Tuesday 25 November 2008

SOME MORE FUN FROM ENJOY MUSIC

Yoga Exercises
In the absence Moira (hope she is enjoying Berlin and Venice) we had another DIY session, in the spirit of "Have a go and have fun!" Isla very ably organised the proceedings and all 17 of us had a very enjoyable morning.

Diana started us off with warm-up exercises " (Yoga Style) followed by some unusual but very effective vocal exercises from Mairi.

We all then joined in to sing "The Lights of Lochindaal"

Next on the agenda was Joan who played a very difficult flute piece called " Morcaeu de Concours", which she played beautifully, accompanied by Isla on the keyboard.

This was the followed by us all singing "The Bonnie Lass o'Fyvie"

Gordon then sang "Carmen Antisphearisticum " as a rehearsal for his duties next spring as "Deputy Cantor" after the Aberdeen Glasgow Annual Senate University Golf Match. Again Isla played the keyboard for him.

This was next followed by Sue who read out 2 very nice poems by Kenneth Steven called " Trust" and "Gathering Sloes". Jim then played 4 pieces on his "whistle" alernating slow melodies with faster tunes.

We then all sang "Chevalier de la table ronde" and Mairi finished off with the Song - "Over the Mountain " before we all had a deserved cup of coffee or tea.

Isla then got us all singing "There was an Auld Seceder Cat" before her departure and we were then entertained by Mairi again with some "Strathspey, Reel and Jig " Gaelic songs.

To round off the morning we sang "The Wee Room" and "Wee Kirkcudburgh" followed by Irene leading the group in a couple songs sung in two part harmony. --- which she rated as "Coming Along !" in the best traditions of Moira Jakobbson

Well done to all who "had a go " and thanks to Isla for her organisation

Tuesday 18 November 2008

WE SHALL SING.

Van Morisson's 'I Shall Sing' was the high point of our morning.
For starters, we resonated with:
'Spinnn lassie spinnn, an even thread and thinnn.
From this fleecy coat of thine
I will make a plaidy fine;
Spin lassie spinnn.'
After this, the African songs, Senjua and Sijahamba resounded wonderfully, Senjua in 3-part harmony.

Moving on to Scottish songs, we sang The Fair Lady, followed by Air Falalalo, by which point the jaws were truly well exercised.

Introducing the beautiful Carol of the Advent, to the French tune Besancon, words by Eleanor Farjeon, to new members, we sang it straight through today, in preparation for the start of December.

Coming back refreshed from the coffee break, we picked up the Van Morisson song, which we haven't sung since last spring. Although we know it well I Shall Sing has always been tricky for us when it comes to fitting the four ostinatos together with the voices.
Perhaps it was the six month rest, but for the first time, everyone was switched on to that beat, listening, playing and singing. Quite a thrill, for me, at least.

I'll be away next week but I can hear from the various conversations, that preparations are afoot for a good programme. Have a good morning and I'll be back on 1st December.

p.s. Here's an ORFFY diversion with thanks to Hollywood, Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor -- Click on the play button to get the movie going !!

Tuesday 11 November 2008

AN IMPROVISING DAY.

Today we resurrected many percussion instruments which have spent a long time in the cupboard.
Maracas, claves, small drums, chicken shakers, triangle, indian bells and temple blocks all came out and building on last week's practice we continued with LOVE SOMEBODY, singing the call & response.
Then the tune was played on the instruments, followed by a group improvisations section accompanied by a bass ostinato. Having got a feel for the instruments each person then chose one on which to make an individual improvisation. This was a mesmeric multi repetition of the tune with a different percussion interlude each time. A second go showed how quickly we can get the hang of both the instruments, and doing an improvisation; some very interesting passages ensued.
After making a big sound in the cafe, all 22 of us then made an even better sound with I SHALL SING, MANDELA and LAZY.

Tuesday 4 November 2008

LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO!

The Seagulls on Ice - Click to enlarge
LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO!
(American folk song of Scandinavian descent)
We worked on this song today _ body percussion and call and response with voices, which were further exercised in a good sing through Air Fal al al O.
Returning to LOVE SOMEBODY, after some practice we played the tune on the instruments  - a delightful sound which we'll make more of next week.

Angus McTavish we kept going, singing through the verses for the benefit of new members.

Our final song was MANDELA DANCED IN THE SQUARE  - always uplifting.

Before next week:
Have a listen to 'A Dram Before Breakfast' and make up some body percussion to its rhythms.

The picture above is  called " Seagulls on Ice "  ---  They were listening to all our music  - A real cold morning in Milngavie  but plenty of warmth inside at "Enjoy Music" ! --- click on the photo for an enlargement