Naomi started singing in the choir at St Agnes’ church in Cotteridge as soon as she was old enough: her father was the Vicar and her mother and sister were both singers so it seemed only natural for her to be a part of it. Sunday lunches always started with singing the grace in four-part harmony (with her mother on the tenor!) so singing was definitely in the blood. While at secondary school, she sang in the Birmingham Schools’ Chorale and then joined Ex Cathedra.
Having always wanted to teach, Naomi completed her BEd at Homerton College, Cambridge where she continued to sing – for the four years she was there, she was a chorister at Emmanuel College and also sang in the University Chamber Choir. After graduating, Naomi worked as a primary school teacher in London and was acting Deputy Head within 7 years. She returned to her hometown of Birmingham where she took up a leadership post in a local CofE primary school. She now feels incredibly privileged to be its Head Teacher.
1. How long have you been a member of Ex Cathedra and why did you join?
My journey starts with the ‘Birmingham Schools’ Chorale’ in 1987. I was 11 years old and I turned up with my big sister who suggested I audition. Martin Bates was conducting that day so I ended up sitting on the back row next to the ‘other conductor’ Jeff Skidmore (with no real concept of who he was!). My sight reading was clearly better in those days as at the end he said ‘not bad, you’re in’. When I was 16, I was asked to try out in Ex Cathedra and, with the exception of university days, living away for a bit and maternity leave I’ve sung with the choir since then.
When the choir takes on young singers, it is usually as a stepping stone into a singing career but from about the age of 3, I had already decided I wanted to teach so no matter how much I loved singing, that wasn’t an option for me. I love that Ex Cathedra gives singers the opportunity to sing at a professional level while having a profession elsewhere. It still feels such a privilege to get on stage and think ‘Wow, I get to do this’ even after over 30 years.
2. What does a typical day look like for you?
I am a Head teacher of a Primary school. I didn’t ever mean to get to this level as my real joy is working with children and headship seems to involve anything but that! However, the role does allow me to shape the vision of the school: it is in one of the most deprived areas of the city so we work hard to prize enrichment as much as academic success. It will be no surprise to hear that that means there is music everywhere.
Monday always starts with whole school singing. It takes us a bit of time to warm up, but half an hour in and the sound of 420 raising the roof is a real mood changer. We also use this time for some musical appreciation. The playlist over the last few years has been quite eclectic. We can move from Hildegard of Bingen to Stormzy almost seamlessly!
No day is ever the same – which keeps it interesting – but most days end with me saying ‘well, we didn’t plan for that today’. It does feel like there is a never-ending list of things to do, so I try hard in the evenings to switch off. I can often be found watching something football or FI related with my son, going to the gym or singing. This year I went straight from Ofsted to Ex Cathedra and it was the best antidote.
3. If you could choose to perform any piece you have performed with Ex Cathedra again, what would it be, and why?
One piece of music that really stands out is Schoenberg’s ‘Fride auf Erden’. I’d never put myself down as a Schoenberg fan and on first reading I was a bit thrown by how hard it was. Once I’d cracked it though, it was one of those pieces that makes you feel quite emotional when singing it. I have a distinct memory of singing it whilst heavily pregnant and almost passing out singing all the top Bs at the end. I couldn’t work out if it was the heat, the baby or the sheer beauty of the build up to the ‘peace on earth’ ending that made me light headed. I’m not sure I could ping out all of those high notes with such ease now but I’d love to give it a go.
4. What’s your musical guilty secret?
My guilty secret is that if there is karaoke, I’ll forget I’m a soprano and I’ll be straight on the floor belting out Bonnie Tyler ‘total eclipse of the heart’ (with the expectation that everyone around me does the backing vocals). I’ve also been known to love a Kate Bush tribute night and get a little too enthusiastic with my own renditions.