As both an accountant and a former opera singer, I’m used to a life of contrasts.
One foot in spreadsheets, the other in stilettos at The London Palladium.
So when I saw the BBC Proms 2025 line-up – featuring everything from Verdi to video game soundtracks and yes, even a Traitors Prom – I nearly dropped my (perfectly balanced) calculator.
Now, for the record: I’ve watched The Traitors. Both versions.
Loved the UK one – all that gothic drama and Claudia’s wardrobe! But the US version? Full of fakery and reality TV wannabes desperately playing for the camera and continue their “fame” from things like Housewives, The Batchelorette, Survivor, Drag Race, Big Brother etc. I couldn’t bear it.
That said… I do still have a soft spot for Alan Cumming. Now he’s fronting a Prom as well as the BAFTAs, I’ll at least give that a listen. Preferably with a strong cup of tea and my scepticism on standby.
But here’s the twist – I’m actually delighted to see this eclecticism at the Proms.
Because here’s what it really shows: tradition doesn’t have to mean resistance to change. You can honour what came before while making room for something new.
That’s not betrayal – that’s evolution. And frankly, it’s music to my ears.
This isn’t about diluting excellence – it’s about widening the invitation. You can still get your Mahler and your Monteverdi, but now there’s room at the table for Mario Kart melodies and Doctor Who symphonies too.
It’s not a dumbing-down; it’s a tuning-in to the full spectrum of culture.
And there’s a lesson in that for all of us.
Whether you’re running a business, managing a team, or simply wondering how to stay relevant in a fast-changing world, the same truth applies: you don’t have to throw out the classics to welcome in the next act.
As “The Singing Accountant,” I often help clients modernise without losing the magic that made them special in the first place. A new look? Sure. Smarter systems? Absolutely. But the values? The tone? The soul? That stays.
So if the Proms can evolve with style – so can we. Whether you’re leading your own company, running your own books, or just trying to make sense of it all, remember this:
New ideas and fresh themes don’t make a time a traitor. They’re just the next movement in a very long, very rich, and often surprising symphony.
And if you need help keeping your business in tune – you know where to find me.
