Each week, the OUMS newsletter features an interview with someone who positively contributes to the Oxford music scene. This week we sat down with singer and conductor Hattie Twigger-Ross to ask about her work with Schola Cantorum, Oxford University Chorus and the bewildering array of singing she manages to find time for at Oxford!
Hattie Twigger-Ross
Conductor and Singer
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I'm Hattie, a second-year music student at Queen's. Aside from occasionally doing my degree, I spend most of my time in Oxford singing or conducting. I'm a Choral Exhibitioner in Merton College Choir; Musical Director of a uni a cappella group, The Oxford Alternotives; president of the Eglesfield Musical Society, and the current conducting scholar for Schola Cantorum, as well as the Chorus Representative of Oxford University Chorus. I grew up as a chorister in a parish church so choral music has aways had a special place in my heart - it was basically the whole reason I chose to come to Oxford, and I'm so glad I did!
What are you working on at the moment?
Well I'm recovering from a very busy 7th week which involved a Brahms and Schumanns concert with Schola; the Mahler 2 concert with OUChorus; two oxmas a cappella concerts; and two advent carol services! As 8th week rolls around though preparations are still going for the Schola Christmas concert on Thursday (30th Nov), as well as more carol services and Merton's premier of Gabriel Jackson's The Christmas Story on the 9th December. Looking further ahead, EMS are busy preparing plans for our Trinity Musical, which is going to be Sondheim's Into the Woods - check out our socials for how to get involved!
What has your favourite musical experience been at Oxford so far?
There are so many to choose from, but one that will always stay with me is singing Bach's St. John Passion at the Barbican with Merton in April last year - such a phenomenal piece and venue.
Where can you see yourself going in the future? At the moment I'm really not sure! I'd love to be able to continue working with choirs, whether that is as a conductor, singer or both. I also love the academic side of music so I can see myself pursuing further study after my degree. Overall my aim is just to stay involved in music.
Give us a music recommendation!Â
As we move into the Christmas season, I'd recommend two very different settings of the text "Bogoroditse djevo" (the Russian version of "Ave Maria"), which is often used in advent and Christmas services. The first is Rachmaninoff's absolutely gorgeous setting from his Vespers; and the second is Arvo Pärt's setting which is super fun and joyful.
To find out more about the OUMS newsletter and our interviews, email Christopher at secretary@oums.co.uk.
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