Roddy has performed several times during the past year and kicked off the season with Zemlinsky’s epic Lyric Symphony in October, before returning for a moving recital of English songs inspired by Schubert’s Winterreise in April.

And he managed to cram quite a lot into his final week as Artist-in-Residence this month…

On Tuesday 12 May, he visited pupils at Longfleet CE Primary School, Poole, joining an assembly and sharing in a workshop with pianist Simon Gilliver and music leader Hazel Gould.

Pupils were captivated by Roddy’s singing and were able to ask him a variety of questions including how he projects his voice.

Roddy talked through the main components that make up a song and a smaller workshop of pupils then took part in a songwriting session where they created a brand-new song, which Roddy then sang and later recorded. Listen below!

 

Music teacher, Kate Wright, said “The staff and pupils who heard Roddy’s singing were spellbound by his beautiful voice, especially those very low notes!”

The following day Roddy returned to the concert stage at Lighthouse, Poole, for a performance of A Child of Our Time, alongside a host of acclaimed singers including soprano Talise Trevigne, mezzo-soprano Anita Monserrat and tenor Joshua Stewart.

Seen and Heard International said of Roddy’s performance in A Child of our Time that “Roderick Williams was its ideal interpreter.”

The next morning Roddy joined our BSO Participate team for its regular work with Southampton Hospitals Charity, performing for staff, visitors and patients of all ages.

Roddy performed across three sites accompanied by pianist Simon Gilliver, and both staff and patients were deeply receptive to his music.

In the adult wards, patients visibly lifted in their seats listening to the music and interacted and chatted with Roddy enthusiastically. In the children’s ward the music provided a sense of both relief and distraction for both the patients and their families.

As Roddy sang staff and patients gathered around. A natural storyteller, Roddy explained the stories behind the pieces that he sang and answered any questions too.

In the hospital canteen, one member of the clinical team at the hospital told Roddy that his singing had “really lifted a tough shift”.

Roddy said it was “an experience that will live with me a long time”.

If you’d like to watch Roddy perform in An English Winterreise click here, the Digital Concert is available to watch until 30 May. Next year we’re thrilled to be welcoming Boris Giltburg as our Artist-in-Residence. Click here to learn more.