Charlotte Jackson, soprano

In December I went to the Amabile Christmas Concert which was a feast of singing from all the four choirs; Piccolo Amabile, Poco Amabile, Amabile and Donne Amabile.

I’ve been continuing lessons with Caroline Crawshaw and had an inspirational French Song lesson with Christopher Underwood. I sang at some very touching funerals and a beautiful wedding before Christmas. Sadly some of the other singing I was going to do was cancelled due to the bad weather, but I was able to sing in Kendal Parish Church with my friend Rachel Little for the Christmas Eve Midnight Communion Service.

January began in a quietly amazing way with a week at Crear in Scotland, studying song with Malcolm Martineau. There were seven singers in all, including my sister Louise and me and three pianists. We enjoyed singing everyday as well as observing one other. I sing Poulenc’s Fiancialles Pour Rire and On this Island, Britten. We had a very special time giving a workshop at the local primary school with its 12 pupils who were loving, charming and innocent. We sang and played games with them. Crear is a special place to study – very beautiful, peaceful and atmospheric and it was a privilege to share the time with new friends and learn from Malcolm.

The end of January saw another visit to Glasgow to see the world premiere of War and Peace, Prokofiev, given by students of RSAMD and the orchestra of Scottish Opera. It was very moving.

At the end of next week, I go to Washington DC to give two choral workshops and teach as well as visiting family and friends – can’t wait!