Christmas Concert, 7th December

Last night we had our annual Christmas at Christ church. A friendly and responsive audience joined us to hear us celebrate the centenary of Benjamin Britten's birth with a performance of his Ceremony of Carols, which the choir last performed in 1998 under the baton of then new MD Philip Wood. He was in the audience to hear us sing it again, this time accompanied by renowned harpist Mary Dunham. Solos were sung by Jane Gambles, Jean Lack and Anne Marie Kerr.

Other choir numbers were Rutter's arrangement of Personent Hodie; What Child is this, sung to the traditional Greensleeves melody; a Spiritual carol, Rise up, shepherd, and follow (popularised by the King singers!) and two gospel carols with a solo by Angela Evans. The programme was supplemented by a selection of ever popular congregational carols, and a solo harp selection by Mary Dunsford showed us just how versatile this lovely instrument can be. A Cumbrian Music Medley was followed by the lush slow movement from Prescetti's Sonata in C Minor. Chansons dans la Nuit (Carlos Salzedo) contained some surprising sound effects - a fun and original piece. A Welsh piece, of course: John Thomas's Minstrel's Adieu to his Native Land; and a jazzy finale, Deborah Henson-Conant's New Blues. Finally, before we repaired to the bar for drinks, nibbles (and raffle tickets!), the choir sang an impromptu performance of an old a capella favourite, Amen Siakedumisa, as a mark of respect to Nelson Mandela, who died this weekend. Further performances before Christmas: next Wednesday in Jennings Brewery Yard, with the Mechanics Band, at their annual Christmas Carol event; carols for Sainsbury shoppers next Saturday morning; and finally, Christmas Eve at Castle Inn, which seems to be becoming an annual event. Finally, thanks to old choir member Lynn Wolley, for coming all the way from her new home in Manchester to hear us sing. I promise to write more regular blogs next term so you can keep up with our antics!

Ladies that Lunch

Tuesday 8th October, a group of us met at Shill's for the first of what we hope will be many of 'Ladies Wot Lunch' occasions. We were joined by Doreen Wilson, who was chair of choir before retiring nearly ten years ago. She still is a keen follower and comes to all our concerts! Good craic, and delicious food of course! We hope to have these lunches about once every half term; I will be checking out the cafe at Jennings before the next occasion (since they've been so kind as to change the night of their Christmas Carol event so that we can take part!!). We'll be arranging this one for a Saturday, so that members who are at work during the week will be able to attend if they wish.

Saturday's workshop

On Saturday 21st September MD Val Hetherington organised a super 'away day' in the music department suite at St. Joseph's in Workington (where Val is Head of Music). A good number of choir members enjoyed learning all the numbers from A Ceremony of Carols that we'd not yet tackled. And, at the same time, had a really enjoyable day. There's nothing like a good sing to improve your mood and feeling of well-being. Except perhaps a good lunch... which we had too! There have already been requests to repeat the experience some time, and for learning something really challenging it's a great idea. Those who were unable to go will benefit too, as the confidence of the attendees when we go through the different numbers again will make it so much easier to follow the music.

Start of Term 4th September

Back to 'work' tonight. Lots to learn for Christmas! And a good start made on the Ceremony of Carols. The bag-pack session at Sainsbury in August raised a very welcome £351 (plus one Belgian franc...) which has gone into the pot to help defray the costs of our Christmas concert. Welcome to new member Abigail Cann. It's always pleasing to see new faces in the Alto section!! And how lovely to welcome back Jean Stafford; we've missed her over the past year. Some choir members are still enjoying their summer hols. By 21st September, when Val hopes to hold the full day workshop at St. Joseph's in Workington, they should all be back. The decision will be made next week as to whether we have enough participants for it to be worthwhile. Watch your email boxes if you weren't at tonight's rehearsal!

End of term news

What a triumph our summer concert was! All that patient coaching by Val paid off, with a flawless performance that had our Val in paroxysms of joy!! A good-sized audience thoroughly enjoyed both our offerings, and the performance by the talented young musicians of the Yann Tan Folk Music Group. A perfect summer's evening.

