Meet The Sixteen's Daniel, an alto who can often be found drawing or conducting when not signing with The Sixteen.

What is the best thing about singing with The Sixteen?
Performing beautiful music with close friends – what could be better than that?

What is your favourite Sixteen anecdote or memory?
Probably the time Sixteen bass Eamonn Dougan managed to punch a hole in a tambourine.

Is there a piece you have fallen in love with since performing it with The Sixteen?
James Macmillan’s Stabat mater – it strays a long way from my musical home of the Renaissance and baroque, but it is without question one of the most powerful works I have heard. Performing it is spine-tingling.

If you could go back in time and be present at any historical performance, what would it be?
I’d like to see what it was like performing Bach’s cantatas with the composer at the Thomaskirche. We all hold these cantatas in reverence, for obvious reasons, but I do wonder if putting something full of fiendish vocal and instrumental writing together on the morning, potentially having only written it during the week, might be more of a chaotic experience than we realise.

What has been the most challenging piece of music you have ever performed?
Poulenc’s Figure Humaine. It’s also one of my favourite pieces, but it requires superhuman levels of energy and focus to pull off.

Does anyone in The Sixteen have any unusual habits?! If so, what are they?
That would be me. I enjoy the freedom of getting half changed and leaving my lower half still in casual wear as late as possible. It’s best in the summer, top half full white tie and lower half shorts and sandals. I call it smart casual.

What do you do to relax in your spare time?
Relax? What’s that? I actually spend most of my spare time studying scores – I direct a handful of choirs and formed my own orchestra, so I’m always on the lookout for new rep/new programmes/new ways of interpreting the cello accent before figure 59 of Enigma Variations.

Was there anyone who inspired you to become a singer? Is there anyone who continues to inspire you today?
My Dad was, and still is, hugely encouraging of my musical endeavours – I don’t think I would be singing now if he hadn’t pushed me to become a chorister. Stephen Darlington, Mark Blatchly, Bill Ives, and Paul Brough were some of the people who guided me through my musical education and who had a profound influence on me. Harry himself is one of the most inspiring people I’ve worked for – the way he achieves such a high standard from being encouraging is something special.

What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t a musician?
I’d be an artist. I love drawing and miss having the time to do it properly!

What would your ultimate desert island disc be?
One of The Eagles Greatest Hits or Bach’s Mass in B minor. Or both played at the same time. There must be a way to make that work.

What would you eat for your last supper?
Sausage casserole using Schwartz’s recipe mix.