Princess Mary Keeps An Eye On Her Bearers Of Good Oohs
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday May 1, 2008
IT WAS a gig with a worldwide audience of millions: the marriage of Mary Donaldson to Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.
But for Ebbe Munk, conducting the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir, stage fright wasn't part of the equation. "None of us think so much about it when we are standing there," Munk says. "We would if we weren't so extremely well-prepared." It also helps that the choir performs at all the big royal events in Denmark, including the christenings of Prince Christian in 2005 and Princess Isabella last year. "We know that Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary are extremely fond of the choir and they express their gratitude very nicely," Munk says. "Princess Mary always comes over and says hello to the singers and talks to them. It's fantastic that she pays so much attention to what we are doing." The choir, which consists of 30 boys aged 12 to 13, and 16 men, is one of Scandinavia's oldest choral groups and is steeped in tradition. Its members start their training at the Copenhagen Municipal Choir School, and auditions are open to any nine-year-old boy who thinks he can sing. Of the 250 who try out each year, about 45 or 50 are accepted. They then face a demanding schedule of training - between eight and 10 singing classes a week - and evening rehearsals with the adult singers, on top of their regular school work. They graduate to singing in the cathedral in their third year before becoming members of the concert choir. Many have gone on to perform in the Royal Opera in Copenhagen. As a former choir member, Munk knows how hard the boys work but says the challenge is important and something to be enjoyed. "The good thing was I was just happy to sing, and every child should have the chance to do what they do best. Also, I think I discovered that by doing maybe twice or three times as much work on one piece as I really wanted to, the result became so much better and so much more satisfying."The repertoire covers traditional and contemporary works, including commissioned pieces, which are musically challenging. "It is music where you have to use your adult part of your mind, even if you are a child," Munk says.So, what happens when the boys behave like, well, boys? "I don't want to make them out to be angels but they are wonderful boys who are extremely disciplined," he says. "That comes out of knowing they are having an education worth working for." Munk, who was appointed choir master in 1991, says he knows from experience what the boys go through. "I didn't expect that my career as a conductor would be here," he says. "When I came back, I clearly remembered the situations from when I was a boy myself. There were a lot of things I was concerned about then - being selected for solo parts, singing as a soprano or alto, working with the men and singing masters. I was surprised how well I remembered it, 25 years after I left." The Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir performs at the Sydney Opera House tonight.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
Share This