In Moira’s absence we held another ‘concert’ this morning.
Diana started us off with a beautiful and calming warm-up exercise, called Body Prayer. We performed this to Air on a G String by J.S. Bach.
Isla then followed on with a vocal warm-up with a difference. We all sang a chorus from Rhythm of Life, while trying to remember to think about breathing, expression and rounded vowels.
Joan then played a piece on the flute called Andante in E minor by J.S. Bach. This was a lovely piece, with a lot of difficult trills.
Ruth then recited a couple of poems. The first one, ‘Swallows’ was written by Ruth herself, inspired on a nice afternoon while watching birds near Lennoxtown. Ruth’s second poem was called Meditation and was written by Iris Hesselden, who writes poems with uplifting thoughts.
Next on the agenda, Mairi sang a song called Caledonia by Dougie MacLean. This song was chosen this year as the homecoming song. We all joined in with the chorus – to the best of our ability!
The café was next in line for a welcome cup of tea/coffee.
After the break we all sang There was an Auld Seceder Cat. This was our 2nd attempt at this. Rosemary, Lyn and Mairi sang the parts which we found difficult to manage last November and it sounded much better this time.
Jim and Rosemary then sang O Gin I Were a Baron’s Heir, with Rosemary playing the keyboard. This is one of the most beautiful of old Scots love songs, with words by William Holden and composed by Joseph Wm Holden.
Next we heard Sue read a couple of poems. This first one was called Prima Donna of Pittenweem, a light hearted poem by Nanzie McLeod. Sue’s second poem was called Hebrides, which was a description of the islands. It was written by Kenneth Stevens.
Mairi then sang ‘Through Bushes and Through Briers’ which is a traditional Irish ballad. Mairi then taught us a chorus from ‘Mary Mack’ which was difficult to sing at speed, but we managed to sing ‘Mary Mack’s mither’s makin’ Mary Mack mairry me etc when it was slowed down.
Finally, we all enjoyed a good sing with The Lights of Lochindaal.
Thanks to everyone who participated this morning. We all enjoyed the variety and quality of the performances.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
WEATHER WARM UP AND RHYTHMIC LADY
We opened our morning with swinging energy, listening and moving to FOLIA, based on a European dance form from the renaissance period and played on guitars, lute, psalter and double bass and featuring an improvisation on clarinet piccolo, beautiful open sounds for a sunny day.
Our voice warm up was WHETHER THE WEATHER BE FINE, WHETHER THE WEATHER BE NOT, something of a tongue twister song which really loosens up the facial muscles and gets the deep breathing going.
Now in good voice we returned to the African song which celebrates music and singing,
TINA SINGU LELUVATEO, WATCHA, WATCHA, WATCHA.
This is sung in two basic parts and we quickly added more (as you do) feeling the full sound of the harmonies and we're working on achieving a good blend.
Next after singing through the Scots ghost song about Mary Queen of Scots, THE FAIR LADY, we got out the instruments, ready to work on Carl Orff's arrangement for this song after the coffee.
Duly boosted by coffee and a chat, we picked up the beaters and concentrated on the simple but tricky rhythms of the music on xylophones.
Drums, flute and whistle parts remain to be added. That's for next time.
We ended the morning with BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, it's five verses being quite a sing, but with such uplifting words the energy finds its flow.
Our voice warm up was WHETHER THE WEATHER BE FINE, WHETHER THE WEATHER BE NOT, something of a tongue twister song which really loosens up the facial muscles and gets the deep breathing going.
Now in good voice we returned to the African song which celebrates music and singing,
TINA SINGU LELUVATEO, WATCHA, WATCHA, WATCHA.
This is sung in two basic parts and we quickly added more (as you do) feeling the full sound of the harmonies and we're working on achieving a good blend.
Next after singing through the Scots ghost song about Mary Queen of Scots, THE FAIR LADY, we got out the instruments, ready to work on Carl Orff's arrangement for this song after the coffee.
Duly boosted by coffee and a chat, we picked up the beaters and concentrated on the simple but tricky rhythms of the music on xylophones.
Drums, flute and whistle parts remain to be added. That's for next time.
