Teaching
Several students are preparing for entrance auditions and choral scholarships to Conservatoires and Universities over this month and into the New Year. Preparations
are generally very well ‘in place’ with repertoire items, but it is often the sight reading and ear tests that give the greatest anxiety. Always approach these aspects with confidence and go with your instinct: that will be the most reliable, to achieve accuracy and fluency. Best wishes to you all.
Concerts
This is the busiest time of the year with several concerts to conduct: excellent performances with Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir and Harrogate Choral Society have already taken place with repertoire including Haydn, Mozart and Elgar. Outstanding was a performance by Gaynor Keeble in Elgar’s Sea Pictures, sung with confidence and total conviction (from memory) and having the audience spell-bound throughout.
I always enjoy Messiah and this winter will be no exception! I try to make it sound fresh and exciting at every performance. Annual Carol events I conduct in York Minster and Wakefield Cathedral are always fun and hopefully bring out the true meaning of Christmas.
Recitals
I shall be accompanying singers in several recitals over the next few months in various venues. The broken finger I sustained in March is still a concern, but I still manage to get great enjoyment in these partnerships.
Examining
A couple of days of diploma examining for ABRSM before Christmas working with co-examiners is always enjoyable and stimulating. I will be leading choral workshops and adjudicating in the New Year.