IN CONVERSATION WITH

Hugh Beckwith - Musical Director of Cobham based, Elmbridge Choir.

Mark Dowdney talks to Hugh about this non- audition community choir. The 100-strong group loves to perform contemporary pop songs plus songs from stage and screen and timeless choral favourites - all delivered with warmth, energy, and a touch of fun.

You trained as asinger so what ledyou to take on alarge communitychoir like Elmbridge in 2020?
While studying at the Guildhall School of Music I’d had one eye on conducting which looked like a lot of fun. It was lockdown and there was no singing work so when I saw the Elmbridge Choir advert I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring.

You were 23 at the time amid Covid restriction, so how did you manage?
Looking back now it was mad, conducting them over Zoom. It was like conducting a brick wall. They could hear me but they were on mute so I couldn’t hear them! I had no idea how they sounded! When I met them all in person it was really exciting.

The choir performs at many concerts and fund-raising events. How do you keep everyone motivated?
I can’t take credit for this. The members have a real love and passion for singing. They are incredibly self-motivated and have a passion for singing. There’s also such a flourishing social life which everyone enjoys, so I just cruise along with it.

Can anyone sing or do you need a special talent?
I would say that anyone can sing. Around ninety-nine per cent of us can hold a tune and at Elmbridge new members may come along for the ride but find they soon pick it up. Singing is not a superpower; you can improve so quickly.

Did you always want to be a singer yourself or at least be involved in music?
I was very lucky to be involved in high level singing from the age of eight when I joined the Hampton Court Chapel Royal choir. They trained me and I caught the bug. I went on to sing at the Royal Opera, the English National Opera and National Ballet, the Opera Holland Park. and in the West End.

Having also the Atlas Mountains. sung with so How did that go? many prestigious companies do you have a preference?
Not really. I get a kick out of conducting choirs while singing keeps me on my toes musically. I’m really happy to do both – it keeps everything fizzing.

Do you play any instruments?
Piano, oboe, saxophone, and bass guitar.

Last summer you led a singing holiday in Marrakech and Having also the Atlas Mountains. sung with so How did that go?
It was amazing, very intense and so much fun. We did some collaboration with local women and they taught us their Arab songs and we returned the favour. I’m hoping to do the same again in Spain next year.

Do you have any other exciting projects lined up for Elmbridge Choir?
Yes. Recently we held our first Sing Up Saturday which ran all day. It was not a performance – just eight hours of fun music- making and we hope to do more of these. Our next concert is on 12th December at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pyrford, Woking.

Anyone interested in joining the choir please contact via www.elmbridgechoir.co.uk