Janet Mansfield prepares tickets for her raffle-table of very desirable prizes; the young folk musicians warming up before the start of the concert. Final meeting of the season was our summer party at Bob and Sheila's Crosby home - and, at last, a balmy summer evening for us all to enjoy their beautiful gardens. Folk arrived in their gorgeous summer finery, together with platefuls of yummy food. Dave's bread gets special mention, and of course Janet's meringue mountain disappeared like snow off a dyke.

I apologise for having been so taken with the enticing supper tables I forgot to take many of choir members... just managed the one, and another of some very tempting salad leaves in the garden. Obviously no rabbits nearby! Some of us will be meeting on Saturday 3rd August for a fund-raising bag pack at Sainsbury's. An updated roster will be sent out nearer the time. And that's it until Wednesday 4th September, so have a lovely summer, everybody. And please write Saturday 21st September in your diaries too, as Val is organising a whole day session in her departmental rooms at St. Joseph's in Workington, where we will 'break the back' of the work required to learn our ambitious Christmas prgramme.

Rehearsal 3rd July

Friday night was our concert dedicated to the memory of Robert Rawlinson, at Bridekirk. I think it's fair to say the gratifyingly large audience enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed singing to them. What I hope is to be the final 'tweak' to our summer concert dress code, smart black with a flower in sweet pea shades, also met with approval. The photos who how good the appearence is!

The choral music was supplemented by solos from Jane Gambles and Ann-Marie Kerr. After the concert, we were treated to strawberries, shortcake and fizz. What a lovely night!! Tonight's rehearsal was spent tidying up a few loose ends in preparation for our main summer concert at Christ Church next week. A roster has been prepared for our bag-packing event at Sainsbury's on 3rd August; a copy will be sent out to all those who've offered. It is hoped that we may raise enough money to cover the cost of our special Christmas concert featuring Britten's Ceremony of Carols, with harp accompaniment. (November 2013 sees the centenary of his birth).

Rehearsal 19th June

Started early tonight 'cos it was the AGM. Managed to work our way through our whole summer concert programme, nevertheless! Well done! Next week will also be an early start, as we need to fine-tune our repertoire for our concert on Friday 28th June, in Bridekirk at St. Bridget's Church (see Cockermouth Post for details - just inside the cover!) Handed out tonight was a list of everything we've sung at concerts over the past year. The idea is to award a mark to everything you've sung, on a 1 - 5 basis. We can then see clearly what we all enjoy singing the most, and that will be a great help in future planning. Forms to be returned to Audrey Evans (treasurer) next week. No need to put your names on, we don't need to know!

Rehearsal 6th June

Some sightreading; we all got so involved that tea-break wasn't remembered till after half-past eight - most unusual!! Nomination forms were handed out for committee members for the next year. At this stage, just the right number, so maybe we'll get by without having to hold an election... or having to press-gang members, which is worse, so best avoided... Announcement made about a special winter concert celebrating Benjamin Britten's Centenary...(November 2013). Met with delight, despite the projected cost. But since then, it appears there is a clash of dates, so we may have to renegotiate. To be discussed next week. It was very nice to welcome back Audrey Albon, after her epic charity bike ride from Lands' End to John o'Groats.

Reheasal 22nd May

Last one before our half term break, followed by a committee meeting where arrangements for the next two concerts were made. Val Hetherington came up with a rather exciting suggestion for our Christmas concert.... to be announced, once the financial details have been worked out and agreed!! Audrey presented the year's accounts, which have now gone to be 'examined' (we used to say audited, but that's no longer the case..). Suggestions for fund raising were made, also to be discussed once inquiries have been made. All very mysterious, I know! At the weekend, a number of choir members joined the throng of well-wishers, friends and relatives welcoming back Audrey and Chris Albon from their heroic cycling journey from Lands' End to John o'Groats, which has raised money for the Arthritis Foundation.