We ended the morning with BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, it's five verses being quite a sing, but with such uplifting words the energy finds its flow.
Friday, 10 April 2009
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
A.G.M. PLUS SONGS PLUS LUNCH
Anticipation of a good sing, together with careful preparation by our secretary and treasurer ensured that the business was dealt with in the minimum of time and after a cup of coffee and a good chat, we got down to the music.
The four part harmony of ASALAAM is holding up well, even improving, and after a number of weeks getting familiar with the words of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA we are now beginning to sing them with some expression and think about improving our tone.
We lunched in style, in bright spring sunshine, at the Douglas Park Golf Club, - fine view, good food and plenty of talk; a grand finale to our winter term -- click on the photo above to see us all at lunch
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
WE REVISIT 'THE FAIR LADY', WITH THE BEATERS.
Having warmed up our voices, the four part harmony of Asalaam (Arabic for 'peace be with you') had a full, rich sound and although we're not yet fully confident in the parts, we're beginning to understand that lovely feeling that comes from close harmony singing.
Our main focus this morning was the Orff-Keetman arrangement of the old Scots song about the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, 'The Fair Lady'.
We learned the song some time ago and this was a help when working on the tricky ostinato of the accompaniment on the xylophones.
There was some discussion among our amateur psychologists, about whether the hand movements for the instruments are learned by the brain or the muscles, but in any case, the home task this week is to do a 'David Beckham', (he visualises his kicks for the penalties, found to be every bit as effective as working in the football pitch) and practise, miming or visualising, the hand movements.
Interesting to see if the patterns come more easily next week.
NEXT WEEK TUES 31ST MARCH is our AGM which will be followed by our usual, if shorter, session and HOLIDAY LUNCH, informal bar food in the Douglas Park Club House straight after the music finishes.
Our main focus this morning was the Orff-Keetman arrangement of the old Scots song about the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, 'The Fair Lady'.
We learned the song some time ago and this was a help when working on the tricky ostinato of the accompaniment on the xylophones.
There was some discussion among our amateur psychologists, about whether the hand movements for the instruments are learned by the brain or the muscles, but in any case, the home task this week is to do a 'David Beckham', (he visualises his kicks for the penalties, found to be every bit as effective as working in the football pitch) and practise, miming or visualising, the hand movements.
Interesting to see if the patterns come more easily next week.
NEXT WEEK TUES 31ST MARCH is our AGM which will be followed by our usual, if shorter, session and HOLIDAY LUNCH, informal bar food in the Douglas Park Club House straight after the music finishes.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
MOVING ON IN HARMONY
We began with warm up movements to the Allegro from Bach's Concerto for Oboe d'amore in A major, _ wonderful music for a fresh, sunny morning.
This seemed to encourage good, deep breathing as the long phrases of ONE BY ONE EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER sounded controlled and almost effortless, giving the song a lovely lilt as we continued on to sing it as a 4 part round.
ASALAAM, by Nickomo Clarke.
This new song, short, only four phrases, two words, has melody lines for four voices.
The words, 'Aleykum asalaam' in Arabic mean 'Peace be unto you.'
Starting with the basses, we learned one voice at a time until we were able to blend all four melodies in harmony,_ a first for this group and what a good sound it was. Spontaneous applause broke out!!!! That was a good point to stop for the coffee and chat.
A good practice on the instruments followed as we moved on to some different patterns preparing for a new Orff piece next week.
We ended our session this morning with the five verses of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA.
This seemed to encourage good, deep breathing as the long phrases of ONE BY ONE EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER sounded controlled and almost effortless, giving the song a lovely lilt as we continued on to sing it as a 4 part round.
ASALAAM, by Nickomo Clarke.
This new song, short, only four phrases, two words, has melody lines for four voices.
The words, 'Aleykum asalaam' in Arabic mean 'Peace be unto you.'
Starting with the basses, we learned one voice at a time until we were able to blend all four melodies in harmony,_ a first for this group and what a good sound it was. Spontaneous applause broke out!!!! That was a good point to stop for the coffee and chat.
A good practice on the instruments followed as we moved on to some different patterns preparing for a new Orff piece next week.
We ended our session this morning with the five verses of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
WE CONSOLIDATE OUR HARMONIES.
