Godmanchester teen to conduct orchestra in aid of charity
A TEENAGER from Godmanchester will be raising the tempo as he raises money for charity by conducting his own choir. Alex Fryer, of Uggmere Court, Ramsey Heights, set up the Godmanchester Singers as part of a gap year project to raise money for Cambridgesh
A TEENAGER from Godmanchester will be raising the tempo as he raises money for charity by conducting his own choir.
Alex Fryer, of Uggmere Court, Ramsey Heights, set up the Godmanchester Singers as part of a gap year project to raise money for Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue (CamSAR).
The 18-year-old who plays the oboe also hopes the experience will help realise his dreams of one day commanding his own orchestra.
The choir will sing Haydn's Nelson Mass alongside an orchestra at Godmanchester Church, Post Street, on March 25, with a target of raising more than �300 through ticket sales.
"It's going to be an evening of stirring choral music featuring some great composers," he said. "I'm looking forward to conducting and bringing together people of all ages from different areas, and I'm hoping to raise a significant amount of money for CamSAR."
Having achieved three top grades in his A levels from Hinchingbrooke School, Alex plans to study music at university before trying to carve out a career in classical music.
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"It does seem quite tough," he said. "You have got to be noticed and you have got to be lucky but I'm planning to be quite proactive. People get a career in music by doing voluntary stuff, by helping people out and by offering to work when nobody else can."
The Godmanchester Singers choir is made up of performers from the Tapestry Singers Chamber Choir of Huntingdon, and the Hinchingbrooke School Chamber Choir, as well as young people from around the district.
"The choir is of mixed age; made up of school age, sixth form or gap year students and adults. The youngest is probably 15 and the oldest is 65," he said.
Pat Blanchet, 55, who sings soprano, added: "Alex is great. He's terribly enthusiastic and we are lucky to have him. It's great to have somebody so young who's trying something like this, getting everybody involved.
"I think he will make it as a conductor - he's got the ability but he's also got the enthusiasm."
INFORMATION: The Godmanchester Singers will perform the Virgin St March Church on March 25, from 7pm. Tickets cost �3 and will be available at the door.
