O cessate di piagarmi

George Reynolds is a 23-year-old English Baritone currently studying as a postgraduate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Highlights from George’s conversation with The Enormity of Now are below.

Who are you and what do you do?
I am George Reynolds. I’m a baritone currently studying in my first year of Master’s at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

How did you get here?
I was in a boy’s choir for eleven years. When I was fifteen/sixteen, the choral director said I had a nice voice and suggested private singing lessons. I did that for a year or so. He said I should audition for these things called conservatoires. I didn’t know what a conservatoire was. I really wanted to go to the Royal Academy of Music because it had a really nice cafe. That was the extent of my knowledge.

I didn’t know there were lots of different ways you could sing. I auditioned for the three (Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music). I only got into the Guildhall, which was lucky because I would have gone somewhere else. I had four years as an undergraduate there with Gary Coward. I was so lucky to have him. It’s pretty standard, isn’t it? Choral singer to classical singer. So many people I know have the same experience.

How has the journey of your art/career engaged your voice – personally, artistically, politically?
Artistically, I was quite rigid before. My voice has become much freer, which is lovely. I’ve been able to do my “ in my shower” singing as proper singing now! I don’t have to think about it as much. Emotionally, because I’m more free, I can emote more. You can think of something real and connected to what you’re doing.

Politically – I don’t think I’ve changed that much. I’ve always been left-wing. Coming into a conservatoire and the arts is quite left-wing, but then you’re surrounded by money all the time. Sometimes it’s confusing. I don’t think my voice has changed my political views, just reinforced them.

What is the voice that you found while finding your voice?
When you’re first in a conservatoire, you’re very daunted about everything. Everybody’s opinion means everything to you. It’s a very difficult thing to change. I would find it hard to disagree with all the people. Now it can be a discussion: I have a stronger sense of self.