Working on BEAUTIFUL AFRICA today, we abandoned the usual circle formation in an effort to strengthen our part singing. We closed up into groups enabling much keener listening and this paid off as 'solid' was the word for the alto part after several runs through. This leaves us with something of a 'balance' problem but we can sort that.
After three verses of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA we went on to the two verses of PEOPLE OF AFRICA, the beautiful words of which are always a trial for my composure,_ and looking round it was clear I wasn't the only one to find this a very moving text.
Harmonies came freely again in LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO; we are getting the hang of this 'on the hoof', or 'pick your part' harmonising.
Carl Orff's CARILLON went well today with Joan and Diana both on flutes blending well together and everybody playing and singing confidently and also bringing the piece to a crisp ending.
To see the slideshow above Click Here
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
IN HARMONY WITH AFRICA.
We were in good voice today, beginning with DAY BY DAY EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER and moving on to a spirited singing of LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO, which inspired us to work out harmonies for the final bar of the song. This made and impressive and even heart warming ending.
Encouraged by this success, and after singing once through BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, we spent some time learning the alto part for the chorus, which seemed to come fairly easily; I do think we're gaining confidence in part singing and what a satisfaction it gives, to hear these harmonies warm up our sound!
With everyone now playing and using the beaters with confidence, we focused today on the dynamic possibilities of these barred instruments, from ppp to fff and amazed ourselves at the range of possibilities.
Following that we picked up our SPRING SONG from last week, this time inserting improvisations, each in turn on the bass xylophone, _ exciting to hear all the variations while Mhairi kept the rhythmic support going on the metallophone.
Finally coming to CARILLON, we decided it's time to hear a recording of this, so that's the plan for nest week.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
RONDO À LA SPRING.
Inspiration this morning came from the daffodils blooming, the frogs returning to the ponds and the rhythms of all those 'spring' words.
This, in addition to the 3 new instruments, allowing everyone to have a good practice, awoke the creative spirit.
Using that well known rhyme,
Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where the burdies is.
for rhythmic inspiration, soon we had put together a four bar melody, playing it on the glocks and xylophones accompanied by ostinatos on the bass xylophone and the metallophone, which was a good first part of a rondo.
After all that, the confidence was flowing and a line of volunteers was ready to improvise a section, until every single member had played, - a 'stretched' rondo, for sure!
CARILLON, we played and sang, everyone ready today to give it a good ending.
We continue with Beautiful Africa, looking to begin with a harmony in the chorus, next time.
This, in addition to the 3 new instruments, allowing everyone to have a good practice, awoke the creative spirit.
Using that well known rhyme,
Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where the burdies is.
for rhythmic inspiration, soon we had put together a four bar melody, playing it on the glocks and xylophones accompanied by ostinatos on the bass xylophone and the metallophone, which was a good first part of a rondo.
After all that, the confidence was flowing and a line of volunteers was ready to improvise a section, until every single member had played, - a 'stretched' rondo, for sure!
CARILLON, we played and sang, everyone ready today to give it a good ending.
We continue with Beautiful Africa, looking to begin with a harmony in the chorus, next time.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
TOWARDS A GOOD ENDING
A new warm up song today was by Michael Stillwater, 'ONE BY ONE EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER", _ a lovely slow melody where we can really feel the sound quality of our voices. Moving on to singing this as a round will be for next week.
BRAND NEW DAY gets stronger week by week and we continue to listen hard, keeping the parts firmly together.
DUNCAN GRAY is a very good sing, if we can find a pitch that's comfortable for all of us and in our group which includes trained sopranos, fine tenors as well as deep basses, unison singing is not easy. We'll have to work on this problem.
CARILLON.
After some time spent on instrument technique, as well as practice in singing the song, we put it all together, glocks, metallophone, bass xylophone and this week Joan on flute.
This piece comes to an abrupt end, which is part of its impact. We played and sang it well, but didn't quite make the precision at the end, to get the full effect of that finality. Of course, that's something to work at and as we always say in our group, we WILL get there.
BRAND NEW DAY gets stronger week by week and we continue to listen hard, keeping the parts firmly together.
