Back Home For Christmas

It is wonderful to be back home preparing for Christmas, a time to relax with family and friends, eat lots of tasty homemade treats and dress the tree 🎄. It’s also a real treat to be able to calmly sit with a warm cup of tea and a delicious mince pie, whilst I begin to make plans for next term at College.

Last Saturday was particularly a lovely day, as my parents, grandparents, and my supportive friends including Gill and Terry came to the Royal Northern College of Music to watch my final Messiah of the season and celebrate my Dads birthday. It was very special to return to the RNCM, which I haven’t had the opportunity to visit since leaving their junior department, nearly six years ago to start my undergraduate degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. I could not believe how much this area of Manchester had changed. So many new homes and buildings, a great sign of regeneration, bringing new life to this area of the city. Inside the RNCM, the familiar layout brought back memories of my introduction to the fabulous world of classical singing. However, like outside, there were some exciting new improvements to the internal layout of the Conservatoire.

IMG_1524
Alex Grainger, Tom Newall,, Matthew Mannion, Emma Stannard, and Me

I arrived in the afternoon for the rehearsal the Salford Choral Society was running through their pieces and it was magical to hear them in full voice. I was thrilled to have been asked to join the mixed voice choir this year alongside fellow soloists Emma Stannard, Alex Grainger, and Matthew Mannion. We were accompanied by the fantastic Northern Baroque Sinfonia, with Tom Newall doing an excellent job conducting. The concert hall had a wonderful acoustic and I hope that the audience enjoyed the performance as much as we did.

RNCM Concert Hall
RNCM Concert Hall

 

At the end of the evening, I was able to see my wonderful family and friends for lots of cuddles, snuggles, and kisses. The best part of visiting home!

I really hope that if you get the opportunity to support an event such as this in your local community or nearest city that you jump in and take a chance on it. Because my Nana and Grandad had never been to an event like this before in over 70 years and both of them found it really uplifting and nothing at all like what they expected.

66 thoughts on “Back Home For Christmas”

    1. Merry Xmas Martin, lots of work on my voice this last year I hope you’ll all hear the improvements in my recordings. I’ve been catching up on dissertation and German translations this week but it was my parents last working day today for a week so that’s great.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  4. So pleased that you and your family and friends had such a lovely time. We all need support and I was lucky to have that during my military musical career and ever since in the brass band world. Long may you enjoy what you are doing and also the support you are getting. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and New Year xx

    Reply

    1. Thanks for coming across to my blog Les, I do read all your messages but don’t always have time to answer all the lovely Facebook comments too. Thank you for your lovely wishes for my future 🙋🏼.
      My best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  5. It was a lovely evening Charlotte. You performed beautifully and both me and Terry really enjoyed it. Hopefully I’ll see you later this week. Enjoy your Christmas holiday 😘

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    1. Merry Christmas to you and David, all the best for a great 2018. Been planning some painting over the holidays with my Mum always relaxing whilst listening to the new songs I’ve got to memorise.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  12. Great pics. “Dressing the tree” is a phrase we don’t use here in California. We have a tree and put lights and stuff on it, but dressing we save for salads. May the Lord be with you this Christmas season.

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    1. Some people even have skirts for the base of the tree 😀. We have two lovely artificial trees we’ve had for years. My Dad has to tie them with string to the wall and ceiling they’re so full.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  13. Happy Christmas Charlotte. It has been super to read about your progress and I look forward to hearing about your career in 2018. Try and relax over the festive period. I am busy rehearsing for our local panto!

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  14. Believe it or not, Charlotte, my better-half at this moment is on our lap top looking to see what is performing in our area!! Enjoy every moment of this wonderful journey that is your life!!

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  17. It’s wonderful spending time with family and friends in such a fun way. I’m sure you were fabulous as always!! Merry Christmas and a healthy & Happy New Year! Much love & hugs ❤️ xx

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      1. Thank you, dear Charlotte! 💕 I thought of you today while listening to Andre Bocelli who has a beautiful voice. I think you would sing fantastically with him!

  22. Hi, Charlotte. Happy Birthday to your Dad. What does it mean for a concert hall to have a wonderful acoustic? I am listening to Holiday Hits by Nat King Cole to make it feel more like Christmas for me. Take care.

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    1. Hi Eric, good question, for me a wonderful acoustic is a room where the sound carries well without any amplification of the sound (microphones). This had a nice high ceiling and good seating plan, there was no background noise from the street or aeroplanes, this ensures the words are heard clear and free in the space with good reverberation.
      You take care too 🙂 Happy holidays.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  25. We really enjoyed the performance Charlotte, it was a lovely afternoon and evening.
    You looked beautiful in your red dress,and sounded fabulous too .xx

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    1. Brilliant, it was such a late night for you with the long journey home I’m so happy you both came, I could see you smiling at me the whole concert 😊.
      All my best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  26. How nice to be able to return to Manchester for your final Messiah! I am pleased your Grandparents enjoyed the performance.
    Have a lovely relaxing time at home this Christmas and I hope 2018 is even more successful for you than this year has been xx

    Reply

    1. This music career is a bit of a roller coaster ride I just hope to keep in motion and carry on making improvements. I hope you and all your lovely family have a super Christmas.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      Reply

  28. I have to say that, over the years, I can always count on you to bring a little extra good cheer into the world. For that, I thank you. So Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day. 🙂

    Reply

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