Name: Rosanna, Soprano

Job: Learning Developer
 

How long have you been a member of The Nottingham Harmonic Choir - what other choral/musical experience do you have?

I'm a relatively new member of the choir - I joined in January 2025. Music has been a part of my life from a very young age: I started playing the piano when I was four and took up singing lessons when I was ten. A little later, when I wanted to join an orchestra, I learnt the oboe and the viola. During my school years, l was a member of every ensemble I could get involved in and music filled most of my free time. Singing-wise, I sang in the school's chapel choir and performed in the choir and as a soloist in various concerts at school and at venues in the local area.
 

What drew you towards joining?

As an adult, I've dabbled in music in fits and starts, playing the piano and singing off and on, always missing the musical routine of my school years a little, but not enough to make it a priority in a busy schedule. I have far more hobbies than I used to! I joined the choir quite impulsively - I had been through a rough couple of years and was looking for things I could do and changes I could make that would have a positive impact on me. I knew that joining a choir would do just that. NHC caught my eye based on the repertoire I saw the choir had sung in the past and the need to audition - I was looking for something that would be the right level of challenge for me. Joining was 100% the right decision!  

What do you love most about singing with the choir?

Regardless of how you feel going into a rehearsal, whether itching to sing or tired after a long day, you always leave feeling better. There's a wonderful sense of community about the choir and Richard makes rehearsals a lot of fun. I've only been in a few performances so far but I love it when we're all in it together, giving it our all, and see such appreciative audiences. But I have to say, I enjoy the rehearsals as much as the concerts themselves! They're such a tonic. 
 

What benefits do you get from being a member?

Being part of a community of like-minded people is hugely valuable and when that community is making music by singing together, even more so! It brings me a lot of joy. I did a master's in Psychology a few years ago and for one assignment researched the benefits of singing in a group - although I think anyone who does sing in a choir knows this intuitively. I can't resist adding, though, that I wear a FitBit and my sleep and recovery stats are always better for Monday nights!!!
 

How was your recent experience of joining?

It felt really easy to fit into the choir. Before I joined, I thought I might feel very conscious that I was a "new" member in a very well-established choir, but it wasn't like that at all. It was very obvious from how well the process of first rehearsal to audition to membership was organised that the choir is very used to accommodating new members and is very welcoming in doing so. I didn't spend long feeling "new"!
 

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

Literally - just do it. Just try it. You have nothing to lose and a huge amount to gain!
 

What is your favourite piece of classical/choral music?

I'm not sure I can choose just one! I'm a sucker for anything Romantic/Impressionist and Chopin is probably my all-time fave. Beethoven's Choral Fantasy holds a special place in my heart: my school's choral society performed it, but for this one I stepped out of the choir and played the piano part. It's a phenomenal work and that was an experience I'll never forget.