Enjoy Music and Fun at Fintry

Enjoy Music Group at Fintry -- Click to enlarge

On Moira Perritt's invitation, we held our last meeting of this session at her house in Fintry. The rain poured down all the way but the temperature was up and the coming of summer was confirmed by the many swallows that darted in front of the car as we approached Moira's house. What an inspiring setting for our music,- beautiful views in every direction and a warm welcome as we were ushered in.
Although our group of twenty filled the room we were still able to begin with some fine stretching and opening movements, led by Diana, to a vocalisation by the Swingles Singers of a melody by Bach.
From there on in, there was no stopping us as members one after the other, contributed poems and songs.
With everyone in good voice after that, and with our best Old Norse pronunciation, we returned to the Icelandic folk song about the coming of summer:

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.

Tune, traditional. Text, Jónas Hallgrímsson.

Our call and response song, LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO was a success as verse after verse was led with confidence, by a new person and spontaneous harmonies sprouted at the end of every chorus.

We ended the musical morning singing ASALAAM in four parts, the harmonies ringing to the rafters in the lovely room.

As Moira invited us to the buffet lunch, we were urged to feel free to spread ourselves around the house and we took full advantage enjoying the space, the views and the garden (when the rain subsided) as we ate and talked together.
This was a great ending to a good year, both musically and socially. This year has been hugely enjoyable for me thanks to the commitment, in every way, of all our members and I look forward to our next session, starting as last year, the second week in September: Tuesday 9th.
HAVE A GOOD SUMMER,

To see a few photos click on the small thumbnail photo

Enjoy Music Group at Fintry

WEATHERING THE BEATS ON THE XYLOPHONES.

We were small in number today which was an opportunity to have a good practice on the xylophones. Our song THE WEATHER was an exercise in using the beaters and finding the notes and it paid off when by our half way mark we were able to play the piece right through at a good pace. We moved on from there to improvise sections for a rondo using the xylophones and also the temple block and the cymbal. The inspiration was flowing and we made a truly original piece.
After the break we returned to the 'tricky' rhythms of THE FAIR LADY accompanied by Jim on the whistle and Diana on the flute, feeling the delightful effect of the composition when all the instruments are playing accurately and precisely.
Our morning ended with several energetic repeats of the call and response song LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO, with a different caller each time receiving enthusiastic and musical responses _ a good fun song.

For our final meeting of the 2008-2009 session we are all invited, beginning at 10.00,to Moira Perritt's farm in Fintry, where we'll stay for lunch from 12.00 onwards.

HAVE YOU GOT RHYTHM ?

A WHISTLE FOR THE FAIR LADY.

After warming up to the WEATHER song, we moved on to the African WATCHA, picking up the three harmony parts.
Getting down to instrument practice, we worked on the rhythms of THE FAIR LADY, simple but tricky and ultimately very effective in accompanying the song. That rhythm is not yet bedded in and some felt it easier to play while singing the song but the real challenge was when Jim added the tune on the tin whistle, a quiet, clear sound. Real concentration was required on the part of everyone to keep the piece together and we did manage it but perhaps next time we'll be less anxious and begin to enjoy it.
Still working on BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, these words are coming easier now and always uplifting to sing.
As before when I've missed a week the group took over and entertained each other and I think it's time I was in on this, so I'm suggesting that we have a re-run of last week's programme when we meet in Fintry on 19th May. Now that'll be a treat!
In our group of mixed voices we talk a lot about high and low registers in an effort to find a comfortable singing range for everyone.
Here are some musicians who between them cover quite a range, _ and with humour!