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.