Rehearsal 15th May

Tidying up our summer programme. Have decided that it's a bit superfluous telling you all each week what we've rehearsed. If you were there, you know it. If you weren't, just get in touch with Madam Chair if you feel like doing some catching up on your own between rehearsals, and I'll fill you in. Anyone has a problem with this, let me know and I'll revert to that weekly list. A number of members went to Robert Rawlinson's funeral at Bridekirk,; Sue wrote us a lovely note by way of thanks. He will be missed at our concerts, and our late June concert at Bridekirk, dedicated to his memory, will be a good opportunity to remember what he meant to us. Sue Hellier will have a new surname by next Wednesday (unless she's being very modern and progressive that is!!) as she and Andrew will be getting married at All Saints (by Wendy, of course!) on Saturday. We all wish her the very best - a wonderful day, and bliss ever after!! Next week's rehearsal starts early, at 7 pm. The AGM will take place on 19th June.

Rehearsal 8th May

Tonight we worked our way through practically all of our programme, with special attention to On My Own, from the Les Mis Medley, which forms a large section of the programme, and The Girl from Ipanema, which may be short but is tricky enough to require constant attention.... The choir were saddened to hear of the death of Robert Rawlinson, the father of Sue, who was our accompanist for quite a few years. Robert was a loyal and much-loved follower of the choir, attending practically every concert and always submitting his review to the press afterwards. The funeral will take place at Bridekirk on Friday at 11.00. He was keen for us to sing at Bridekirk again (it's been some time since we were last there) and had been busy arranging a concert when he died. The date of this is Friday 28th June and we will be dedicating it to his memory. On a happier note, the guests for our summer concert at Christ Church have been confirmed - the Yann Tan folk group, which will provide some very exciting variety to our programme.

Rehearsal 1st May

Not need to tweak the heating at last, hooray! But we did need to roll down the blinds to stop singers being blinded by the evening sun... can't have it all! Getting to know the summer programme quite well now. Tonight's rehearsal pieces were Shoshone Love Song, Sailing, the finale from the Les Mis Medley, The Girl from Ipanema (the trickiest piece we've done in a long while!!) and our two barbershop items. Owing to a clash of dates, we're having to rethink our offer of a summer evening at St. Michael's Church in Isel, but would still like to perform there if we can agree a date.

Rehearsal 24th April

The two simple gospel sosngs first; I'll fly away and Over my head. Then The Girl from Ipanema. I wonder if audiences will realise just how difficult this piece has been, and how hard we've had to work to learn it? I bet not!! Finished with the two barbershop songs, Big Spender and Diamonds. Back to usual time next week.

Rehearsal 17th April

Back from Easter holidays, and in the case of Gill Telford, the holiday of a lifetime (Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand). Also lovely to welcome back Kath Leck from 'sick leave'. Worked on three numbers tonight. 'Les Mis', The Girl from Ipanema which is finally taking shape (it's really been quite hard learning this one!!) and Big Spender. For one week only, next week's rehearsal will start at 7.30, which will give Val H. times to get home from a long session with the Ofsted Team (may not have got that quite right but if that's so, I'm sure someone will kindly point it out to me!)

End of term, 27th March

Last rehearsal of the Easter term. Next one after a two week break, on 17th April. It will have warmed up by then... surely.... But firstly, it has been agreed that the summer concert be moved to Sunday 14th July. The booking at Christ Church has been changed. As the Sunday afternoon is 'Messy Church' there, we'll keep our Saturday afternoon booking for a final rehearsal. Choir members/ partners will be asked to help with putting chairs into order before the concert. We'll look for 'volunteers' nearer the time. There's a lot to be done to get the programme up to scratch before then - although we have been through all of it now. Val has asked if members will make every effort to attend EVERY rehearsal between now and July. Tonight, we sang the opening number from Les Mis (At the end of the day); Diamonds, one of the barbershop numbers; Sailing, Shoshone love song, and Chicka-hanka.

Rehearsal 20th March

This began at our occasional early start time of 7 pm, as there was to be our half-termly committee meeting after the rehearsal. These meetings are when concert arrangements are finalised, dress codes discussed - oh, are they ever, and at length - and on this occasion, dates fixed for the AGM. AGMs are a necessary evil, and you'll hear more of this at a later date. Then a bombshell was casually dropped. Phil Wood's Papcastle Orchestra had been asked to play at an outdoor event in Gilcrux, which clashes with our summer concert. Emails have been sent to all members checking the suitability of an alternative date, as diluting each other's audience would not be good for either of us. The decision will be made next week. Phew! Despite all this frantic activity, we also rehearsed - the point of it all! Shoshone Love Song, which Val H. would love us to sing from memory (no comment from me). Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend, which we can now navigate ourselves around quite happily so must now learn to sing well! I'll Fly Away, a Gospel song and finally the beginning of the medley from Les Miserables.

