Next weekend 26/27th October I will be in Blackburn, Lancashire. I was thrilled and honoured to be one of two second year singers selected to represent my Conservatoire, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers. Each year the eight major Music Colleges in England, Scotland and Wales select two second year singers between the ages of 19 to 24 years.
I will be singing five songs in the first round of no more than 18 minutes duration. My Russian friend Olga Ivakina, will be joining me from Glasgow and she will be accompanied on piano by Greta Jackobsonaite.
I will be accompanied by George Todica a third year pianist from Romania, we have enjoyed teaming up together and get along fabulously, he has the same work ethic as me and regardless of the outcome of the competition I have made a new friend that I may not have come into contact with otherwise. I’m really looking forward to my first performance with him and I’m grateful for the practise time that he has provided.

The Kathleen Ferrier Society was formed to celebrate the life and music of Kathleen Ferrier, she was one of the world’s best loved singers. Her voice and warm personality ensured that she became one of the most celebrated British female singers of the 20th Century. Although her professional career was short, little more than ten years, and she died over half a century ago in 1953, she is still held in high regard today and remembered by many with great love and affection.
For anyone interested in joining the society you can find out more here.
If any of you are nearby on Sunday the event is available to watch, I am singing at 12:20 pm in the 10am to 1pm session. I can feel a frisson of excitement run through me just typing that! I hope there is an enthusiastic audience as it helps to get your “performance head on” if you know what I mean? You rehearse and rehearse and I just hope I can relax enough to enjoy the performance because that is what I love to do the most. When I have competed before it has been to test myself and to find ways to improve but this time I would love to repay the faith that the Conservatoire have shown in me and to thank my teachers at the conservatoire for all their help over the last twelve months and especially Kath, my vocal teacher.
If you watch ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ or ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in the States I feel like the celebrities must feel just before they dance. You’re waiting in the wings, everything that you have rehearsed running through your mind, then it’s your turn, you walk on to the stage the piano starts playing and you’re off with not just the audience in the room to please but the judges. At least you don’t get put under a spotlight and the bottom two have to sing off before elimination in front of everyone, I’m only just appreciating how hard that must be. I do wish all my fellow singers a good show and the best of luck to all the pianists who also have an accompanist’s prize to aim for.
OOPS, Charlotte, check your post… half in HTML or something like it…
thanks!
L
Thanks
Thanks for that. I thought something had gone haywire with my computer. Even thought it was a kind of new musical form of writing notes.
Ha ha, over-excitement, I typed it on my iPad instead of in Word, oops. It’s going to be a roller coaster of a week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations Charlotte … I really regret being too far away, but I promise you that my thoughts will be with you for this évènment. And made you do not worry, it is normal for any artist to stress before arriving in front of a jury and the public, even after years of career.
Beautiful black is white, damage your left hand ………..
My best artistic feelings for you
Pascal
Thanks Pascal, I like that word ‘evenment’. I must not worry too much or it will affect my performance 😉
I think it’s just how I’m gripping the fabric, unless it is a French term for ‘break a leg’ 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
No “breaks”, just that your hand seems weird, but I realized that you keep the fabric ………..
You have been chosen, so you trust your teacher, administration, your family, your friends, trust yourself, you are extraordinary
Merci 😉
Charlotte, been there done that. Good luck.
Thanks Don, The IPad is easier to use on the move, it’s a shame they don’t have Word on them.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It’s Apple’s revenge.
It’s Apple’s revenge.
My grandfather played Kathleen Ferrier all my childhood, so I love her voice. Imagine all of us supporters ranged behind the judges – only wish I could be there – and enjoy yourself. Great black and white image; it amazing how monochrome dramatises the image. Love the wistful look.
Thank you Hilary 😉
Just off to bed so I’m glad I saw your message before I switched off.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your photo is beautiful! You will be wonderful. You sing from your heart. Best wishes to you!
Hi Janice, I had several taken in this dress by Sam Pyatt from the Lights, Camera – Action! Post. Thank you for your best wishes,
Charlotte
Live the moment and Good Luck. 🙂
Hi Colleen, “Live the moment” is great advice, thanks for the luck 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Put out your best and good luck!
I will do my best; I’m saving up all these good luck messages from everyone 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very good photo… very professional.
Good luck with what you are doing
Hi Philip, thank you. I have the photo in colour too 😉
All the best
Charlotte
I’m a fan of black and white: it evokes a sense of mystery and it timeless. You also see more contours, subtleties in fabric, etc.
Colour is sometimes too much in photos.
What do you prefer?
When people ask me my favourite colour I say rainbow because I can’t choose just one colour ;). I do like the mono in this one, I’ll post the colour version next week then I’ll make my decision.
LOVE the portrait!
Hi Victor I wasn’t much help as a model for Sam but I think we both learnt a lot from the session 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
knock ’em dead, kiddo.
I’ll do my best 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great photo and fantastic dress too. Best of luck buona fortuna.
Thanks Jim, I’ll be thinking of all your good wishes on Sunday 😉
All the best
Charlotte
beautiful , nice, good. loved.
Thank you 😉 you make me smile.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How exciting! Great post! xx
It is very exciting Elizabeth, the weekend can’t arrive soon enough 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations! I wish that I could be there to cheer you on.
And your photo is so lovely. Truly, you are a star already!
Thanks for the Congratulations Dan. Like Hilary said above I’ll imagine you’re all sat there in the audience.
Twinkle, Twinkle 😉
Charlotte
That is a beautiful picture of you. I also think it’s very cool that there is an accompanist award at the competition as well. Break a leg!
Hello, it is cool that there is a prize for George to aim for, it makes it just as thrilling for him then.
Best wishes
Charlotte
that’s a very becoming picture. You will look great and sound great!
