Well, 2017 is coming to a close. I have done so much this year, that I have to break it down month-by-month.
January – made the long trip to London from Australia after Christmas. I spent New Year in London. I stayed with extended family for a few weeks to get my bearings, start my job at Prospero Teaching (supply teacher agency), and find a flat. I eventually found a flat in Kensington, which is central and accessible to pretty much everything. I love walking in Kensington Park; watching squirrels, pigeons and swans have a go at the tourists. Squirrels actually climb people, hilarious.
February – it wasn’t going to be long before I would need to start singing so I signed up for London Musical Theatre Orchestra sing-through (sitzprobe), which is basically a rehearsal of an entire musical, and then sing it through from start to end with full orchestra, in a day. Great practice with my sight singing (will come in handy when prepping for my auditions later). I managed to get accepted on 3 seperate occasions throughout the year.
March – Spring has arrived as well, with loads of very bright flowers literally popping out of the ground. I’ve never seen so many daffodils, just randomly growing on the streets andparks.
April – Easter break. I went for a trip to Hampton Court, and paid my respects to the Tudors and Georgians. Beautiful gardens in full bloom. I also made trip up to Cambridge, which according to the locals, is not a city but a university that grew larger.
I went and saw the play “Rosencrantz and Guildenstein” at the Old Vic Theatre, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). Had a front row seat so I got best view. The play was very funny, but sad at the end. If you know ‘Hamlet’ then you know what happens to these characters at the end.
May – started auditioning for choirs. I tried out for the BBC Symphony Chorus. I didn’t get in, but did get some good feedback, so I made some adjustments and kept on practicing.
June – audition for the London Symphony Chorus. I didn’t expect too much, as I consider the LSC more prestigious than the BBC Chorus. I was surprised when I got the email to say I’d been accepted, as a second soprano. I would start after August after BBC Proms concerts were done.
I also started with the West End Musical Choir, which is choir that specialises in musical theatre repertoire. The choir consists of smaller groups broken up across different locations in London. There are about 300 members in total. Being a lively bunch, we were often at the pub after rehearsals. The ‘pub’ in England not the same as Australia.
July – it was the summer holidays, so I jumped over the channel by very fast Eurostar train, to Paris. Not knowing too much French, I relied on my Aussie accented English to help me along. For the most part it worked. Apparently if I was British, they’re not as helpful. I learned very quickly to use manners (please, thank you, etc). I ticked ‘climbing the Eiffel Tower’ and ‘seeing the Mona Lisa’ off the bucket list.
As soon as I got back from Paris, I got a front row ticket to see “Hamlet”, starring Andrew Scott (Sherlock, Spectre). It was a very contemporary version, with audience involvement. At one point, Andrew Scott was sitting in front of me. I’ve really got to stop getting starstruck.
I also managed to fit in a day trip to Oxford University. I got mistaken for a student so I was able to sneak into student areas without getting pulled up. I also bought a Harry Potter wand, just so I have one. I found the worlds largest underground bookstore. It literally has everything including the typical fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, maps, music. I could have lived in there.
August – I saw a few more musicals in West End. “42nd Street” was awesome in the old school tap dancing. I also saw a new musical “Bat out of Hell”, based from the music of Jim Steinman and Meatloaf. Absolutely brilliant. I grew up with Meatloaf playing in the house so I knew all the words and sang along. The production has since moved to Canada, but will be back in April 2018 for another run. Might have to go and see it again.
I hadn’t worked for a while, and was getting low on funds so I decided to head back to Australia for 3 weeks. Caught up with family and friends (and my 2 ‘fur-baby’ cats). Sat in a few rehearsals choirs and the musical “Sweeney Todd” before it was to go onstage.
September – I started full time work as a science and biology teacher. I also started rehearsals with London Symphony Chorus, prepping “The Damnation of Faust” by Berlioz, in French…yay. The concert was conducted by Sir Simon Rattle (google him if you don’t know who he is) with the London Symphony Orchestra (they do a lot of the film and tv scores in London), and was recorded for audio and on YouTube. Before the concert, it was announced who was making their Choral and Instrumental debuts so had my 10 seconds in the limelight before getting to work.
October – got to see Ben Lewis (Love Never Dies) as the Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera”. It was hilarious at the end of the show when Ben came out to thank the audience and reverted to his Australian accent. A comment was yelled from the audience, and everyone cheered, “Aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi”. Sydney Olympics has a lot to answer for that chant.
I went to Abbey Road Studios to record with the London Symphony Chorus and London Symphony Orchestra. I consider this the holy grail of recording studios, and the fact I was there to record (not to visit as a tourist) made it extra special.
November – this was admittedly a very difficult month, with a lot of fast changes. Unfortunately I ignored the warning signs and had a complete and utter meltdown, resulting in immediate leave from work. It was pretty ill timed, for around the same time that I was to go onstage with the London Symphony Chorus for Bernstein’s Kaddish, sung in Hebrew. With support from other choir members, I was able to make it through without a panic attack, however I avoided public transport for a few days with the noise and movement of people freaking me out. Let this be a lesson people, don’t neglect your mental health.
I resigned from full time work and returned to the Prospero Teaching Agency, who were really enthused to have me back. This will allow me flexibility to pursue other things, like possible professional singing opportunities, and doing extras casting work in film and tv. It will also allow me to manage my recovery. Thankfully, I’m now doing a lot better.
I started looking into professional choirs, seeking paid work as a singer. I began with the big choir, London Voices. They do the Choral work for films and tv. I didn’t get an audition but they suggested some smaller choirs for me to get some professional experience. I written to a few of the suggested choirs, and awaiting dates for auditions. See how I go.
December – Christmas time. London is covered in fairy lights, and displays. I’m on break from London Symphony Chorus, but still quite busy with West End Musical Choir with Christmas gigs. I’ll be returned to Abbey Road studios to record again with the West End Musical Choir.
I’m spent Christmas in the USA, with family. Went to Vancouver, Canada and enjoyed some down time in Anacortes, Washington. Had some fun in the snow at Leavenworth and Wanatche.
So I’ve been pretty busy this year, with ups and downs. I’ve kept singing on my Smule (singing app) and my following is growing.
Thank you to my friends and family for all the support, for what has been a very busy year.
2018 is surely going to be pretty cool too. Bring it on!!!
Till next time…
Sarah Talbot 
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