DUNCAN GRAY is a very good sing, if we can find a pitch that's comfortable for all of us and in our group which includes trained sopranos, fine tenors as well as deep basses, unison singing is not easy. We'll have to work on this problem.
CARILLON.
After some time spent on instrument technique, as well as practice in singing the song, we put it all together, glocks, metallophone, bass xylophone and this week Joan on flute.
This piece comes to an abrupt end, which is part of its impact. We played and sang it well, but didn't quite make the precision at the end, to get the full effect of that finality. Of course, that's something to work at and as we always say in our group, we WILL get there.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
WE REMEMBER BURNS
We can't let this 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns pass without singing some of his songs and we began with the comic love story Duncan Gray.
The text with many wonderful old Scots words is set to a lively tune and some time was spent discussing meanings and pronunciation using some detective work based around the rhymes.
One or two of the group had known a completely different text but couldn't remember it exactly, and went away to check that. I've managed to track down this version from 1851, Scottish Parodies (CLICK LINK) included in The Merry Muses of Caledonia, (enough said). Is this the one they've heard? All will be revealed next week!
Having sung the five verses of Duncan Gray, our energy was flowing so that we were ready for the more controlled, refined singing of CARILLON DE VENDÔME, putting in some practice on the parts.
After the break, we got out the instruments, this time using only those, glocks, metallo, and bass, plus flute as in the score and for the first time, put it all together, instruments and singers. We're keeping up the 'togetherness' in this piece and it's getting better week by week.
Beautiful Africa, on a beautiful, sunny morning, ended our session.
The text with many wonderful old Scots words is set to a lively tune and some time was spent discussing meanings and pronunciation using some detective work based around the rhymes.
One or two of the group had known a completely different text but couldn't remember it exactly, and went away to check that. I've managed to track down this version from 1851, Scottish Parodies (CLICK LINK) included in The Merry Muses of Caledonia, (enough said). Is this the one they've heard? All will be revealed next week!
Having sung the five verses of Duncan Gray, our energy was flowing so that we were ready for the more controlled, refined singing of CARILLON DE VENDÔME, putting in some practice on the parts.
After the break, we got out the instruments, this time using only those, glocks, metallo, and bass, plus flute as in the score and for the first time, put it all together, instruments and singers. We're keeping up the 'togetherness' in this piece and it's getting better week by week.
Beautiful Africa, on a beautiful, sunny morning, ended our session.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
TOGETHERNESS
After a good warm up, the singing voices in our group can be good, but this morning we showed our listening has improved enormously.
BRAND NEW DAY with its five bar phrases, is quite a challenge to sing as a round but that feeling of togetherness, which comes from listening intently while singing, was there and the parts kept in perfect time with each other. This song will become really enjoyable to sing and to listen to, when that listening habit becomes so embedded that it's effortless.
CARILLON DE VENDÔME
We had a good practice at this, everyone playing the instrument parts. Although we used all the instruments, the score requires only the glockenspiels, soprano and alto. plus metallophone and bass xylophone which leaves a good number of voices for the singing. What was impressive today was exactly that togetherness when Diana added her flute part and everyone was again listening while playing and singing to achieve that good 'ensemble'.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA. We sang three verses of this and are already beginning to feel comfortable with the tune _ a really good sing!
Thinking of Africa, and good singing, this video seems to fit.
BRAND NEW DAY with its five bar phrases, is quite a challenge to sing as a round but that feeling of togetherness, which comes from listening intently while singing, was there and the parts kept in perfect time with each other. This song will become really enjoyable to sing and to listen to, when that listening habit becomes so embedded that it's effortless.
CARILLON DE VENDÔME
We had a good practice at this, everyone playing the instrument parts. Although we used all the instruments, the score requires only the glockenspiels, soprano and alto. plus metallophone and bass xylophone which leaves a good number of voices for the singing. What was impressive today was exactly that togetherness when Diana added her flute part and everyone was again listening while playing and singing to achieve that good 'ensemble'.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA. We sang three verses of this and are already beginning to feel comfortable with the tune _ a really good sing!
Thinking of Africa, and good singing, this video seems to fit.
