‘Give it a big hug, Sophie!’ That was the lovely, affirming advice Annie the Director gave me seconds before I stepped on stage. The Albert Hall was huge and packed to the rafters, not at all easy to embrace in one go, but I gave it my best squeeze nonetheless. To sing before a sea of flash bulbs and five thousand appreciative faces was a thrilling, tingling, liberating experience. I only wish it had lasted longer than three and a half minutes! But as Pie Jesu reached its rising climax, the audience burst into warm applause and I nodded and smiled in grateful receipt. Funnily enough, this was the part I had worried about most - not the performance itself, but how to acknowledge the crowd!
The whole evening proved memorable. It was a charity fundraiser for the Salvation Army. They do such good work taking care of the homeless and bringing hope to others laid low in life. Like Malaika Oringo, a Ugandan, who gave a humbling account of how she had been hoodwinked and trafficked into this country. Mary Berry added a little celebrity glam with a reading from the Bible, and we all sang a string of Christmas carols led by the Choir (known as the International Staff Songsters) directed superbly by Dorothy Nancekievill, one-time Director of Music at WCS.
I have so many happy memories of this event - from lounging in my very own dressing room to rubbing shoulders (literally) with Mary B at the final photo call. We even swopped recipes. (Joke!)
Let me take this opportunity to thank Mr Cole, Mrs Armstrong and Mr Kidd for making the occasion possible for me. You have my eternal gratitude!
Rubbing shoulders with the famous
Sophie’s very own dressing room!