I was really excited when I heard that this term, we would be singing Duruflé’s Requiem. I sang it once a long time ago, and had really fond memories of it.

As I expected, I’m enjoying reminding myself of it and getting back inside the music. The sweeping melodies are elegant and touching. The harmony provides an emotional punch, taking us collectively through the impact of death, pain, fear, and paradise. Listening to other parts of the choir rehearse and perform their sections is a treat, and everyone gets their moment in the spotlight.

But I didn’t expect that during this term’s rehearsals, I would be challenged to be a better singer and musician. The extremes of the emotion the Requiem draws us to – from pleas for liberation from hell and death, to prayers of humble thanksgiving – need extremely different sounds and volumes. Phrases move from soft to loud and back quickly and frequently, which is pushing me to improve my control and diaphragm support. The long, sweeping phrases demand great breath management, something I’ve always struggled with. Some of the angst-laden sections in particular have some really surprising chords and intervals, which force me to listen around the choir and use the full choral score on the page.

And it’s not only the Duruflé where I need to step up. I’d never come across Villette’s Panis Angelicus before. It starts beautifully, but deceptively, simple. A friendly C major key signature, and everyone delivering the same text at the same time, means a lovely melody is the focus of the first couple of pages. Then a little bit of harmonic complexity creeps in slowly, and before you know it, you’re singing loudly and extremely in eight parts (not the usual four), as part of a chord where your note clashes with at least 2 others… I guess I need to push myself for this one too, then! I’m enjoying the challenge of making sure I’m exactly in tune, so that the chords sound only as shocking as they are meant to be.

I’ve been singing for many years, but with Vivamus, I never stop learning. I’m loving this chance to keep developing musically, and I’m rewarded by regularly hearing Vivamus singing sublime music week in, week out. Roll on April – I think it’s going to be a good one!

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Post written by Sophie Heard.