Wednesday 25 April 2012

CARILLON DE VENDOME - SINGERS TOO

Yes, we did put it all together and it will be interesting to see how we can learn from this recording and improve on it next week.

Tuesday 17 April 2012

SPRING-A-DING-DING.

After warming up with, among other things,

I NEED A WAITER _WITH SOME WATER -
I NEED A WAITER WITH SOME WATER FOR MY DAUGHTER
I NEED A WAITER WITH SOME WATER
WITH SOME WATER FOR MY DAUGHTER
SO MY DAUGHTER DOESN'T DIE OF THIRST.


the ditty, sung at a cracking pace and in four parts, left us with trembling lips and one or two aching jaws but voices ready for a good sing.

ALEYKUM ASALAAM was written and sung by choir leader Nickomo a couple of days after 9/11 and means "Peace be unto you". We quickly picked up its rich harmonies, settled into the full sound and sang it many times over.

Moving on to something more lighthearted which is a 'must' for this time of year, we relished Johnny Mercer's witty (often forced) rhymes for SPRING SPRING SPRING, from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Its easy swing pace allows us to enjoy the words, but finding spaces to take a breath is the problem here.
After singing the three verses through twice, I can imagine this is one we'll be humming over the dishes till next week.

Finally, we sang Carl Orff's arrangement of the French song, CARILLON DE VENDOME, then learned the instrumental parts. This went well but by the time we were playing confidently, many singers had left, so we'll need to begin with this one next week to get the full effect.