Meeting some of the singers with the University Chamber Choir. This week, alto Charley Tench.

At the Albert Hall: Charley Tench

How did you get into choral singing? I started singing in my local church choir back in Harrogate when I was six… only because the choir got the best biscuits and squash after church… Thank heavens for custard creams and Ribena!

What’s your favourite piece ? My favourite piece is Christus Factus Est by Bruckner as it was one of the most incredible and challenging pieces I’d ever sung. The outcome was always spectacular as it’s so powerful. Definitely a goosebumps moment!

What’s your best/worst memory about singing in a choir ? My favourite moment(s) are singing in Westminster Abbey and The Royal Albert Hall with my sixth form chamber choir back home. Both were equally overwhelming and emotional in completely different ways. Pure awesomeness. And my worst was setting a girl’s hair on fire with my candle during the procession of Once In Royal David’s City…

What do you find the most inspirational aspect about choral singing ? I love the balance and harmony of a choir. It’s so natural to get lost in music when singing as a team. It’s fabulous!