William Armiger - bass

What do you do for a living?
I'm a retired Headmaster and Cathedral lay-clerk
Have you lived in Gloucestershire all your life?
No, I was born in Norwich, taught and sang in London (where I was a lay-clerk at Southwark Cathedral). I moved to Gloucester in 1971 when I was appointed as a Gloucester Cathedral lay-clerk, and was married there.
Where is your favourite place in Gloucestershire?
That's difficult - probably top of Haresfield Beacon on a bright, cold winter's morning.
Which bit of the building at Gloucester Cathedral do you love the most?
The Quire: it's so full of wonderful memories.
If you had to name your favourite choral piece, what might it be and why?
I sang in this many years ago: Vaughan Williams' 'Hodie'.
Is there a choral piece that you would love to sing in, but haven’t yet?
Again very difficult, probably “Vinea mea electa” from Poulenc's Four Penitential Motets.
What has been your favourite moment or event during your time with the Saint Cecilia Singers?
Having the privilege of singing the baritone solos in Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on Christmas Carols".
If you could read only two books from now on, which ones would they be?
Christopher Hitchens, “Arguably”; Deborah Harkness "A Discovery of Witches".
Which four figures from the past would you like to have at your dinner table?
John Sanders, Jim Hoyland, Barrie Thompson, Christian Wilson.
What was your favourite subject at school?
English
What other hobbies do you enjoy outside of music?
Gardening, and visiting my grandchildren!
What are you most looking forward to after lockdown eases?
​Getting long-awaited hugs from my grandchildren.