I came to university expecting I would be too busy for much music at all, and came upon Clifton Cathedral Choir by chance. A recommendation from a friend brought me to my first rehearsal, and I have been part of the choir ever since. The commitment is less than I expected, and the rewards greater than I had hoped.
Before university, I had some experience singing in choirs, through my home parish and school choirs, but had not found choral singing particularly challenging or exciting. This choir changed that. I can no longer imagine a time without choral singing in my life. We sing music written hundreds of years ago alongside music printed for the first time minutes before rehearsal starts. The breadth is considerable, and each style brings its own challenge. Comparing notes with singer friends elsewhere, I have realised that a choir covering this much ground, at this standard, is rare, and I feel fortunate to have found it.
After a long or difficult week of university work, choir is a welcome break. Two rehearsals a week is more than many university choirs ask for, but with new music each week things never grow stale, and the time is well spent. My sight-reading, group singing, and ability to cover mistakes have all been tested more than ever, and I feel far more confident in these areas than I did a few years ago. I have also discovered composers and pieces I expect to carry with me to choirs I sing with in future.