ENJOY MUSIC WITHOUT MOIRA

Led by Diana --- today's session opened with "CROSS CRAWL" exercises to warm us up followed by some beautiful slow movements to " I AM BODY PRAYER" sung by Aled Jones to PIE  JESU

Isla then had all the group engaging in diaphragmatic breathing and  vowel exercises.
Sue followed on with 3 poems, FRIENDSHIP by Elizabeth Jennings, followed on by "A LARK" and "THE SMALL GIANT" by Kenneth C Stevens.
Joan was next and she beautifully played THE SHEPHERD'S SONG by Mendelssohn on her flute and this was followed on by us all singing GREEN GROW THE RASHES O.
After coffee Jim got out his Penny Whistle and played 3 Scottish Tunes --- MY BOY TAMMIE, LEA RIG AND THE YELLOW HAIR'D LADDIE.

Irene was next and had us all singing 3 parts to Jean Redpath's BOTTLES OF POP / FISH AND CHIPS AND VINEGAR / DONT CHUCK YOUR MUCK IN OUR BACKYARD !!
Diana then read out 2 of her own beautiful  poems that she had written --- BUTTERFLIES and PRESENCES
Don't have the words to put on the web --- but thought you might all like this --

A new song was then introduced by Isla called the "SHOEMAKER'S SERENADE" which we all agreed was "Tickity Boo" !
Sheila finished with another poem - 'SONG OF THE MOUNTAIN ASH FAIRY'

The morning session was then rounded off  with a couple of our old favourites JULIAN OF NORWICH  and BEAUTIFUL AFRICA

An enjoyable morning was had by all and thanks to Isla for being the leader today-- However, we look forward to next weeks session on Moira's return from Copenhagan

WE REVISIT LAST WEEK'S SONGS

Fire Drill Practice ! - (click to enlarge)

We opened today with music from a Gaelic singer new to me at least, GRIOGAIR LAWRIE. I played the track ORAN DO'N MHORAIRNE which has a lovely lilting rhythm, just right for our warming up movements. Unfortunately our two Gaelic speakers were not with us (probably on one of their frequent trips to Skye) but I look forward to hearing their translation of the text when they get back.

 Of course we had to try to follow up on last week's session with Alison Burns and we started with her arrangement of PACHELBEL'S CANON sung to 'ALLELUIA" which was just getting going when the fire alarm rang with the result that we had a five minute sing in the open air, on the steps beside the pond. In spite of the morning chill, it felt good and I did hear the comment, "We should do this more often".

Coming in from the cold, we sang the lively EARLY IN THE MORNING, which had a warming effect, after which we listened to the CD track of Fly, Fly, Fly, joining in the chorus which we'd learned last week. Good to sing to the wonderful banjo accompaniment and this is one we'll work on in future.




We are gradually building up our skills on the instruments and all I'll add is that I feel sure we're on the verge of a breakthrough with the JAMESTOWN JIG. (!!!!!!!!)

I'll be away next week and will be back on 2nd November but I know the group will as ever, rise to the occasion next Tuesday, creativity to the fore, and arrange an enjoyable musical morning together.

A WONDERFUL DAY

Alison Burns (Front Row RHS) with the Enjoy Music Group - Click to enlarge

It was a treat for me today to take a back seat and hand over to ALISON BURNS, song maker, music educator, community choir and workshop leader. Our whole group benefited hugely from this exciting day.
With her gentle encouraging manner and deep knowledge of her material, she had us in the first half hour singing in four part harmony, a lovely arrangement of PACHELBEL'S CANON and since we only had to think about one word of text, ALLELUIA, we could enjoy the full impact of the harmonies as the four parts intermingled.

We moved on to a different style of singing in I'LL FLY AWAY, one of the songs from the film O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? and again we were able, in a call and response way, to bring four parts together, at the same time trying to sing in that rhythmical style of the American spiritual.
Our lunch in the Centre cafe was a good social occasion for our group as we enjoyed the food, fresh and appetising, laid on by Anne Hunter and her staff. We always appreciate being able to take our morning coffee there but that's such a short time and it felt good to have more time to talk.
The afternoon session began by exploring the DRONE, which exists in much traditional music around the world and how it feels to hold a drone as well as sing over it. We then experimented with harmony, singing different intervals together to feel the quality of the various groupings of notes. After this, we could savour fully the harmonies and dissonances of the African song we learned, with its slow, reverential first part followed by a joyful chorus.

To finish off the session we sang ALWAYS THE SINGING - Click on the link

Everyone agreed that Alison's day was a great success and there was an immediate call to have her do a return visit. To read more about Alison click here to go to her Website

WE MAKE A FULL SOUND

To get a better quality of video after pressing the play button then click on the number 240 and change to 480

This was a day of people returning from late holidays, hospital treatment and family commitments and what a difference the larger numbers made to our sound! The three parts of GAUDEAMUS HODIE blended well and the whole sound had a new richness and confidence.

Think about next week's visit by Alison Burns who will lead a Singing Day, we picked THE WIND BLOWS HIGH from her collection 'Ten Thousand Pearls', learning the second part and the tune. Of course these songs take a lot of bedding in and although today we just made a start, I think it's one we'll enjoy a lot, the better we get to know it.

Some members who had taken a glock and a xylophone home to practise surged ahead today when we moved on to the instruments and yes, we did learn and play all four parts of JAMESTOWN JIG, two sections in ABA form.
It may be halting and a little bit awkward for some yet but we are getting there!

REMINDER:

Next week, 12th October will be a music workshop day led by singer and music educator, Alison Burns. Members pay the normal fee and the day is open to friends and visitors for a charge of £5.

Programme: 10:00 coffee and introductions in the Community Centre cafe
10:30 _ 12:00 first session.
12:00 _ 1:00 lunch. Soup and sandwiches will be available to buy in the cafe, or bring your own.
1:00 _ 2:30 second session.

We're looking forward to a great day!