2016 Performer Profiles:

No.9 – Amy Wood (soprano)

Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2016 Southwell Music Festival.

“The very high standard of Festival performances is due to the quality of our visiting musicians. I thought our audiences would enjoy getting to know some of these very special players and singers so are publishing a short series of profiles in the days leading up to the Festival.

Please introduce yourself:

“Hello, I’m Amy Wood, soprano in Festival Voices and the ‘Unleashed’ close harmony group, too. I have been coming to Southwell Festival since the beginning, and it is one of the absolute highlights of my year, not just because of the fantastically high level of music-making, but because it is basically an excuse to see a lot of wonderful old (!) friends. I went to Manchester University with Marcus and several other festival musicians, so there is always lots of fun, reminiscing and the occasional pint.”

What piece are you most looking forward to singing at the festival this year?

“Gerontius. I will be weeping. It is a magical piece, and although I’m obviously looking forward to contributing in the choral parts, I also cannot WAIT to hear my dear friend David Butt Philip singing the title role. He’s a bit good.”

What exciting projects do you have coming up after the festival?

First of all, I have made sure I have a little rest afterwards. Southwell is so full-on for the performers, particularly those in multiple ensembles, that I now know from experience that I will be mentally and physically zonked at the end of it!

I have lots of fun singing to do all over the world in the next few months, including a couple of days in Salt Lake City which I’m really looking forward to. Aside from singing, I’ll be going back to my teaching jobs, and also embarking on a counselling course, which should fit perfectly around my life as a freelance singer. That’s the plan, anyway. Any free time will be taken up with colouring, yoga-ing, reading, running, Netflixing and hanging out with my awesome nieces.