Bath Lives
Cardiff lives Katie Thomas
KATIE, FROM CHURCH VILLAGE IN PONTYPRIDD, IS CHOIR LEADER OF THE ROCK CHOIR™ IN CARDIFF. SHE TALKS ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF THE CHOIR, HER CAREER IN MUSIC AND WHAT SHE THINKS OF WELSH SINGERS IN GENERAL
Q. What is the concept behind Rock Choir™? A. The idea for Rock Choir™ came about in 2005, the brainchild of singer and musician Caroline Redman Lusher. The Cardiff choir launched last September. It offers a very different experience from the traditional classical or community choir. There’s no need to audition, read music or have any previous singing experience, it’s something everyone can experience. The weekly rehearsals are fun and entertaining – members can learn well- known pop, Motown, gospel and chart songs, but with an exhilarating range of original vocal arrangements and the chance to perform at some exciting community and national events. Last year, Rock Choir™ raised over £45,000 for charities through its performances and membership activities. Q. How was your interest in music fostered? A. Growing up, I was always surrounding by music – I found the piano before I could walk! Throughout my school years I was fortunate to have tuition provided through the County Music Services – I’ll be forever grateful for this, as it enabled me to go on to study music at Royal Holloway University of London. Following university I worked as a pianist/singer,
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performing at several five star London hotels, and my journey began from there, really! Q. Which contemporary choirs do you admire? A. Aside from Rock Choir™ I admire what Only Men Aloud have achieved in breaking the mould of a traditional male choir – they rock. Simple as that. Q. Which Welsh singers do you most admire? A. Tom Jones is a living legend. I saw him in concert in Cardiff Castle in 2001 and he was just amazing. Tom is timeless, has boundless appeal, and can relate to all generations. There are so many other Welsh singers I admire including Cerys Mathews, Kelly Jones of Stereophonics, Katherine Jenkins – the list is endless. Wales has produced some of the finest singers and biggest stars in music over the years. Q. Which musical event has made the biggest impression on you? A. It has to be Rock Choir™ at Wembley Arena last April. The day was so inspirational and breathtaking – I still get goose bumps just thinking about it. To see such a large number of people come together from all over the UK was incredibly exciting. Q. What is your most treasured (material) possession? A. My piano and violin.
Top: Ruth Jones Middle: Welsh College of Music and Drama
Bottom: The choir in action
Q. Which piece of music always sends a shiver up your spine? A. Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings gets me every time, and teaching at Rock Choir™, Something Inside So Strong [Labi Siffre] is very moving. Q. Which Welsh person in any aspect of public life or sport (either living or from the past) do you most admire? A. Outside of music I admire Ruth Jones – one minute she’s writing Gavin and Stacey, and the next she’s having dinner with Michelle Obama at 10 Downing Street! Q. What’s on your bookshelf at the moment? A. At the moment, it’s covered in Rock Choir™ scores of the songs I’m teaching this term – Something Inside So Strong, You Can’t Hurry Love and Joyful Joyful. Q. Where do live? A. Whitchurch in Cardiff. Q. What are your impressions of Cardiff today? A. I love it! Cardiff has the buzz of a metropolitan city but there’s a real community feel, which is so hard to find in a city today. I love the fact that the city is always evolving. One new building that stands out for me currently is the recent development of the Welsh College of Music and Drama. The building has a lot of memories for me as I used to have violin tuition there, and to see it grow into a truly iconic Cardiff landmark is remarkable. Q. What is your favourite building in Cardiff? A. As well as the Welsh College of Music and Drama it has to be The Millennium Stadium. Whether it’s a Welsh rugby international or U2 in concert, the stadium always connects the audience to the action. I’d love Rock Choir™ to perform there. Q. What is your favourite restaurant in Cardiff? A. A firm favourite of mine has to be the Cinnamon Tree in Pontcanna. Q. Do you have a favourite shop in Cardiff? A. Bejewelled in Castle Arcade – I love their jewellery and their quirky vintage signs and homeware. It’s the place I go to if I’m ever stuck for a gift – it never fails. CL
www.rockchoir.com
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