2016 has been a wonderful year with a huge variety of experiences, including Remembrance ceremonies in Normandy and Ypres, concerts for veterans, singing in Tattoos in Northern Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland, oratorio solos, Lied recitals, and thigh-slapping as King Arthur in The Hague’s expat pantomime. It is now two and a half years since I graduated and I would like to use this moment to reflect.

One of the lessons I have learned is that the most satisfactory performances are often nicely unexpected. I first realized this one rainy day back in March, 2010. A friend called me with a rotten cold to ask if I would replace her singing ‘Ave Maria.’ It turned out that I was to sing to a terminally-ill lady in a hospital. I found it very difficult to hold back my tears, knowing that this lady was soon to die and leave her daughters behind.

That same day, I sang for the first time at the Dutch National Opera. A conductor had invited a group of conservatoire students, myself included, to sing as a chamber choir in Dallapiccola’s opera “Il Priggioniero.” I was twenty-four and singing in a world-famous opera house: a potential moment for excitement, even pride. Instead, my thoughts turned back to the seven people in the hospital.

After I graduated, I spent the best part of a year earning through singing alone. Whilst I enjoy singing, I find networking, self-promotion and auditioning tiring, expensive, and demotivating. I therefore decided to be more selective about where and what I sang. Since then, many interesting opportunities have opened to me. In particular, singing with the Band of Liberation and the West Yorkshire Police Band at remembrance ceremonies in Normandy, Ypres and the Netherlands. 

Remembrance ceremonies are humbling. As I stood preparing to sing during the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate on Armistice Day, I noticed the plaque on the wall: “To the armies of the British Empire who stood here from 1914 to 1918 and to those of their dead who have no known grave.” My stomach turned. I had mistakenly thought the thousands of names on the gate were of all those who died in Flanders. But the names are in fact only those who went missing in the battle of Ypres alone: a mere fraction of the total losses.

When one sings at a remembrance ceremony, a children’s hospice, or an old people’s home, it does not feel like a performance, but like an act of service. There is very little I can do to atone for the war dead or for the traumas of survivors. But I can sing, and maybe, though singing, I can show my respect to them and my gratitude for the freedom and comfort in which we live today.

And this is where I find satisfaction in my work: in singing as serving. Of course, it is thrilling when large audiences are appreciative – I will not easily forget the sound of 11,000 people clapping at cheering at the Belfast Tattoo – but the most beautiful moments are when one feels a sense of duty done.

There are already several performances planned for 2017 including remembrance ceremonies in Normandy and Flanders, military tattoos, lied recitals and oratoria.

Men and Brass

On Friday, 16^th December, Emma Brown will sing as the guest soloist with ‘s-Gravenzands Male Voice Choir ‘Eendracht Maakt Macht,’ Westland Brass Band, organist Patrick Hopper, and conductor Freek Elbers. Emma sang with the ‘s-Gravenzands Male Voice Choir when she was a student in 2014. She is delighted to have been invited back.

The concert begins at 20:00 in the Dorpskerk in ‘s-Gravenzands. Tickets, costing €10,00, are available on the door.

O Nata Lux

On Sunday, 18th December, the Leidse Cantorij will perform Emma’s motet “O Nata Lux” in their Advent Concert. Entrance is free: afterwards there is a collection for the choir. The concert begins at 20:00 in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden.

Salon Concert

Meanwhile on Christmas Eve, Emma will be singing in a Salon Concert in the Eemwijkplein series.

Lof sy dat soete kindeken cleyn

On Christmas Eve, Emma’s motet “Lof sy dat soete kindeken cleyn” will be sung by Cantiamo with conductor Nicky Bouwers in De Bron church in Krimpen aan den IJssel. The concert starts at 21:00. Emma is thrilled that her music is to be performed.

Vespers in Amsterdam

Emma will be singing as a guest soloist in the Christmas Eve Vespers in the Thomaskerk in Amsterdam at 17:30. This short church service will last about an hour.

Xenia Christmas Bruch

Emma ends her Christmas singing in the intimate atmosphere of the Xenia children’s hospice in Leiden, where she will sing during their annual Christmas brunch.

A very Merry Christmas one and all! 

On Sunday, 11^th December, Emma will sing at a Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony (Wereld Lichtjesdag) to honour the memory of children and young people and to show compassion to their families. This tradition began in the US in 1997. All around the world, on the second Sunday of December, candles are lit at 19:00 local time.

In Leiden, the Netherlands, the ceremony will be held in the Hooglandse Kerk. The famous family therapist, Else-Marie van den Eerenbeemt, will lead the ceremony. Emma will sing ‘Londonderry Air,’ the song of mother parting with her son, and the lullaby “Wiegala” by Ilse Weber. Ilse Weber was a children’s nurse in Theresienstadt during the Second World War. When the children in her care were sent to Auschwitz, she accompanied them voluntarily, even into the gas chamber. Her simple lullaby is beautiful and haunting.

The event has been organised in Leiden by Xenia Children’s Hospice.

The ceremony begins at 18:45, with the doors open from 18:15. All are welcome.