Tom Wornham (top left in the photo from his days in amateur dramatics) from the basses recalls how he found his way to the Royston Choral Society after a 20 year ‘lay-off’ from singing and drama following rejection at school.
My grandmother was probably my first introduction to music – she was organist at Standon Church and she played the piano at home. Otherwise neither my other grandparents nor my parents were particularly musical. It was while at school, aged about seven, that our teacher played the 1812 Overture. He focussed on the cannons in the last movement and it grabbed my imagination – I can remember it like it happened yesterday.
I was in the school choir and can remember singing ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ in my church when I was about eight. I went on to sing with the choir for five years after trying the violin. Then I moved to a new school and, aged 12, I was rejected from the choir! They never told me why, but can you imagine how that felt? I gave up singing and drama for 20 years.
When I was 32, it all kicked off again. I knew about the Royston Choral Society, but I was asked to audition and bolted! I did ten years with Ware Operatic – I absolutely loved doing Gilbert and Sullivan – so witty and clever. But although I enjoyed it, it didn’t grab my soul – I missed singing in harmony with a group of people. So I returned years later to the Choral Society because a whole bunch of people from my village also sing in the choir.
I perform amateur dramatics and love being the centre of attention but, when I’m singing with the Royston Choral Society alongside people who are more skilful than me, I’m happy to be part of the ensemble. Don’t get me wrong – I’d love to be up at the front if I was better!
Apart from choral music, I love Cole Porter and Bernstein. When I was little I watched ‘Sesame Street’ on TV and was introduced to Victor Borge – what a character – I love him! When I’m travelling I may listen to ‘In the Mix’ on Radio 3 – it’s new classical music. Unlike Classic FM, they don’t play the same old baloney, and I hate the ads.
What attracts me to the choir? It’s singing some of the greatest music every written with other people. We all imagine what we’d choose for ‘Desert Island Discs’. Thinking about our upcoming concert, one of my choices would be 'In Paradisum’ from Faure’s Requiem. It’s just out of this world – ethereal!