Name: Owain Dodd
What were rehearsals like in the early days?
For me personally, they were a little nerve-racking initially (in a good way) because I hadn’t been in an adult choir before. Then, when I started to learn the repertoire, the rehearsals got more and more enjoyable.
Did you ever imagine where the choir would be ten years on?
Not quite the extraordinary journey we have been on, but I didn’t really doubt that it had longevity because of the pedigree of singers and the MD’s proven track record.
How has the repertoire changed or evolved over the years?
Just more varied, sometimes very challenging repertoire especially in competitions — and obviously the introduction of backing tracks has taken the choir on a different trajectory.
What’s it really like being part of the choir, beyond what audiences see?
I think the beauty of the choir is that audiences do get to see the camaraderie play out on stage, which is unusual in an MVC. Maybe sometimes later in the evening, after a big concert, it’s best if the audience is not always there!”
What are you most proud of when you look back?
Choir of the World. I think to be crowned above choirs from all genres worldwide is an incredible achievement