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26 / 08 / 2010 - Johnny's news update
So much has happened since my last pre-KS update! Where do I begin? I’ve finished my brief stint in advertising, sung on two amazing recordings with my old choir from New College, Oxford (watch this space for my solos on the Mozart Reqiuem disc – eek!), spent a glorious week on the south coast of Devon with friends from university, sojourned in the south of France for a week at home with my parents and delicious French bread, and – most importantly – I’ve been on my first tour with the King’s Singers! I had the pleasure of jaunting across Germany with my future colleagues and my illustrious predecessor, Stephen, to see what life will be like as part of the group. I arrived in Weissenburg – a quaint town in northern Bavaria – from Heathrow (how I love T5!) before the rest of the guys, who had performed a concert in Milstatt, Austria the night before and had a mammoth drive on their hands. This gave me one final window of opportunity to check I was note-perfect on some of the pieces I’d committed to memory, and to have a look other music that I knew we’d want to rehearse while I was there. The tour took me across Germany and, in addition to rehearsing repertoire for next term, I had the chance to see the group in action on stage in three concerts – in Weimar and Doberlug, as well as in Weissenburg, and all in stunning churches. Their performances were exceptionally polished, and I was so excited to see for myself how rehearsals are a democratic process where everyone’s point of view is welcomed and considered. I even made some suggestions, though I felt very cheeky doing so at this early stage! It was also lovely to meet some of our friends and fans along the way, and I can’t wait to become better acquainted with them as time goes on. Frankly, however, I was most surprised by how much food the group gets through. Tim kept berating me for being the world’s slowest eater, and on more than one occasion I witnessed my colleagues eating TWO main courses (*cough* Paul…). I think I may have to expand the size of my stomach. Further highlights of the tour included Paul’s persistent threats to auto-flagellate as Chris and I discussed the finer (actually, the finest) points of English grammar, Stephen’s prowess as German compere for our close harmony sets, and David’s piercing eyes as the cockerel in Malcolm Williamson’s The Musicians of Bremen. Other features I’m afraid I cannot include here: particularly enlightening conversations with Phil and certain photos of Paul definitely don’t make it this side of the proverbial e-watershed!
At the moment I’m still incredibly nervous about singing with the group. Every time we breathe together at the start of a piece, I feel like I’m back in one of my auditions, but that, if I disappoint them from now on, they won’t be able to get rid of me! Thankfully, but of course unsurprisingly, the others were all very encouraging, and regaled me with stories of how they’d found it difficult to make the right sound at the beginning of their careers in the group. I kept telling them how, strangely, the hard bits, like co-ordinating choreography, learning music and making contact with the audience, seemed remarkably easy to execute, whereas it’s making that distinctive King’s Singers, breathy sound for close-harmony that comes the least naturally. The others all assured me that I shouldn’t be worried at all, and that they were certain I’d be doing an admirable job of it come my first concert in October. I certainly hope they’re right!
For now, as we enter the final three weeks of the Summer vacation, I’m still house-hunting in South London – though I think my housemate and I have finally found the perfect flat – and I’m working out where I should travel over the Christmas break. To Russia for New Year? To New York? Skiing in Europe? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, my practical driving test is finally booked for the end of October: wish me luck! In return, I hope you’re all having a wonderful Summer, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
