Rehearsal 28th November

First Christmas concert on Saturday, so tonight we went through Val's B-list to weed out the pieces that aren't quite ready to perform, and then sang the programme through. Having missed two rehearsals I've fixed a pre-concert note-bashing session with Lindy Wilson and Wendy Sanders for Saturday afternoon so as not to let the choir down... and to deserve one of Janet's meringues at the supper afterwards!! Looking forward to the first of quite a few carol services!

Rehearsal 7th November

Tonight we worked through (almost) our complete repertoire, to give Val an idea of what needs 'polishing' for our spate of December concerts. However, first, we learned one last new item, a traditional Louisiana spiritual, Poor li'l Jesus. Then Sing until Sundown, Wherever you are, Rutter's 'The Colours of Christmas', the gospel carol 'The Virgin Mary had a baby boy', the Saint-Saens motet, Douglas Cook's rather tricky 'He wishes for the cloths of heaven', and finally Rutter's Shepherds' Pipe Carol, which is initially tricky to learn, but once learnt, surprisingly easy to sing. No time for any more - just another two carols to do from our 'Red' books, and a final Rutter one, which will no doubt be squeezed in next week. Tonight's announcements: sadly, the proposed choir trip to our twin town Marvejols will not take place next year, as not enough members were able to commit. It has been suggested that those who would like to go, book on the biennial visit next autumn half-term. We could perhaps sing some barbershop arrangements during the bus journey..... Best wishes to Heather Crompton, who is stuck in Turkey for a few days with her husband whilst he recovers sufficiently to be able to fly home following a cycling accident during the half-term holiday. This will be the last blog for a couple of weeks, as I'm off to foreign parts this weekend - back on 28th November.