An ‘amazing’ year for TPC scholars

Bella Hulbert and Eve Garrard talk about what they’ve gained from the scholarship

Bella Hulbert

BH One of the highlights was getting a big work, like Elijah, under our belts; for me that was a really good experience. It wasn’t just doing the step-out solos but also singing with the choir and having to go between the two, dealing with the logistics. It was also my first experience of singing with a full symphony orchestra.

EG My musicianship has developed and benefited in ways I hadn’t expected. I had a lot or previous choral experience but doing regular warm-ups is a new discipline for me; one that gets me into good vocal habits for the duration of the rehearsal. Leading the warm-ups occasionally has also done a lot for my confidence and for my singing.

I’ve learnt a lot from Harry…. within the choir, there are lots of great singers but there are differences in ability. Harry is able to meet everyone at their level and bring them up to a really excellent standard; he does it in a way that’s inspiring and he does it with good humour. As someone who teaches singing, learning how to do this is invaluable.

Eve Garrard

It’s enjoyable to have a regular mid-week activity…

BH It’s really nice to have something regular you do every week; something where you build relationships with the choir members, with the other scholars, and with Harry and Richard. It’s like a musical family but not a conservatoire family, which gives it completely different atmosphere. At the Royal Academy of Music, there’s the feeling that I’m there to improve, to impress and to compete. That has its own value in pushing you and making you a really strong musician. But it’s great to be in a position where I’m not competing directly with the other scholars. With Harry and Richard, you’re being mentored, supported, but not always being judged. I’d recommend to any conservatoire musician to step out of the conservatoire environment for a different experience.

EG Coming from a full-time teaching job, it’s good to make music with other adults without being the one running things. I really enjoy being part of a community of very different people: whether they are working full-time, part-time, or retired, everyone’s at a different place in their life but music’s important. Beyond that, it’s been good for me to be pushed into singing exciting repertoire, to be singing solos. If it hadn’t been for the TPC scholarship I don’t think I would have done any solo singing this year. And it’s pushed me into having singing lessons even though I don’t really have time.

… and the cake?

EG There is a very good plum coat that Sooty makes but there are always amazing cakes on offer at the break. It’s part of what makes me feel so looked after by this community. It’s really important for young scholars like me who are just making their way in the world and living away from home. It’s really nice to have an inter-generational community – like a church family – something quite homely for me about coming here.

BH If I’m ever feeling a bit tired on Tuesday, the cake keeps me going!

On singing with an amateur choir …

BG For me to feel passionate, it requires discipline, and if everyone really cares – which at TPC they do – then it’s really rewarding. It’s music making and that’s enjoyable if there’s discipline involved. That’s all that matters, whether professional or amateur.

… and the Scholars’ Reunion/Recitals

EG My parents came to the Scholars’ Reunion and they were welcomed with open arms. It was so lovely – and very valuable: I had met some of the scholars before on the circuit and I quickly re-established connections, so a great network to be part of.

BH It’s heartwarming to see so many people coming to the Scholars’ Recitals. It was something I hadn’t expected at all – that people would come to support us singing solos, to support us as people.

 Looking forward to the June concert….

EG I’m looking forward to singing Dido’s Lament in the June concert and to hearing the other scholars’ solos. There are also some very complex orchestral reductions that Richard is playing and that adds so much life to what we’re singing. I think all of the solos in that concert will offer something different and exciting.

BH It’s challenging because we’re singing in such a range of languages but it’s going to be such fun. And it will be nice to see the choir in their brightly coloured shirts, rather than formal wear. But more than anything, I’m excited to be singing Brindisi with Ben!

 Summing it up, both Bella and Eve agreed: “It’s been amazing!"