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"Singing liberates me. It makes me feel free.. it uplifts me"
Brenda Rattray is a gifted inspirational facilitator, and a leader who combines modesty with strength, authority and enormous musical talent.
Brenda possesses an ability to instil confidence in budding singers and remove inhibitions from those who consider themselves unable to sing. She encourages relaxation, meditation and proper breathing before adopting an approach that is tailored to each situation and (where the size of the group permits) each participant.
Brenda works in schools, hospitals, prisons, churches, with London orchestras, The English National Opera and with workers in the City of London. She has conducted workshops and has performed professionally in respected venues in London, across Europe, in Australia and in East Africa.
Brenda is currently performing her arrangement of the African song Niyerami with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and is touring with BBC Wales auditioning children for the filming of the opera, "The Little Prince". She also has a duo collaboration in Italy where she regularly performs her compositions.
Meet The Composer
Camilla, Jake, Nadia, Georgia, Tania and Rebecca - singers from the CYM Choir (Centre for Young Musicians) - met with Brenda when they were recording her song.
What inspired you to write this song? There were two things. My father-in-law, who I loved dearly, passed away in April. He had very child-like eyes, eyes full of joy . he did have a smile behind his eyes. During the same period I was working in a school and met a young child who had lost her granddaddy. She was in tears and her teacher didn't know how to speak to her about it. The two of us talked, and that was also part of the inspiration.
How do you feel when you write songs? I feel released. Often when I write it's about 4 o'clock in the morning. I wake up and I'll hear melody, or colour, or I'll hear words. The air is pregnant with ideas and then I go to the computer, I write, and then I am able to go back to sleep!
What inspired you to be a songwriter? I think I've always written tunes but when I was fourteen my mum and dad got divorced. I remember going to school and feeling in a lot of pain but not being able to communicate how I was feeling. Then when I did music GCSE I had to compose. I wrote my first song about two people, whom I dearly loved, having a quarrel.
What feeling do you want transmitted by this song? Inspiration. As a Christian I believe that death is not the end: death is a new beginning.
When you write a song are your feelings at the time reflected in the song? Yes, in everything I've ever written.
How old were you when you started to sing? I can't remember a time when I didn't sing!
Why do you like singing? It liberates me. It makes me feel free. it uplifts me. |
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