It is a pleasure to write the opening piece for the Autumn edition of the Rodolfus Newsletter!
I sang with The Rodolfus Choir for several years, after attending Choral Courses in the late 80s. I remember the feeling that I had found ‘my people’: sparky, energetic, musically expressive and wholly committed to singing and socialising. These really were my formative years and helped me on the road towards an extremely happy career in the singing profession.
I remember the joy of performing in venues all over the UK; many recordings of Parry, Bax, Villette and Grier, and so, so much laughter. The recording that had the greatest impact on me was a disc of works by Francis Grier. I have no doubt that as much as we all loved discovering and singing his increasingly complex and expansive music, he too was inspired by the enthusiasm and exuberance of this choir – the joy emanating from this recording is palpable.
This choir, under the extraordinary leadership and vision of Ralph, has grown into an organisation encompassing the Choral Courses and Junior Choral Courses too. It relies on the generosity and continuing support of patrons and music lovers, now more than ever. It continues to inspire, support and encourage the new generations of young singers, as well as arming them with the necessary sight-reading skills, musical understanding and the bonds of friendship which may be carried with them for the rest of their lives.
I encourage you to visit the Choral Course webpages, and help spread the word about these fantastic opportunities for young singers. The 2020 season of Courses includes a wonderful line-up of events and special guests, and booking is open from 19 November onwards!
Julie Cooper
Autumn 2019
Julie Cooper graduated from The Royal Academy of Music with a DipRAM. Since then, she has worked with most of the UK’s top choral groups, including Cardinall’s Musick, The Gabrieli Consort, The Tallis Scholars, Ora and The Hilliard Ensemble. As a soloist, Julie has performed all over the world, particularly in performances of Brahms’ Requiem. Julie has been a regular member of The Sixteen for over 20 years and has featured in more than fifty recordings with the group. Julie has a particular affinity with the music of Sir James MacMillan, and in the last three years has sung as a soloist with two world premiere performances and recordings of James’s Stabat Mater and Fifth Choral Symphony, Le Grand Inconnu.
When not singing, Julie enjoys teaching, coaching and managing the hectic social lives of her three children and baritone husband, Ben Davies, at home in Oxford.