Rehearsal 13th March

News service resumed after a gap - went to Mateira for some winter sunshine. Well, that was the plan. Didn't quite work out, so nice to be back in the Cumbrian sunshine, and having a good ol' sing tonight. The Girl from Ipanema's tricky rhythms are gradually becoming familiar enough to sound good! After which our barbershop number, Big Spender, seemed positively easy!! Finished with a complete sight-reading run-through of a medley from Les Mis. Choir first sang this waaay back in the early 90's, and it was obvious that quite a few vintage members still remember it well. I'm a bit newer, so will need to do some learning! Saturday's social was an enjoyable evening, with Janet Mansfield's meringues proving the show-stopper they always do. I think it has to be said, a choir social HAS to have Janet there so be considered a real success!

Rehearsal 20th February

How very nice to see Catherine Blanks back at choir, after her long bout of ill-health. Once we'd managed to get into the church (someone had gone home with the key in their pocket, so we had to call the Hanveys to pop down with a spare)we got to work. The barbershop number, Diamonds are a girl's best friend, is beginning to take shape - some tricky rhythms. Then Gwyn Arch's arrangement of The girl from Ipanema (ditto!)a bit of light relief with gospel song I'll fly away, and finally Shoshone love song. Don't forget we have a social evening (with musical entertainment) on Saturday 9th March.

Rehearsal 6th February

Last rehearsal before half term. First we worked through a gospel piece, 'I'll Fly Away' and then to our Barbershop songbooks, where we worked on two numbers; Big Spender (lots of fun practising the miaow at the end!) and Diamonds a a Girl's Best Friend. A thank you letter was read out from the Eaglesfield church where we sang at their Christmas Tree event in early December. Finally, after a show of hands, it was decided to hold one of our regular social evenings on Saturday 9th March. We have booked the downstairs room at the URC (with use of the kitchen) so please come along with a share-a-plate supper, something to drink, and friends or partners if you wish - the more the merrier! Val H. has kindly organised some musical entertainment for us. See you there. In the meantime, enjoy your half-term holiday!

Rehearsal 16th January

Started earlier than usual tonight, as there was a committee meeting directly after the rehearsal. These take place once every half term. The committee are members of the choir who take an active role in trying to make sure everything runs smoothly - it's an invaluable role, and very worthwhile. I feel that everyone should have a taste of it at some time during their membership of the choir. There's no need for specific skills, all members have something special to offer. They may not be keen on standing up and addressing the choir, but might be good at helping with social events in some capacity. Just a thought!! At tonight's meeting, it was agreed to create a post of 'concert facilitator' (or something like that... can't remember the exact words... champion? supremo? ) Janet Mansfield volunteered, an offer that was gratefully snapped up!! You'll see more about what that means at our next concert. We also talked about trying to recruit a team of keyboard removal personnel, to help alternate the setting up of the keyboard at concerts, and then putting it back into storage afterwards. It's not a problem at rehearsals, but when it's being transported elsewhere it takes time and effort. It's heavy! But lightweight keyboards just don't cut the mustard for professional gigs. And now to the music we worked on tonight - the real point of our evenings together! Gwyn Archer's arrangement of 'The girl from Ipanema' is a piece we've worked on before, but not managed to finish. (Reason: it's difficult!!) So we worked on a few more bars, and we'll get it done eventually, and then wonder what all the fuss was about! Then two fun (and easy) pieces, Chicka-hanka (a 'track labourer's song') and Gavin Sutherland's 'Sailing'. Finally, from our new Ladies Barbershop Songbook, parts of Big Spender and Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.

Spring Term begins Wednesday 9th January

Our new term starts tomorrow. Dates of rehearsals are all to be found in the diary. The Christmas concert events all seemed to go very well. Robert Rawlinson's review made the front page of the Times and Star, and was very positive. The red carol books can now be packed away for a long rest, and we can look forward to learning some new, fun numbers - in particular from the Ladies Barbershop Handbook that arrived late last term.