Tell us a bit about yourself, and your training to date.
I studied music at the University of Birmingham and afterwards I was a choral scholar at Croydon Minster while a graduate music assistant at Whitgift School. After that I was a choral scholar at St Martin-In-The-Fields for a year and I currently teach music with the Luton Music Service and work as a freelance singer in and around Bedfordshire and London. In September I will be studying a master’s degree in vocal performance at the Royal Northern College of Music on a scholarship.
What other musical ensembles are you involved with?
I am a Fellow with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain this year as well as a choral scholar with OBS, and last Summer I toured the UK with National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company performing principal roles. This summer I will be in the chorus at Opera Holland Park.
What attracted you to the Oxford Bach Soloists?
I’ve always loved Bach’s music, and it was very exciting to immerse myself in the cantatas and have the opportunity to perform solos with a period ensemble in the beautiful setting of New College Chapel.
What are you most looking forward to as an OBS choral scholar?
I am most looking forward to being tenor soloist in St John Passion over Easter, and gaining experience singing in German. The German coaching we receive is an invaluable skill and helps interpretation so much. I am also excited to be gaining experience of singing Bach in general, as his music can be very challenging both technically and interpretively, and it is a refined skill that is in much demand if one can do it well.
What do you see as the value of ensembles like OBS to young aspiring musicians?
Singing Bach is very challenging, and can only be done if you are singing correctly. Having the extensive coaching and training that we get with OBS is a fantastic way to ensure healthy singing, and the focus on German text and pronunciation is a hugely important skill for singing all kinds of music, not just the works of JS Bach.