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
CARILLON WITH FLUTE
We began with BRAND NEW DAY, singing it many times, getting the feeling of Time's never ending flow. Long notes in this song allow us to feel our own voices strengthening with each repeat.
The beaters were bouncing today as we rehearsed the instrument parts for CARILLON DE VENDÔME and it was
quite special to have Diana playing the flute, completing the ensemble. The basses on the DIN DON worked on blending their bell sound and it gave a good support to the upper register voices in two parts.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, a song from the musical AFRICAN JIGSAW was our final song of the morning. In the news we see so much sadness and suffering in Africa that it's easy to forget what a beautiful country it is, rich in so many wonderful ways, and that not all Africans are 'victims'. This is a song about that. I know we will enjoy it in the coming weeks.
The beaters were bouncing today as we rehearsed the instrument parts for CARILLON DE VENDÔME and it was
quite special to have Diana playing the flute, completing the ensemble. The basses on the DIN DON worked on blending their bell sound and it gave a good support to the upper register voices in two parts.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, a song from the musical AFRICAN JIGSAW was our final song of the morning. In the news we see so much sadness and suffering in Africa that it's easy to forget what a beautiful country it is, rich in so many wonderful ways, and that not all Africans are 'victims'. This is a song about that. I know we will enjoy it in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
OUR MUSIC FOR WARM UP MOVEMENTS
Lucilla Galleazzi sings Voglio Una Casa, with the instrumental group L'Arpeggiata, led by Christine Pluhar.
INSPIRATIONAL SONG FOR OBAMA DAY
We warmed up the voices with the call and response: LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO eventually producing the good strong sound, needed for our next song.
Having introduced it last week, we worked at the song of celebration 'BRAND NEW DAY' which turned out to be completely appropriate with respect to the Inauguration Ceremony taking place across the Atlantic later that day.
Tides of time and rivers of song _ legends that whisper from days long gone _
Rocks of ages make us strong _ as the years go rolling away _
Celebrate the power they bring _ turn to welcome strangers in _
Coast to coast the bells they ring _ to mark a brand new day _ .
Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker.
After coffee, we returned to the Orff's CARILLON DE VENDÔME, the two voice parts blending nicely together over the basses intoning the DIN DON. Some practice on the instruments followed leading to making a start on the instrumental parts for the piece. Flutes (or glasses, as in the score) will be added next week.
INSPIRATIONAL SONG FOR OBAMA DAY
We warmed up the voices with the call and response: LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO eventually producing the good strong sound, needed for our next song.
Having introduced it last week, we worked at the song of celebration 'BRAND NEW DAY' which turned out to be completely appropriate with respect to the Inauguration Ceremony taking place across the Atlantic later that day.
Tides of time and rivers of song _ legends that whisper from days long gone _
Rocks of ages make us strong _ as the years go rolling away _
Celebrate the power they bring _ turn to welcome strangers in _
Coast to coast the bells they ring _ to mark a brand new day _ .
Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker.
After coffee, we returned to the Orff's CARILLON DE VENDÔME, the two voice parts blending nicely together over the basses intoning the DIN DON. Some practice on the instruments followed leading to making a start on the instrumental parts for the piece. Flutes (or glasses, as in the score) will be added next week.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
ITALIAN HOUSE AND FRENCH CHURCHES.
Our warm up music this morning was the Italian song Voglio Una Casa _ I Want a House _ composed by Lucilla Galleazzi, and sung by her in an arrangement by Christine Pluhar with the ensemble Arpeggiata.
The gentle but intense 3 beat metre suited our movements but it wasn’t until we sat down to listen again while following the text that the song could be fully appreciated. Beautiful voice and tender sentiments.
Awakening our voices after the long break we tackled some scales and breathing exercises before launching into the new song ‘Brand New Day”, written by Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker for the Milennium but definitely a good sing at any time. This piece will take some time to bed in but it will be worth the effort. (Don’t I always say that?)
The noisy as ever coffee break was followed by some practice on the instruments, up and down scales, stoating the sticks.
Then, continuing on the ‘new’ theme, we began a new Orff piece with French text, Carillon de Vendôme, arranged for 3 part voice ensemble with glockenspiels, metallophone and flute. We made a good start, singing the 3 parts.
