St Pauls
In February, I recieved a text 'out of the blue' about an opportunity to sing with a brand new, professional chamber choir in Melbourne. Including the time I took to re-read the text, it took roughly 11 seconds to be very interested indeed.
Jonathan Grieves-Smith (chorus director of the MSO) was forming a new choir, in part to give Australian composers a chance to have their music performed at an international standard, and in part to provide opportunities for young singers to perform some of the wonderful choral repertoire, that they might not otherwise get.
I had to check dates, flights and the willingness of my wife to release me for the week etc. but somehow it all came together and I was on board. I had the scores sent to Snug, Tas, so I could get a little study in before I met up with a group of people that I largely, had not worked with before.
First rehearsal was great, the highlight being some very amusing metaphors and anecdotes from the director. He kept me smiling pretty much the whole time. My partner in the alto section was one Max Riebl, also being the guy who passed on my details to get me the gig. Thanks young Max. I reckon I had the best spot in the choir, singing between Max and Anna.
First rehearsal was great, the highlight being some very amusing metaphors and anecdotes from the director. He kept me smiling pretty much the whole time. My partner in the alto section was one Max Riebl, also being the guy who passed on my details to get me the gig. Thanks young Max. I reckon I had the best spot in the choir, singing between Max and Anna.
Max with 'game face'
I stayed for the week with Matt McDougall, in Hawthorn. It was great hanging out, watching the NBA, meeting for coffee, watching the NBA, cooking, more NBA etc. Very convenient to be able to jump on a tram at the bottom of his street, and hop off for rehearsals at St Pauls cathedral, in town.
Rehearsals went really well, and the metaphors kept flowing. My personal favourite was when Jonathan asked the tenors to be more generous and luxurious with their sound...."like two-ply toilet paper".
The day of the concert arrived, and I decamped to Carlton, where the Riebls had generously offered me dinner and a bed before my early flight the next morning. Max and I did a little practice, the Sheppard In Manus Tuas was to be performed by countertenor, tenor and bass only. No female altos! Then we settled down to a fabulous dinner for six, including Max's mum, and brother Felix, Felix's girlfriend and a family friend.
The concert went really well, and despite being primed to expect six or seven in the audience, there were a good many people that had come along to listen including some supportive relatives of Emma (thanks Dugal and Kylie)(and Peter and Jenny!)
It was a great week making music with new people, and as luck would have it, earning a little bread as well.
The concert went really well, and despite being primed to expect six or seven in the audience, there were a good many people that had come along to listen including some supportive relatives of Emma (thanks Dugal and Kylie)(and Peter and Jenny!)
It was a great week making music with new people, and as luck would have it, earning a little bread as well.
all done!
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