Rehearsal 26th September

Good work on our winter programme. Val would love us to sing the Saint-Saens Ave verum from memory. It's beautiful and not overlong, so we are gradually getting there. Next, from our Carols for Choirs book, a David Willcocks arrangement of Angelus ad Virginem. Then a Rutter arrangement (take note, Wendy!!) of the Welsh traditional carol, Deck the Hall. Followed by his Shepherd's Pipe Carol, which is challenging enough to remain propped up at my piano all week for a quick sing through whenever I have a spare moment! Finally, a sing through of Sing till sundown. Some lovely numbers here, but also quite tricky! Another concert for our diaries (the Google calendar will be updated when I have a moment!). Eaglesfield church, Thursday 13th December, 7 pm. A reminder that we have a social evening organised for Friday 12th October, at Christ Church Rooms. It's an evening with John Crouch, who will be doing a demonstration of French provincial cookery, to be followed by a two course meal. Details in this month's Cockermouth Port. Tickets £15 per head, available from Billy Bowman's or choir members.

Rehearsal 19th September

First, personal news: Naomi has had twins, and Enise has also had her baby. How lovely!! Jim Stafford (Jean's husband, and one of our most faithful and long-standing groupies) has health problems. We wish him all the best, and have him in our thoughts at all times.. Tonight's rehearsal, Saint-Saens Ave Verum; John Rutter's Shepherd's Pipe Carol, which has taxed us all somewhat but is gradually getting easier; and Malcolm Edward's 'Sing until Sundown', which Wendy Sanders sourced for us.

Rehearsal 12th September

Three pieces worked on tonight: John Rutter's Shepherd's Pipe Carol, which we didn't quite get to performance standard last year - so this time we're starting early. It's gorgeous, but not simple!! This time we'll do it. Next, An Ave Verum by Saint-Saens, a medieval text for Corpus Christe. Then we worked through to the end of Malcolm Edwards' Sing till sundown. Welcome to Heather, whose first night it was. Much laughter, as always - such a great atmosphere. Are all choirs so much fun, like this one?

Autumn term begins...

5th September and back to work after our (rainy) summer hols....and how very nice to see some new faces, thanks in part to the article in this month's Cockermouth Post, and in part to Wendy Sanders, who is just brilliant at persuading people to do things they didn't know they wanted to do - like join a choir! So hello Caroline (past member), Nicola (just moved to Cockermouth from Borrowdale) and Deborah. Tonight we worked first on a Douglas Cook setting of Keats' 'He wishes for the cloths of heaven'. Then 'Sing till Sundown' by Malcolm Edwards; and finally a lovely setting of the spiritual 'The Virgin Mary had a baby boy'. Next week we will need our copies of Carols for Choirs and we will also work on a fresh number from our Six Motets by Faure and Saint-Saens. Tickets will be on sale from next week for our fund raiser, An Evening with John Crouch. This will take place in South Street church rooms on Friday 12th October at 7.30pm. John will demonstrate French provincial cookery (with tasters!) and this will be followed by a two-course meal. Tickets will also be on sale at Billy Bowman's, cost £15, and there is a vegetarian/vegan option available (which must be prebooked). More on this in later bulletins!