts has a string of successful television shows added to his bow - or should that be to his brass? Having previously performed on shows including Children In Need, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Search For A Star and various Royal Variety Shows to name only a few, as well as West End shows such as Jerry Springer The Opera and Billy Elliot The Musical. Hidden Kingdoms was somewhat of a departure from the norm. With a background fixed firmly in the commercial and jazz scene, this London-based musician can play an assortment of different styles from dirty blues to classical performances. Not only can he reach spectacularly high notes with impressive clarity and striking volume, but on top of this he can hold such notes at length without wavering or (quite impressively) losing consciousness. All in all, Tom Rees-Robert’s musical talent and accomplishments are quite impressive. Watch Tom play a major role in creating the sounds of the Hidden Kingdoms score written by composer Ben Foster, and see how one particular scene required deep in-takes of breath and some fast finger-work.