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The day before the concert is always one of great excitement, the youngsters waking up knowing that their next rehearsal will feature an orchestra – for some, the first time they will have ever sung with instruments other than a piano. Some of the players travel independently but many of them take the early train from London to Norwich where they are met by a bus and then transported into our wonderful Roar world at Gresham’s.

When the players arrive they are greeted by the whole choir already sat in their places – we can’t have 250 people wandering late through the orchestra with their expensive instruments. And by the time Paul takes to the podium and the orchestra have tuned, the singers have been warmed up by Charles and Emily, and we’re ready to go for our last day of rehearsals before the big day.

We kick off with the very first chorus – a  brilliant affair featuring the whole orchestra. Characteristically Paul has opted to perform this piece with multiple doubled winds, so we have 2 flutes, 4 bassoons and an amazing array of 8 oboes, which add a thrilling texture to the sound alongside 2 trumpets and 3 trombones. As singers we have to get used to being further away from the conductor than we have been so far on the course. This means we have to anticipate the beat and have even more eye contact with Paul than usual, but this all comes together quickly as we adjust and it sets the tone for a great day going through the score.

Usually in professional circles we work in 3 hour chunks, but given the age of some of the participants we break this day down into 1.5 hour sessions, aiding stamina and concentration. Though there are many choruses in Saul, the time passes quickly as Paul keeps us on our toes, praising and encouraging in equal measure, and pushing us where further work needs to be done. These youngsters have been working at pace for the last few days and so they easily fit in with the demands made when the professional instrumentalists are around – our players were full of praise for their behaviour, and how respectful they are within the rehearsal setting.

Over the course of the day we are introduced to our top notch soloists, led in the title role by Matthew Brook, and Paul makes time in the schedule for a few scenes to play out so we can all hear some of the amazing music that we haven’t yet heard in our chorus rehearsals. A particular highlight is when our counter tenor soloist, Christopher Lowrey, gives a stunning performance of one of Handel’s most beautiful arias “O Lord, whose mercies numberless”.  Paul also makes time in the rehearsal to introduce the singers to the nature of period instruments and how they compare with modern versions. As so many of our youngsters are instrumentalists in their own right, they are encouraged to speak to members of the orchestra and look at how these old instruments compare with their own.

We finish earlier than scheduled, which is testament to the high level of achievement on the course, giving just enough time for the youngsters who took part in the Musical Theatre masterclass a few days ago to give one final staged performance of “Food, Glorious Food” from Oliver, especially for the orchestra. There can’t be many times that George Frederick Handel and Lionel Bart have sat so memorably and comfortably together…!

While the orchestra and soloists stay on for further rehearsal, the youngster have some free time before the final twilight masterclasses. I take one with five singers giving excellent performances of their pieces by Haydn, Bart (yes, more Oliver!), Goodall (done as a duet) and Britten – and again I am reminded how much I enjoy my job, and how lucky I am to be working with these incredible young people. Everything we give to them we get back in spades.

The day ends, as all days should, with an outside ceilidh led by Mhairi Lawson, Queen of Scots, guiding these wonderful people through dances such as the Dashing White Sargent and the Orcadian Strip the Willow. With the classes and dances complete, many in the vocal faculty decide to have a take out curry to celebrate the end of the residential course before we head to Ely tomorrow. We’re all tired, but at the same time energised – one more push and we’re there!

David Clegg

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