Today, I find the 45-year-old in a very different setting – conducting the intricate choral harmonies of Purcell in an upstairs room at Redland’s Friends’ Meeting House. He is suitably attired for the Quaker setting – dressed a little more warmly than in his brief naturist rock era.
The proudly Bristolian choirmaster formed the Gurt Lush Choir just three years ago, after returning from a 15-year absence from the city, ensconced in the middle of the Normandy countryside.
It is now Bristol’s biggest community choir, with almost 300 members. This evening they will take to a suitably expansive arena, when they step up to the stage of the Colston Hall – with more than 1,000 tickets sold, it is certain to be the choir’s biggest performance to date.
“I had no idea whether it would take off,” he admits. “But when I arrived for the first rehearsal, I was stunned to find 70 people waiting in the hall to sign up. That’s when I thought we were really onto something.”
Sam simply hadn’t counted on the “Gareth Malone effect”. The celebrity choirmaster’s television series following the fortunes of school and community choirs, had revolutionised the appeal of choirs during Sam’s years in Normandy.
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