Tuesday 11 May 2010

GLENBOIG GATHERING

Our last meeting of '2009 - '2010, at the invitation of our member who lives near Fintry and what an inspiration it proved to be! The beautiful sunny morning among the hills, the warm welcome, the high ceilinged room where we sang all contributed to the energy of our voices as we sang together songs we'd learned throughout the year.
We started off with the call and response, WHAT'LL I DO WITH THE BABY? and followed on with Paul Wilson's fine song with a driving five beat metre, BRAND NEW DAY, which we sang many times allowing it to develop a momentum of its own. Returning to ALWAYS THE SINGING, we can now put some conviction into this, enjoying its rolling three beat swing as well as the good words.
This lovely May morning was the perfect time to revive our Icelandic song NÚ ER VETUR UR BÆ

NÚ ER VETUR ÚR BÆ Icelandic folk song

Nú er vetur úr bæ ---- Now winter has left the farm
rann í sefgrænan sæ ---- Has run into the reed green sea
og þar sefur í djúpinu væra ---- And is sleeping there in the calm deep,
en sumarið blítt, ---- But (the) kindly summer
kemur fagurt og frítt ---- Comes, beautiful and mild
meður fjörgjafar ljósinu skæra. ---- Bestowing (the) energising bright light.

Jónas Hallgrímsson

which I can say we sang with good Icelandic accents as well as inspired musicality as we looked out over the Fintry hills.

Instrumental pieces as well as songs from individual members made this an altogether thoroughly enjoyable morning, after which we were well ready to do justice to the spread laid on by our hostess and spend some time in good company.

A good ending to a good year. I wish everyone a happy and restful simmer and look forward to meeting up again on Tuesday 7th September to make more wonderful music




Finally some photographs from the days events -- Click on the small thumbnailand then on slideshow to see larger pictures

Enjoy Music - Fintry

Tuesday 4 May 2010

DRUMMING LESSON FROM SIGNY JAKOBSDOTTIR

Moira our Enjoy Music Group leader was not with us today and her daughter Signy Jakobsdottir gave the group an excellent introduction into "Drumming"
Signy who was born in Iceland is now based in Glasgow where she works with extensively with Scottish Ballet. With roots in Gamelan, African and Indian drumming she brings a global approach to her performances. Her unique sound palette has led to sessions with amongst others Fred Frith, Trilok Gurtu, James Grant, Capercaillie, Gamalan Pacifica, Joko Susilo, and Zeitgeist Percussion Ensemble.

We all had a great morning beating away on the Drums --- Thanks Signy

Click on the small thumbnail to see some more photos and then click on slideshow to see larger pictures.

Enjoy Music -- Drums