Thanks Bill, I have all the photographs now in Glasgow so you will be seeing more of them over the next couple of months. After the competition I’d love to record the songs I sing with George if we can to share a few with you all.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Best of luck, Charlotte! Hope you enjoy the experience! And that photo of you is brilliant! 🙂
Hello Priya, I appreciate your supportive message. I must enjoy it or there is no point doing what I do 😉 Thank you
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations and all the best 🙂
Thanks Gaurab I appreciate your message it will be a hectic week 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations, what an honour! And very best of luck, enjoy the lead up, enjoy the performance. xx
I am enjoying this month, it is fabulous having something to focus on.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’ll definitely keep my fingers crossed for you! Good luck! 🙂
Thanks Cecilia, I wish I could bottle all of my good luck wishes to open on the day 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
That would be pretty awesome, if it were possible. ^^
congrats and good luck with the big performance!
Whoooh it is a big performance, you know if you’re on a roller coaster and your heading up slowly really high, that’s how I feel right now 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful, wonderful news! I love the word ‘frisson’…and wish I could see you stun everyone with your incredible voice. Break a leg 🙂
It’s a great word isn’t it, I love learning new words, I have a bit of a habit of using new big words in the wrong context so now I try to learn them in full sentences when I come across them. Frisson is my new word this month 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Many congratulations on being selected and good luck for next weekend! I’ll either be at the Millennium Stadium for the Rugby League World Cup or at my nephew’s second birthday party…Here’s hoping we don’t manage to sell the tickets… 😉
I hope you get your tickets for the Rugby although I love little kiddies birthday parties, I used to have fabulous birthday parties my Mum and Dad used to organise, I’m working on them to organise me a 21st next year.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, Your writing is interesting to read, you should think of writing a book about your experiences as you go along life’s journey . your voice is lovely and so are you. I love the photo too,xx
I will always have my blog record, perhaps you could write it up for me Nana xxx
Charlotte x
Big congratulations 🙂
Thanks Alex ;).
All the best
Charlotte
You will perform with all your talent and as always give 100%. Me and Terry will be there supporting you Charlotte… rah rah rah! 🙂
Cheers Gill you and Terry are always so supportive, see you on Sunday 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte x
Congratulations, Like the B&W photo.
Thanks Michael, I’m glad you liked the photo 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulation & the best wishes ! Great photo !
Hello Evelen, thanks for your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I hope you do well.
The monochrome portait of you is of very high quality.
Hi Rod,
So do I!
Thank you
Charlotte
Good luck, Charlotte!
Thanks Cate I appreciate your good wishes
All the best
Charlotte
Very best wishes, Charlotte!
Thank you. Congratulations on your win Sally, I have a great Aunt and Uncle who live in Morley 😉
All the best
Charlotte
Enjoy this moment, Charlotte. It sounds like a fantastic event. Best of luck!
Thanks Dylan, I got the run order at the weekend, know a couple of singers in the event they are fabulous, it is exciting.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I just listened to your O Mio Babbino Caro aria, and I have full confidence that you’ll do well at this event. Best luck!
I’m glad you enjoyed the aria it’s one of my favourites 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful photo, Charlotte! Congratulations and wish you all the best for the event!
Thank you Gargi for your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good Luck Charlotte and half their luck to have you. May you and your beautiful voice lift the audience to a higher place.
I hope so. Your photos are stunning 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good luck in Blackburn at the weekend, not that you’ll need it!
That B+W photo is truly sumptuous. Great publicity shot.
Regards from Norfolk. Pete.
Thanks for your vote of confidence Pete. Best wishes to you and Norfolk.
Charlotte
Congratulation Charlotte, you ll be splendid I m sure, hope to hear you on stage soon… I keep posted
Jessica
Hi Jessica thank you, you’ve just reminded me I must sort out my posters for my next performances and put them on Facebook, the last three weeks have been zooming by.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful, best of luck.
Thanks Beth I think I’ll take one of those chocolate cakes for after the performance 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful site. All the best to you. Thank you for the follow and stopping by.
Best, Nett
Hello Nett, thank you for visiting ;).
All the best
Charlotte
Congratulations and best of luck (although I don’t think you’ll need it)! And thanks for following me.
Hi Olga, you always need a bit of luck, especially when the other singers are so talented, I know a couple of girls and they are fabulous.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations Charlotte. Happy for you.
I’m happy too, just back from rehearsals 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful, Charlotte! And congratulations. I am sure you’ll sail right through it. I look forward to hearing how it felt for you! 🙂 I look even more forward to someday seeing you perform in person at the Royal Opera House (I get to London far more often than Scotland!). All the best, and as they say here in the States, break a leg! Or, perhaps more appropriate for opera: In bocca al lupo!
Thanks Sarah, but it’s not going to be an easy sail :/ I hope it’s smooth and if it is stormy it just gets more exciting, whatever happens I’m just thrilled to enter for the experience and the chance to hear the other singers in my year from all around the UK and their chosen repertoire.
I’d love to perform at the Royal Opera House what a dream come true that would be 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte
I can’t keep saying this, but that is an absolutely stunning photo. It is hard to imagine the colour version being better.
Thanks Martin, I used a similar photograph for the poster for my next event on the 9th November in Derbyshire called ‘Autumn Leaves’, its a beautiful colour when you see it on a blog post next week you’ll have to let me know.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations! 🙂
Thank you 😉 Very excited today. Hate packing though hope I don’t forget anything.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks very much for the follow Charlotte, lovely voice you have and very versatile. The very best of luck with the Ferrier!
Thank you Andrew, I’ve never heard of a professional singing dentist before 😉 two fabulous skills. Enjoyed reading your blog.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow what a wonderful opportunity! Good luck!
Hi Katie,
It was an amazing opportunity thank you 😉
Best wishes
Charlotte