Our experiment with an early start on the instruments was short lived; cold mornings, frosted windscreens and dodgy roads got in the way so that we are now reverting ot the 10 o'clock start, coffee at 10.45 for 30mins. and then singing till 11.45 when we move on to the instruments and play till 12.30.
We began today with a piece from the Orff-Keetman repertoire, -- DORMI JESU MATER RIDET
Dormi Jesu, mater ridet,
quae tam dulcem somnum videt,
dormi Jesu blandule.
Si non dormis, mater plorat,
inter fila cantans orat,
blande veni somnule.
a beautiful lullaby in two parts with soprano solo, and accompaniment from xylophones.
When our mixed group sings in unison, the pitch is often low for the highest women's voices of which we have several and this piece gives them a chance to shine in the high notes.
Amid all the canons, rounds and learning of harmonies in our sessions, there is always a place for 'a good sing' and that's what we had this morning with WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS NOW! by Jerry Freeman from the musical 'Mame'.
Haul out the holly,
put up the tree before my spirit falls again;
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute,
Candles in the window, carols at the spinet,
Yes we need a little Christmas right this very minute,
It hasn’t snowed a single flurry, but Santa, dear, we’re in a hurry.
So climb down the chimney,
turn on the brightest string of lights I’ve ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
it’s time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough _
For I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder, grown a little older.
And I need a little angel, sitting on my shoulder,
I need a little Christmas now!
For we need a little music, need a little laughter,
Need a little singing ringing through the rafter.
And we need a little snappy, “happy ever after’,
We need a little Christmas now!
Just the ticket to see us through to the 25th December.
