With only a week to go before the Crypt Concert, the Chamber Choir are starting to hit their stride. It’s interesting how, on two consecutive days, you can have to completely contrasting rehearsals. Tuesday night was hard work – the end of a long day for many of the students – and the Jackson and Macmillan are difficult pieces.

A second rehearsal on the following Wednesday, however, was a really tonic; gathered in the round in the old OTE rehearsal room, we had our first complete rehearsal without any piano accompaniment, and worked on all the pieces we’ve (I’ve ?!) neglected whilst concentrating on the more challenging repertoire.

And what a fillip it was: everyone came out of the rehearsal on a real high; flying completely solo, with no piano-safety-net, confirmed that we’re nearing our best.

The final rehearsals loom this week: with the impetus of Wednesday behind us, they should fly by. We’ve actually started to become excited about the concert now, a sure sign that we’re becoming more confident in the music, and can start thinking about really performing the pieces rather than simply singing them through.

Roll on Friday!