Meet The Sixteen alto Kim as she discusses hobbies and fiendishly difficult repertoire

What is the best thing about singing with The Sixteen?
Working with such lovely friends is always a pleasure. We’re so lucky to perform in some of the country’s most glorious cathedrals and churches for our Choral Pilgrimage concerts.

What is your favourite Sixteen anecdote or memory?
Singing at the Vatican was extraordinary.

Is there a piece you have fallen in love with since performing it with The Sixteen?
Singing Parry’s Songs of Farewell as part of our 2022 Choral Pilgrimage programme was wonderful. They are so poignant and very intense but so beautiful and lovely to sing.

If you could go back in time and be present at any historical performance, what would it be?
Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. I’m not sure it went down as well as it does now. But hearing the elemental orchestral writing for the first time must have been extraordinary.

What has been the most challenging piece of music you have ever performed?
Poulenc’s cantata, Figure Humaine, certainly gives us a run for it’s money! It’s rich and unusual chords take some work to get right but once the sound world is in your mind it’s a thrilling piece to sing.

Does anyone in The Sixteen have any unusual habits?! If so, what are they?
No, we’re all absolutely normal people obviously!

What do you do to relax in your spare time?
I’m a composer too so a lot of my time not singing is writing. But then cooking and walking is what I love.

Was there anyone who inspired you to become a singer? Is there anyone who continues to inspire you today?
I guess singing with my family when I was growing up is what started my love of it. We sang everything from The Beatles through to madrigals. A very very un-hip childhood! My lovely singing friends and colleagues also inspire me to be as good as I can. Singing with other people is such a wonderful treat.

What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t a musician?
I would hope to do something with food. My parents had a restaurant so I know how hard that life can be. So I’ll keep up the singing for now!

What would your ultimate desert island disc be?
Sibelius Symphonies. Or complete Bach Cantatas, is that cheating?

What would you eat for your last supper?
Hake with a creamy white wine sauce, roast potatoes and swiss chard.