Sue is a second soprano
I joined Viva La Musica in 2016 and sang in their residential at Worcester Cathedral 4 weeks later, that was scary. I am a member of the Soprano section
I joined Viva because – well here’s a funny story. My singing teacher said that it might be a good idea if I joined a top-notch choir that would challenge my abilities and stretch my musical talent. He told me that he knew of a choir in Loughborough, just a few miles from where I live, that was recruiting for their soprano section that might be the right choir for me. He didn’t tell me at the time he was the conductor of said choir!
What I most enjoy about Viva is learning and performing fabulous music with a group of highly talented and dedicated fellow singers. My background in singing started very early, dad was a semi professional jazz musician, mum was from a musical family with my grandad running several choirs, it was just second nature for all of us to sing around the house. Childhood musical interest included, playing in the school orchestra, big band and wind band and singing in the various choirs and madrigal groups, later I started an interest in musical theatre and cut my theatrical teeth in G&S productions.
I still sing with Melton Mowbray Choral Society, of which I am a founder member, and my church choir every week.
Outside of Viva my other musical pursuits or interests are treading the boards with my local musical theatre company, less so since my knees started giving out and dancing has become challenging, but I still sing with them whenever I can.
I love singing with Viva and being part of the amazing sound we make, sometimes it makes the hairs on the back of my next stand up and sends shivers down my spine, when it all comes together there is no better feeling. Highlights of singing with Viva have been, gosh, that’s a hard one, there have been so many, but I suppose some of the best times have been our cathedral residential visits, I think our 2023 Ripon Cathedral visit will take a lot of beating and when asked about my favourite repertoire, it's always whatever we are learning at the time! Its always great to be able to look forward to the next concert as being part of a well-honed team giving musical pleasure to our audience.
I have learned a lot about singing with Viva – The conductor’s word rules 😊 but seriously, it has honed my listening skills, the complexity of some of the pieces we do means you have to listen to all the voices around you to ensure you blend perfectly. Also, when singing in a choir you get to experience much about team working, active listening, patience, determination, striving for perfection, tenacity, the list goes on…..
Perhaps a little surprising has been the health benefits gained from singing in a choir - escaping from the stresses of everyday life for a few hours to create beautiful music, singing is all absorbing, and you forget about life’s worries for a while. Secondly, I am a chronic asthmatic, but the lung strength I have developed through singing never ceases to amaze the doctor when I go for my asthma review every year. I am convinced it has helped me manage my condition and prevent asthma episodes. I will never forget the advice my parents were given when I was a very sickly asthmatic child, “get her to sing or play a wind instrument to build up breath control” it has stood me in good stead and has provided me with the most amazing and satisfying hobby over the years.
I joined Viva because – well here’s a funny story. My singing teacher said that it might be a good idea if I joined a top-notch choir that would challenge my abilities and stretch my musical talent. He told me that he knew of a choir in Loughborough, just a few miles from where I live, that was recruiting for their soprano section that might be the right choir for me. He didn’t tell me at the time he was the conductor of said choir!
What I most enjoy about Viva is learning and performing fabulous music with a group of highly talented and dedicated fellow singers. My background in singing started very early, dad was a semi professional jazz musician, mum was from a musical family with my grandad running several choirs, it was just second nature for all of us to sing around the house. Childhood musical interest included, playing in the school orchestra, big band and wind band and singing in the various choirs and madrigal groups, later I started an interest in musical theatre and cut my theatrical teeth in G&S productions.
I still sing with Melton Mowbray Choral Society, of which I am a founder member, and my church choir every week.
Outside of Viva my other musical pursuits or interests are treading the boards with my local musical theatre company, less so since my knees started giving out and dancing has become challenging, but I still sing with them whenever I can.
I love singing with Viva and being part of the amazing sound we make, sometimes it makes the hairs on the back of my next stand up and sends shivers down my spine, when it all comes together there is no better feeling. Highlights of singing with Viva have been, gosh, that’s a hard one, there have been so many, but I suppose some of the best times have been our cathedral residential visits, I think our 2023 Ripon Cathedral visit will take a lot of beating and when asked about my favourite repertoire, it's always whatever we are learning at the time! Its always great to be able to look forward to the next concert as being part of a well-honed team giving musical pleasure to our audience.
I have learned a lot about singing with Viva – The conductor’s word rules 😊 but seriously, it has honed my listening skills, the complexity of some of the pieces we do means you have to listen to all the voices around you to ensure you blend perfectly. Also, when singing in a choir you get to experience much about team working, active listening, patience, determination, striving for perfection, tenacity, the list goes on…..
Perhaps a little surprising has been the health benefits gained from singing in a choir - escaping from the stresses of everyday life for a few hours to create beautiful music, singing is all absorbing, and you forget about life’s worries for a while. Secondly, I am a chronic asthmatic, but the lung strength I have developed through singing never ceases to amaze the doctor when I go for my asthma review every year. I am convinced it has helped me manage my condition and prevent asthma episodes. I will never forget the advice my parents were given when I was a very sickly asthmatic child, “get her to sing or play a wind instrument to build up breath control” it has stood me in good stead and has provided me with the most amazing and satisfying hobby over the years.