This is the first of our 10, quick fire questions for the Singing Holidays conductors. 10 probing and searching oneliners designed to reveal all the nooks and crannies of the people behind the baton…kinda!
First up, settling down uneasily into the inquisitors chair is the warm, very lovely and hideously talented, Principle Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, Mark Shanahan.
Mark Shanahan. The Qs.
Best conducting experience?
The last one is always the best
Most embarrassing conducting experience?
When an orchestral manager forgot to put the Act 2 score on to the music stand during an Eugene Onegin performance
If you weren’t a musician what would you like to be?
A good musician!
Of all the projects you have worked on what has made you most proud and why?
Often community projects with disabled/mentally handicapped, somehow the real power of music is revealed in such circumstances
What sort of animal do you see yourself as?
A large one
Who do you admire?
People that continually try to improve
Do you have a secret skill we don’t know about?
If I told you ..no more secret
Apart from music, what else makes you happy?
Surprises from children
Your favourite book?
Impossible
Your favourite plate of food?
The freshest of seafood