Name: Anderson, Alto

Job: Biological Scientist - Research Fellow
 

What is your music background and how long have you been a member of The Nottingham Harmonic Choir?

I joined in April 2024. Before then, I sang in several choirs in Nigeria; church choirs, The Klassique Klobb Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, The Ibadan Philharmonic Society, and the University of Ibadan Choir; and in Austria with the Graz University Choir, Herz Jesu Catholic Church Choir, and the choir of the Stadtpfarrkirche.  My mum sang in the church choir back in Nigeria, and I grew up accompanying her to rehearsals. That is really how everything started for me. Because I always sat beside her, and she sang alto, I naturally ended up singing alto too. My love for choral singing grew from there, and I went on to explore many choirs and choral societies over the years. I have also performed solos and sung several roles, including “Israelitish Man” in Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus, Vivaldi’s Introduction and Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah.
 

What drew you towards joining?

I love singing, so it was natural for me to search for choirs in Nottingham even before moving here. After a bit of research, I shortlisted three choirs and contacted them for taster sessions. Nottingham Harmonic was the first one I attended, and at the end of that rehearsal, I just felt there was no need to try anywhere else.
 

What do you love most about singing with the choir?

I love that we perform a wide range of serious music throughout the year. It keeps me on my toes, especially as almost everything I’ve sung with the choir (apart from Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria) has been completely new to me. The music can be challenging, but the fulfilment after a successful concert always outweighs the difficulty of learning it. I also appreciate that we have singers at different levels of proficiency, yet everyone is fully accommodated. There’s a lot of encouragement in the room, people compliment each other after pieces in rehearsal, and there is a genuine enthusiasm to learn, no matter how demanding the music is. For me, the challenge is part of the joy, and overcoming it is incredibly fulfilling. I’ve discovered and performed many new works with the choir, and I’m steadily building my repertoire.
 

What benefits do you get from being a member?

Beyond the singing, I’ve found a community that genuinely cares for me and my family, especially important as an immigrant coming from a different continent. I’ve interacted with members outside choir, and my family and I have been invited into people’s homes. The support I get, especially from members in my section, is enormous. Musically, I learn new repertoire, explore new works, and get opportunities to sing in concerts, all things I truly enjoy.
 

How was your recent experience of joining?

The entire experience was seamless. After my first email to the membership secretary, I received clear guidance about what I needed for the rehearsal. When I arrived, a “new member number” had already been allocated to me, and there was a pack with music and printed information waiting. I was guided to my section straight away, and everyone around me was friendly and eager to chat during the break and after the rehearsal. I could feel the unity, love, and enthusiasm of the choir from the way people paid attention to me. I was even invited for a drink that night after the rehearsal, and someone insisted on paying for me. The audition itself was private and relaxed. There was no reason to feel nervous as Richard made me feel completely at ease throughout.
 

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining us?

I’d say: do whatever it takes to attend that first trial rehearsal and you’ll be glad you did.
 

Anderson’s favourite music:

Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius