Latest News
August 2011 – Exciting Prospects!
After graduating from university a couple of months ago I was quite apprehensive about what would come next but things are looking up! Next month I start my new job teaching singing and have been asked to boost the chorus for Huddersfield Youth Opera in their production of Janáček’s Jenufa.
Most excitingly, I have landed a gig with Manchester rock band James as part of their UK tour, they required a small group of 16 singers to perform with them in venues around the country including Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
Check back soon for more information....
BBC Proms with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Orchestra
Mahler Symphony no.2, need I say more? Probably not but I will do anyway! The National Youth Choir of Great Britain was asked to provide a choir for the BBC proms series with world-leading conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Orchestra. We met in London, had two short rehearsals and were then thrown into the action. The orchestra, which had 12 double basses, played emphatically in front of us but we more than held our own! The prom was live on BBC 2 on Saturday 6th August, my first time on UK national TV, hopefully not the last either.
Guardian 5* Review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/aug/06/prom-29-simon-bolivar-symphony-orchestra-review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWIsuM1gkNs
July 2011 – Dorset Opera does Tosca and Otello
I’ve recently returned from the Dorset Opera Festival, after performing in the chorus for both Puccini’s Tosca and Verdi’s Otello. The festival took place over a concentrated two weeks where we learnt the music, the stage was created and the operas came together to a truly professional standard. I had the chance to work with singers who had managed to build illustrious professional careers for themselves, working at some of the top opera houses in the world, with Dame Josephine Barstow directing Tosca and Otello being played by renowned tenor Ian Storey. It was incredible to work with such fantastic musicians and have an amazing time doing so!
May 2011 – The Music of David Lancaster
A great honour this evening to have stood in front of an audience to perform a song cycle with the composer present. I was asked to perform the cycle in a concert solely of David Lancaster’s music after the composer heard me sing a piece of Bach during a previous chamber choir concert.
April 2011 – Gala Concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall
I have just returned from another National Youth Choir course, some beautiful repertoire and a huge Gala concert to finish off at the Birmingham Symphony Hall, involving some of the younger training choirs, which was well received by the large audience. The main choir is currently in the middle of recording a number of Baltic pieces for a new disc which is scheduled for release early next year, truly wonderful music, even better to be a part of.
March 2011 – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & Preston Cecilian Choir
After reading an article in BBC Music magazine about a crazy Italian conductor, named Marco Fanti, who commuted from Bologna to Preston every single week to conduct the Preston Cecilian Choral Society I was excited and intrigued to see just why he decided to make this weekly trip. I auditioned for the choir and was invited to sing in their upcoming concert with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic at the Guildhall, Preston, where we sang Brahms’ German Requiem. The concert was fantastic, so much passion for this great piece of music and another opportunity to sing every single week.
December 2010/January 2011 – New Year’s Eve at the Brewhouse
New Year gigs always seem to have something different, an atmosphere that I can really feed off. I decided to try out some new numbers on this gig which went down a treat, fast paced and exciting to bring the New Year in with spirits soaring, great gig!
October 2010 - Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man 10th Anniversary Concert & Recording
The National Youth Choir of Great Britain were asked to make the original recording of arguably Jenkins’ best work and were invited back for the anniversary gig and new recording. The week began with a recording of his new work Shakarim for choir and orchestra, ending with a large concert at the Royal Festival Hall, London of The Armed Man. The whole thing was a fantastic experience, getting to record with EMI Classics at Angel Studios, London for a second time, as well as another major concert venue ticked off the list!
Summer 2010 – Old Links Golf Club President’s Day
After a successful gig on New Year’s Eve at the Old Links Golf Club I was invited back for another stint for the annual president’s day dinner and, just like last time, another great success! A couple of sets with everyone in the room on the dance floor, always a fantastic audience!
April 2010 – Karl Jenkins, Gloria / Te Deum Recording
I was recently invited down to London, representing the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, to record Karl Jenkins’ new work Gloria / Te Deum. We had a couple of rehearsals and then straight into the studio to record the work in a short space of time with the fantastic London Symphony Orchestra. The recording was met with some great reviews and spent a number of weeks on the top spot of the classical album charts!
‘Accompanied by an LSO on top form, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain produce the deep, strong wall of sound needed in the punchier movements, and luscious creamy richness in the second movement 'Laudamus Te'.’
- Charlotte Gardener (BBC Reviews)
February 2010 – Wedding at the Marriot Hotel, Liverpool
The first gig of 2010 was a success, a wedding reception at the Marriot Hotel in Liverpool. The night started well with a quieter set while people had their meal, finishing with a second set of big band hits getting people in the mood for the night ahead! It always feels great when the whole room is dancing to your music.
December 2009/January 2010 – New Year at Bolton Old Links Golf Club
Bringing in the New Year with a bang! For the first time since I began singing I was invited to bring in the New Year at Bolton Old Links Golf Club. I sang three sets where I built the evening up to its climax counting down into 2010. I had an absolutely fantastic time with everybody at the event up and dancing, a great way to spend the New Year!
December 2009 – Wigan Athletic Staff Christmas Party
After singing at the 10th anniversary of the DW stadium in August I was invited to sing at the Wigan Athletic Manager, Roberto Martinez’s staff Christmas party. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, had some great feedback and it was nice to be invited to celebrate Christmas with my favourite football team.
December 2009 – Christmas at the DW Stadium
Over the Christmas period I have done four gigs at the DW stadium, where I sang a set with a couple of Christmas songs to get the crowd in the mood for the rest of the night. The sets were well received on all of the evenings and it was great to be invited back for a 2nd year.
September 2009 – BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall
One of my greatest experiences yet. I was invited to sing as part of a choir made up of the best youth singers in the country, to perform Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Halls in London as part of the BBC Proms series. The performance was met with 5* reviews in leading national newspapers and with a number of standing ovations. Absolutely amazing!
www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/07/proms-messiah-review
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalconcertreviews/6151446/BBC-Proms-Messiah-review.html
August 2009 – DW Stadium 10 year Anniversary
It’s all go at the moment! One day since my return from America and back on the gig scene. I was invited to perform at the 10th year anniversary ball of the DW Stadium. I performed a single hour set which was tiring with the jetlag but well received.
July/August 2009 - West Coast of America Tour
I have recently returned from a 4 week tour of the west coast of America with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. The tour included a number of fantastic cities such as San Francisco, San Luis, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. Whilst there we performed to over 7 thousand people in the Mormon Tabernacle, recorded a national TV broadcast to over 6 million people and played at the prestigious Walt Disney Concert Hall, L.A. I had the time of my life. |
