Last year, our community choir performed the Vivaldi Gloria with part of the Hampshire Youth Orchestra. This year, we got invited to join the entire Hampshire Youth Orchestra and the Waynflete Singers (a Winchester choir with a major reputation) to perform Mahler’s Symphony 2 “Resurrection” for the opening of the Winchester Festival. It has been a journey, learning our parts (in German) and integrating with a much bigger and (frankly) better choir. But we had our final rehearsal with the orchestra in the Cathedral last night and I think it is going to be awesome.
And then on Monday, we are back to our usual mix of show, folk, pop and gospel for a performance at the Botley music festival. Quite a switch back, given that we have been rehearsing Mahler for a month or so. It will be another great evening (and we have to groove :D).
I’ve sung for years, (modern worship) music in church and lots of pop/rock for my own enjoyment and a few pub nights, but singing in big group, and getting somewhat technical about it, has been so much fun. There is something about melding your voice into a big group and creating a sound that is really exciting. And it informs my other singing, too. I have better control and am far more confident singing solo/small group because of the big group work.
So if you like singing (even if you think you can’t), join a choir.
Si