I’ve really enjoyed my work in 2017: especially the focus on remembrance and work with veterans. A personal highlight for me was singing for the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele. The week began with the ninetieth anniversary of the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission arranged a ceremony to mark the occasion and to commemorate the soldiers listed on the monument. Later in the week, I sang at 05:20 in the morning to mark one hundred years to the minute of the start of the battle.

My work with the Royal British Legion, both in the UK and continental Europe, included ceremonies in Normandy to mark D-Day and the Somme to commemorate the First World War, concerts in the UK, and singing for the annual Prom in the Park of the Dutch branch.

Through my work, I have met some exceptional people. For example, Corporal John Sleep, a Second World War paratrooper, who fought in Africa, Italy, and then landed on Sword Beach in Normandy and marched across France and Belgium to the Netherlands. He described the war as “utterly stupid.” I met him in Normandy and he invited me to sing for his tour group who take an annual pilgrimage to the Netherlands. The concert was for the release of a short film about John’s experience in the war: you can watch it here.

Another inspiring story comes from the Churchill family. Commando Patrick Churchill fought in the Second World War. His wife, Karin, is German. She lost her mother during the bombing in Dresden. After the war, she wrote to Mother Theresa to ask if she might work with her in Calcutta. Mother Theresa replied, suggesting she first improved her English. Karin moved to Oxford, where she met Patrick and fell in love. Their story is one of forgiveness and reconciliation: of love triumphing over war.

On a more personal note, 2017 has had one major setback. Last March I was hit by a car when cycling and I tore several ligaments in my shoulder, which then froze. I understand it will take two to three years before a surgeon can ascertain if it is necessary to operate. Whilst this does not hinder my singing directly, it makes traveling, carrying anything heavy, and most stage work quite tricky. I have therefore been focusing more on ceremonial concert work.

I’m very much looking forward to 2018: I have performances planned in Holland, France, Belgium, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Next week, I’m singing in Bach’s Weihnacht-Ortatorio, and the following week I’m recording a new composition by Roland Bouman: a setting of Vera Brittain’s “Perhaps.” Then we’re off traveling in Iceland – it would be wonderful to see the Northern Lights!

Thank you for reading, and a Happy New Year!

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is the most common form of motor neurone disease, in which neurons controlling voluntary muscles die out, leaving a patient weakened, paralyzed, and ultimately unable to speak, swallow, and even breathe. Its causes are largely unknown.

I don’t normally mention private concerts on this blog, but I found this an exception. Recently pianist Isolde Troost and I gave a house concert of Christmas repertoire. In spite of heavy snow, almost all those invited made it to the concert: all but one, a man called Jan. Jan was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year and he did not want to risk slipping in the ice and snow.

Isolde and I decided to send the proceeds of the concert to the Dutch ALS research charity. On Boxing Day, I visited Jan and his wife at home and gave a mini concert, unaccompanied.

If you are interesting in supporting research into ALS, here are the websites of Dutch, British, and American ALS charities.

“Joris’ Kerstboom” is a Dutch television programme on KRO NCRV in which members of the public are invited to write a message in a bauble and hang it on a Christmas tree. This year, Joris Linssen visited Leiden. A huge tree was placed on the Hooglandse Kerkplein, and for two weeks people wrote messages and enjoyed the Christmas Market. Emma sang during the festivities together with organist Anton Doornhein.

The “Nieuwe Kerk” in Delft, the Netherlands, famously houses the crypt of the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family. It was completed in 1496 and has the second largest church tower in the Netherlands.

On Christmas Eve, Emma will sing as a guest soloist during the church service led by Arnold Vroomans. The service begins at 22:00, with community singing from 21:45.

On 17^th December Emma will sing at the annual Christmas concert of the Veterans’ Institute in Doorn, the Netherlands. The Veterans’ Institute offers a range of services to Dutch veterans and their families. Emma will sing with the Band of Liberation and Pipes and conductor Simon Dubbelaar.

Emma will return to her home town, Nottingham, to sing during the BBC’s Christmas Carol Service on Thursday 14^th December. It will be broadcast on Christmas Eve at 16:00 UK time and on Christmas Day at 13:00. It is possible to listen online via this link.

10th December 2017 is Worldwide Candle-Lighting Day, a day to remember children who passed away. Across the globe, candles are lit at 19:00 local time creating a wave of light. In Leiden, the Netherlands, the city council is hosting the Candle Lighting in the Town Hall. Emma will sing two songs in collaboration with the famous Dutch psychologist Else Marie van den Erenbeemt.

18:30, Stadhuis, Leiden. Free entry.