On Wednesday 31 January, our Royal Holloway Choir and Chamber Orchestra will be performing in concert with the London Mozart Players at St John's Smith Square in London.
We caught up with Chloe Wedlake, a second year Music student and Choral Scholar, to find out a bit more about the St John's Smith Concert, and how she balances choir commitments alongside studying for her degree.
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What degree you’re study and what year you’re in?
My name is Chloe and I'm a second-year music student who sings in the Chapel Choir.
2. Can you tell us a bit more about being a Choral Scholar and the performances you do?
Being a choral scholar is fantastic – we get the opportunity to sing a wide range of repertoire in some outstanding venues, such as St Martin in the Fields, and Westminster Abbey. We also get to venture to other countries on our tours, for example over the Christmas break, we travelled to The Netherlands. We also do broadcasts, recently having recorded for BBC Radio 3 and 4 and record a CD which topped the Classical Music Charts in the UK and America.
3. How do you balance choir practice and commitments alongside your degree?
Choir is a big commitment. However, I find that it provides me with a structure outside of academia and compliments my degree, broadening my knowledge of choral works. Juggling these two big aspects of my life has enhanced my organisational skills and time management.
4. Can you tell us a bit more about the St John’s Smith Square concert and your experience and what you’re looking forward to in performing alongside the Royal Holloway Chamber Orchestra and London Mozart Players?
The venue itself is a very exciting place to perform, with musicians such as The King’s Singers recently performing here. It is always a lovely occasion when we get to perform alongside our own Chamber Orchestra from the university and of course the London Mozart Players are a fantastic ensemble, being the UK's oldest chamber ensemble.
5. What is your favourite piece to perform from the concert?
I think because of the message behind the music, I would say that I'm most excited about performing Pearl of Freedom by Joana Marsh. Pearl of Freedom celebrates 100 years since the major step towards getting women the right to vote, and we are very lucky to be singing for its world premiere.
6. Can you tell us a bit about the world premiere of a new commission by composer Joanna Marsh reflecting on the 1913 Derby that is part of the concert? Are you looking forward to it?
I am very much looking forward to performing this piece – it tells the story of Emily Pankhurst and Emily Wilding Davison and the Suffragette movement, including the fateful events that unfolded at the horse races at the 1913 Derby.
7. How do you think these experiences might help your progression as a musician and/or future career?
Whilst I am pursuing a career in teaching music, singing is something I would like to continue when I graduate. The whole experience as a choral scholar has given me a taste of what a professional singing environment is like as well as improving skills such as forward-planning, organisation and time-management which will definitely be applicable in whatever field I work in.
8. Do you have any interesting hobbies or interests that you pursue at Royal Holloway, any clubs or societies?
I play in the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra on the flute which is my first study instrument. Outside of this, I am in the music society where we have events including trips to watch operas, charity bake sales and many more.
9. What do you enjoy most about being a student at Royal Holloway?
The atmosphere at the university is something that I enjoy about studying here. The campus itself has been voted the most beautiful campus in the UK so it is always a pleasure to study and get the opportunity to use spaces such as the Picture Gallery for performances and lectures.
10. What advice would you give someone considering coming to Royal Holloway? Either generally or specifically as a Choral Scholar/Music Student.
That they should visit the campus and come to an open day. For me, coming to get a taste of what I would be doing every day on the choral open day was what made me decide to put Royal Holloway down as my first choice.