On Sunday 31st May five of us travelled to Birmingham to a "Come and Sing" in the magnificent Symphony Hall. During the afternoon, we practiced Brahms Requiem in German under the excellent tutelage of world famous Simon Halsey CBE., inter alia, the Musical Director of the C.B.S.O. Chorus. We were amused that his warm up exercises were almost identical to those of our musical director, Sophie Hawthorn. (who is copying who?). He gave the assembled choir of appromately 500 voices expert advice on the German pronunciation. It was clear from the start that Simon was a relaxed, humorous and instructive professional and it was little wonder he is world renowned. We were very privileged to be there in his presence.
The first part of the afternoon passed very quickly before we were joined by the full C.B.S.O. and soloists: Hilary Cronin, Soprano and Jure Počkaj, Baritone for the final rehearsal. The whole event then stepped up a gear. Both soloists performed beautifully and had a great raport with Simon.
We had an hour and a half to have dinner before the performance proper which started at 7:00pm.
It was wonderful singing as part of such a huge choir in the magnificent Symphony Hall with a world renowned conductor. What musical heaven!