Abiding by our AGM resolution, we started promptly at 10:00 this morning. Marvellous what you can pack into those full 50 minutes and by Jove by 10:50 we were well ready for that coffee break.
We focused attention on keeping an open throat to achieve a full, relaxed sound and listening to each other to give a good blend of our voices. Then we learned the well known folk song riddle I GAVE MY LOVE A CHERRY, the simple words and melody of which give the opportunity for slow, careful singing. This was a very satisfying exercise, having the effect of sensitising us to the total sound of the group and was a really enjoyable sing.
Now repeating the programme of last week when many members were absent, we began by giving GAUDEAMUS HODIE laldie, following that with ALLELUYA, both in good harmony and then singing through the beautiful verses of LOVE IS COME AGAIN.
On the instruments today, after some practice with scales, we returned to JAKOBSTOWE JIG. Impatient to get on and practise, we left the F natural bar in position instead of changing to F sharp. This had the effect of changing the melody to a minor key and it was interesting to hear how the mood of the music had changed and also good to see how quickly the parts were memorised and played.
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Saturday 23 April 2011
Friday 22 April 2011
WE DEAL WITH THE BUSINESS THEN HAVE A GOOD SING.
When your secretary and treasurer are willing to stay in their posts and continue the good work, then the rest is easy, as they say and so it was with us this morning. We concluded our A.G.M. promptly, and were glad of the good cup of coffee and a chat after our three week absence, before moving on to the singing.
GAUDEAMUS HODIE was a good start and we settled in to the three parts comfortably, enjoying the harmonies. Similarly with ALLELUYA which is based on Pachelbel's Canon and also in three parts. All that good practice in the winter months paid off and we picked it up effortlessly which is when you really get to enjoy the song. Looking out on the swans in the pond on a sunny spring morning, we were singing exactly the right word.
A favourite Easter Carol in our group is Martin Shaw's arrangement of the old French carol, tune Besançon, and words by J.M.C. Crum, LOVE IS COME AGAIN. We sang this in full voice, with plenty of spring energy and following that, ALWAYS THE SINGING went with a beautiful lilt in three beat time.
Finally, for the benefit of new members, we returned to our old favourite, the Irving Berlin song, LAZY, which goes with a swing, always fun to sing.
Many members were unable to come today but our small number had plenty of verve and at the end of the morning, we all felt the benefit of the music good energy we'd passed round.
GAUDEAMUS HODIE was a good start and we settled in to the three parts comfortably, enjoying the harmonies. Similarly with ALLELUYA which is based on Pachelbel's Canon and also in three parts. All that good practice in the winter months paid off and we picked it up effortlessly which is when you really get to enjoy the song. Looking out on the swans in the pond on a sunny spring morning, we were singing exactly the right word.
A favourite Easter Carol in our group is Martin Shaw's arrangement of the old French carol, tune Besançon, and words by J.M.C. Crum, LOVE IS COME AGAIN. We sang this in full voice, with plenty of spring energy and following that, ALWAYS THE SINGING went with a beautiful lilt in three beat time.
Finally, for the benefit of new members, we returned to our old favourite, the Irving Berlin song, LAZY, which goes with a swing, always fun to sing.
Many members were unable to come today but our small number had plenty of verve and at the end of the morning, we all felt the benefit of the music good energy we'd passed round.
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