I didn’t interrupt the flow of my blog to mention the fire drill which came smack in the middle of our listening to ‘I Want a House”. Suffice it to say that we all made a quick exit, out beside the pond, on a lovely morning, happy there was no real fire in our house (pictured above)
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
A CAROLLING MORNING
Somehow these icy days made me think of the Russian winter, reminding me of the lovely sound of the balalaika orchestra and this morning we warmed up to the music of Russian folk dance.
We were a big group today, with only two members absent so that standing close together and becoming aware of the blend of the voices we made a good sound, opening on THE CAROL OF THE ADVENT.
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? gives the opportunity for single voices to sing in 'call and response' style. Mairi, Jim, Isla and John each took a verse and backed by Irene on the drum, this song sounded effective.
We sang through THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS and repeated it, groups of 1, 2, or 3 singing each verse.
Rounding up after coffee took some doing as the talk was going strong but when we finally settled down we gave good energy to 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", a thoughtful carol and antidote to the pre-Christmas, buying babble.
Thinking back to THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS we decided the text was somewhat out of date and gave it our new 2008 RECESSION VERSION, to much hilarity.
Our Christmas lunch, organised by Carol and Gordon at the Douglas Park Golf Club, was a real joy - good food, wine and company. And of course we raised the rafters with our songs. Mairi, after some persuasion and reluctantly after eating so well, delighted us all with some 'joining in' songs.
My thanks to all for making this such a successful and happy session. ------------------
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Looking forward to seeing everyone back on 13th January.
With every good wish, Moira.
Click on the picture below to see the days events. Unfortunately you need about 15 minutes to watch it. There are a few videos in the presentation and depending on your broadband connection these take a bit of time to load. There are 34 slides to see and if you get a black screen when a video is loading just give it time and you will then see and hear us singing . Please make sure your sound it turned up. To see an alternative presentation for the photos only click on the small Christmas tree at the bottom of this post -- Cheers and Merry Christmas from Carol your webmaster
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| Enjoy Music_ Christmas 2008 |
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
ADVENT CAROL FOR THE CAFE STAFF.
We opened today with harp music by Alison Kinnaird _ Balfour Village and Shapinsay Polka, using its 8 beat phrases to pace our breathing and develop breath control.
Not quite hyperventilated, but certainly buoyed up on this intake of air, we then managed a good full sound in the 3 part harmonies of SENJUA.
SIYAHAMBA also needs good secure harmony and to this end we spent some time working on the second part, sung by the lower voices. Next week should see a big improvement on this.
Moving on to the instruments, we then built up the four ostinatos, underpinned by Carol on the drum with Moira Perritt making a magnificent effort on the bass xylophone, for I SHALL SING, before starting the song. Keeping all this together is demanding of everyone but well worth striving for as it's hugely satisfying to achieve that feeling of ensemble, plus - it's a good song.
THE CAROL OF THE ADVENT was our seasonal piece today and what a pleasure that is to sing!
Having been told by the cafe staff that they'd been listening to it from the balcony above us, we decided to wish them a good Christmas break by giving them a performance in the cafe at the end of the morning: a small, but appreciative audience.
Click on the picture below to see more -- Please allow time to load
Not quite hyperventilated, but certainly buoyed up on this intake of air, we then managed a good full sound in the 3 part harmonies of SENJUA.
SIYAHAMBA also needs good secure harmony and to this end we spent some time working on the second part, sung by the lower voices. Next week should see a big improvement on this.
Moving on to the instruments, we then built up the four ostinatos, underpinned by Carol on the drum with Moira Perritt making a magnificent effort on the bass xylophone, for I SHALL SING, before starting the song. Keeping all this together is demanding of everyone but well worth striving for as it's hugely satisfying to achieve that feeling of ensemble, plus - it's a good song.
THE CAROL OF THE ADVENT was our seasonal piece today and what a pleasure that is to sing!
Having been told by the cafe staff that they'd been listening to it from the balcony above us, we decided to wish them a good Christmas break by giving them a performance in the cafe at the end of the morning: a small, but appreciative audience.
Click on the picture below to see more -- Please allow time to load
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
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