Ailsa's Blog: Marilyn Goatman
As a child there was always lots of music around wherever I went. My Mother was a trained mezzo soprano soloist before and during the war. and she was always singing "we'll gather lilacs in the spring again". She introduced me to classical music and particularly piano. and it wasn't long before I had my own small collection of LPs. As a child I was in the school choirs and played recorder.
As a teenager I idolised the 60's pop culture and saw live The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. Roy Orbison. Ray Charles to name but a few. However. classical was my favourite and went often to the Proms standing in the gallery for £1.
After moving to Brighton. I joined the operatic group and performed in "Salad Days" at the Dome. but it wasn't for me so in my mid-twenties joined a choir in Crawley after moving there. I have been a member of many choirs since then and still can't read music properly, but after years of following the dots by guesswork I can usually hold my own.
I love and have sung most of the major choral works over the years and took part in a few instant concerts at the Royal Albert Hall under the direction of the late Sir David Willcocks. Verdi's Requiem being my favourite.
My three children are musical too. My daughter played the piano and is now in a choir also. My youngest son played piano and trumpet. and currently sings solo with a guitar at various venues plus being a wedding DJ.
Music is my life to be honest. and most days I listen to a piano concerto or to unwind J.S.Bach's B Minor Mass.
