#WCG2018 – Meet the Jury

Renowned choral experts from 28 different nations are going to evaluate the competition performances at the World Choir Games 2018 in Tshwane, South Africa. Time to learn more about them!

10 questions with Mat Wright (Great Britain)

Mat is the founder, musical director and trustee of Barnsley Youth Choir as well as the founder and artistic director of the Barnsley Singers. His work as a clinician and workshop leader led him throughout Great Britain, Sweden, Spain, Russia, France and South Africa whereas his additional job as the deputy director of education for the Astrea Trust, a multi-academy trust, links him to his home country.

Who or what is your greatest inspiration in life?

I am lucky to have an amazing family. My wife is a brilliant musician and is a constant support to me. My sister and my dad have done so much to help me over the years. My mother died when I was younger but I know that she left a big mark on me and helped to make me what I am. I suppose I'm motivated by a number of things. My primary focus has always been to provide young people with opportunities and I'm obsessed by equity. I work with many young people that are significantly deprived and have lots of issues to deal with. I have learned that music has the power to change lives and I know that providing this musical experience to young people has a profound impact on them - as it did for me. There are now over 400 children involved in my choir and I do this unpaid because it is about moral purpose for me.

I feel so lucky to have spent time with some incredibly talented choral directors from across the world. I've been humbled by their generosity and support of me over the years.

What would you be doing today, if you were not in choral music?

When I was young I really enjoyed playing sport and I played to a high level. I enjoyed the camaraderie and being part of a team and loved the buzz of it. I'm not sure if I would have ever been good enough to make a career out of this though. I really enjoy teaching. Even if I wasn't involved in choirs I think I would still be involved in education and working with young people. I love my job and have an opportunity to work across 24 schools with so many amazing children.

When did you last sing?

I sang with my 3 young children last night. They all love singing - in fact they never stop singing! They have grown up attending choir rehearsals from when they were babies. It's usually a lot of fun with them but wouldn't win any prizes in competitions! I always believe that children who sing are happy and that, after all, is the most important thing in life.

What is the best (and funniest) story to tell from your choral life?

There have been so many amazing times. Perhaps watching my choir leave their first ever competition stage in 2014 at the World Choir Games and collapsing in tears afterwards. They were so emotional and overwhelmed by the experience. They had worked so hard to raise money, rehearsed incredibly hard and given everything they had on stage - I was so proud of them. They had never performed in a competition before - not even a festival! They needed to be so brave to do this. The result really didn't matter - what they had achieved that day by overcoming their fears changed them as young people. They became more confident, stronger, resilient and understood that hard work and a relentless commitment can yield success in life....whatever someone's circumstances.

The story most people remind me of is when my wife went into labour with our first child. It was on a rehearsal night so I left my wife in hospital so I could take the rehearsal. My daughter was kind enough to wait until I returned so I didn't miss when she was born. Our second child was born in the interval of a concert. I conducted the first half of the concert whilst my wife was in the hospital. One of the adults that helps with my choir is a doctor and drove me very quickly to the hospital at the start of the interval and as I ran through the door to the room my wife was in my second daughter was born. Someone was certainly looking down on me!

Which song never fails to move you?

Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes by Paul Simon. It was my mum's favourite song and her and my sister would sing along to it and dance when she was young. Gorecki Symphony No. 3 is incredibly moving because of the subject matter - haunting and beautiful. When I was a young and sang in a Cathedral Choir I used to love singing the St. John Passion by Bach - particularly Ruht Wohl and some of the amazing Chorales. Here Comes the Sun by Nina Simone always makes me smile.

With whom would you like to sing a duet once in your life?

That is a huge question! Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder.....perhaps Paul McCartney. This is so hard! Liz Wright is the best singer I've ever seen live. I would happily share a stage with her but refuse to sing because it would spoil it.

What is the greatest piece of choral literature that has ever been written?

The Learning Conductor by my friend Thomas Caplin is an amazing piece of work. I read a lot of material about Zoltan Kodaly. We host choirs each year from the famous Kodaly School in Kecskemet and I have always been inspired and intrigued by the philosophy and approach to music education. Much of this is thanks to my good friend Laszlo Duranyik.

Acting as adjudicator at choir competitions, what is your main focus of evaluation?

Firstly there must be technical accuracy. I am looking for an attention to detail and a performance that is of a really high standard - intonation, blend, quality of tone / colour and general musicianship. But just as important for me is a choir's ability to make me feel something. A choir's authenticity and ability to convey honest and genuine expression is absolutely vital to me. Singing is about story telling and it is about communication. Good choirs are able to communicate effectively with one another and an audience. Passion and commitment are key and their understanding of the message that a piece is trying to convey is crucial.

What is your personal advice to choirs/conductors competing at the World Choir Games?

Sing from your souls with energy, enthusiasm and joy! Whilst results are important try not to put too much pressure on yourselves and remember that the highest honour is participation. You are about to take part in the most important competition in the World. It's an occasion that you will never forget and will be life-changing. it's vital that you embrace it. Soak up the atmosphere, relax and enjoy it!

What’s the most useless talent you have?

A very difficult question! Useless.....well.....I can move my hair without touching it. But I've used that skill in the middle of a concert to make some children smile before a piece they were scared of - so I suppose it was useful.