JACK JORDAN

How long have you been involved with the choir, and why did you choose to teach with us?
I've been teaching with the Choir for a number of years now, but have been a part of the community since I was 8 years old. I initially joined the ABCI as a tutor because it is a community that I love as well as having an affinity for choral music and teaching. It is quite an energising few hours a week.

What does your role involve?
I currently take the Cambiata group where we look after these singers' musicianship and their progress, and help with the tricky process of when their voices change! I was also previously Senior Tutor for our Probationer and Cambiata groups but have tutored across all levels of the Choir. I particularly enjoyed monitoring and assisting with the Probationer groups' progress and learning.

What do you do when you aren't working at choir?
At the moment, I am a keen home cook! I am interested in all sorts of things, and try to do and learn as much as I can.

What is your most cherished memory?
My most cherished memory is a break through with a student regarding his confidence and musical ability. I’ve seen the positive impact it had on other areas of his life and wellbeing. It was a very lovely moment.

Think back to one of your favourite choir performances - how did it make you feel and why?
During my time working with the choir, it has been a tie between three past performances, the 2018 Christmas concert, the European Tour return concert and the first training choirs concert.

1. The 2018 Christmas concert was the first time in ten years that I was in the audience for the first time, and it was fantastic to gain a new perspective on the choir.
2. The European Tour coming home concert was fantastic to be in the audience. It made me realise how truly important the audience and families of the boys are to the institute and the atmosphere of an ABCI Concert.
3. Finally, the Training Choirs Concert was the first time I had extensively worked with each and every boy on stage. I could see the work that they and I had put into something quite lovely.

Why would you recommend the choir to prospective parents and children?
I think the choir offers a very unique experience that is rarely available to children. The sense of community, teamwork, fostering of a discipline, and a lot more wrapped up in a neat little package. Also the chance to collectively create something musically beautiful is seldom available to children.

What is your top audition tip?
My top audition tip is to be sure you're enjoying yourself. I'm of the opinion that if you don't enjoy what you're doing, you will find it more difficult to succeed and get meaning from it. Why do something that you don't enjoy?

What are your long term goals?
Good question... I want to continue pursuing things that fulfil me.