Performance runs in the family – John Birchall
Tenor John Birchall is new to the Royston Choral Society (RCS). We asked him to introduce himself as he prepares for his first RCS concert – a performance of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man – on 14th November.
My father took part in World War Two as a performer, travelling all over India as a comedian, children’s entertainer – all sorts of things, occasionally proper plays. He was an RAF mechanic but, as far as I know, he never fired a shot in anger. My mother was not herself musical but she was keen that I should sing in the church choir, and I willingly did so when I was seven.
Many years on, I’m lucky to have a very musical family – my wife’s a professional violinist and teacher, my son’s a composer, and the other two are violinists playing with the City of Birmingham and Welsh National orchestras. So I have no excuse for not getting involved as well.
I discovered the Royston Choral Society through my wife Googling for something and she came across the choir. She told me my voice was ‘reasonable’ so I thought I’d give it a go. It’s going very well so far [after four rehearsals] – people are very friendly and welcoming. I think it makes a difference because everyone wants to be here. That said, I’ve sung in some choirs where I didn’t want to be there!
I’m looking forward to the concert in November – I like the idea of performance. I was a teacher and a lecturer and that’s all about entertainment. I learnt a lot from my father. My advice to anyone who is thinking of joining the Royston Choral Society is – give it a go – people will make you feel very welcome and you never know where it might lead.