Rehearsal 11th january

Worked on four pieces tonight.Gwyn Arch's arrangement of Guantanamera, which we began last week; He ain't heavy, he's my brother, ditto, which we have now been right through; and, from Six Motets for Upper Voices, Saint-Saens' Ave Maria, which long-standing members will remember from Phil Woods' day; and Faure's Ave Maria, which is new to us.


Next week's rehearsal will begin at 7 and end at 9, to allow for the committee meeting held afterwards.

The keyboard connecters are gradually getting more adept at setting it all up in time for rehearsal, now that we have given up using the Music Society's piano for our rehearsals (thereby saving a substantial amount of precious income).

Lastly, Friday night is the 35th Anniversary Dinner, taking place at Hundith Hill Hotel, to which a number of old members are coming, and some very special guests. More next week (plus photies too, I hope).

Spring Term started today

Not very spring-like weather yet, but we live in hope. A good turn out and we worked on two new numbers in preparation for our next concert, whenever that might be! Val would dearly like us to learn some of them by heart. Mixed reception from members! He ain't heavy, he's my brother, and Guantanamera were tonight's pieces. Those of you who missed tonight's rehearsal can do some work on that second one at least, so you don't fall too far behind.
All our pre-Christmas performances went well. A good and appreciative audience for our Christ Church concert; a repeat visit to Portinscale WI, who particularly enjoyed our version of 'The Twelve Days after Christmas', and Christmas Eve at the Castle Inn.
Win has asked members to hunt out old choir photos - possibly of Marvejols trips - to take along to our 35th anniversary dinner at Hundith Hill on Friday 13th. Lots of old members coming along too - looking forward to a fun night.

Mammoth rehearsal 7th December

A three-hour session in preparation for Saturday's concert. Where does our MD find her energy, after a long and no doubt trying day educating Workington's jeunesse doree? But so worthwhile, especially for a choir member who's been playing hookey in Mauritius and missed far too many rehearsals. Come and see us at Christ Church in Sullart Street at 7.30 on Saturday to enjoy the results - plus the always enjoyable offerings from our guests, The Mechanics Band.
That's not it for the year though - still two visits to make: we are singing at Portinscale WI on Tuesday and then at Castle Inn on Christmas Eve.

Rehearsal 9th November

Good work done tonight on four Carol Concert items. Our joint number with the Mechanics Band is the wonderfully stirring hymn 'How Great Thou Art'. The next number was a rather tongue-in-cheek version of 'The Twelve Days After Christmas' by Fredereick (sic) Silver. We did it with Phil rather more years ago than some of us care to remember.... Then John Rutter's 'Donkey Carol' (quite a challenging soprano part!) and finally a traditional Austrian carol, 'He smiles within his cradle', arranged by David Willcocks. Nice alto drone-type part in verses one and three.
We've been through all the items in the concert now; the next four weeks we'll be polishing them up to performance standard!

Rehearsal 19th October

More work on John Rutter's Candlelight Carol this week - almost finished now. Then his Donkey Carol, which has a very catchy rhythm; and then the Willcocks' 'He smiles within His cradle'.
Next week is half term, so our next rehearsal is on 2nd November.

Rehearsal 12th October

Moving gradually closer to Christmas... tonight we worked on John Rutter's Candlelight Carol, which is lovely - of course! And then two carols from 'A Gospel Christmas' which have been sung by us before - but not whilst I've been a member, and I joined in 1999! These are The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy, and Children, Go where I send thee. I think we've been through just about all of our Christmas programme now, apart from the number we'll be singing with the Mechanics.

Two concerts and a rehearsal...October 5th

Back to Mealsgate last Friday night. It must be at least five times we've sung at the church there now, and as enjoyable a night as ever. Then on Sunday afternoon to St. Michael's in Dalston. Not a big audience but Val was very happy with the standard of performance.

Tonight, work on the Christmas programme started in earnest. In addition to Phil's new music we started work on five carols from our Carols for Choirs book. John Rutter's Donkey Carol, his arrangement of The Linden Tree Carol, and his Quem pastores laudavere; and two David Willcocks arrangements, He smiles within his cradle and Quelle est cette odeur agreable?

A good rehearsal, lots achieved!

Rehearsal 28th September

Spent the night going through the programme for Friday's and Sunday's concerts. It's a good varied programme.
Announcements made: we THINK we have been invited to sing at Portinscale WI on Tuesday 13th December - we sang there two years ago, just after the floods. They gave us a marvellous festive supper afterwards. Can't find any confirmation so we are trying to get in touch with them to make sure. Not as easy as it could be!!
We hope to visit our twin town, Marvejols, in August 2013. We'll have a social, probably in January, to give those who've not been before an idea of what it entails. The last visit was in 1998 (I think) so there are quite a few of us newer choir members who've not been and would like to know.
We are exploring the idea of a Christmas Party at the Hundith Hill hotel, to combine with a celebration of our 35th anniversary. It would be held on Wednesday 14th December and there was a promising show of hands in favour. Open to members, family and friends.

A new Phil Wood challenge!!

He does like his time signature changes doesn't he?? At this week's rehearsal (14th September) we started work on the second of the two carols Phil has written in honour of the choir's 35th anniversary, next year. Val and Ann-Marie had quite a time of it working out how to bring us in accurately, counting 'one two, one two, one two, one two, one two three, one two three, one - Aaaaaaa-dam lay ibounden!' more than a few times.....
Learning a new 'Phil' piece is always a challenge, but ultimately rewarding. We're not quite there yet!
Two concerts coming up - back to Mealsgate on Friday 30th September at 7.30. We really enjoy singing there, we are always made so welcome. And on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd October, at a new venue, St. Michael's Church in Dalston. This is in aid of the church restoration fund. We've also had a tentative invitation to return to the 77 Club in Loweswater on 24th May next year.

Autumn Rehearsals begin....

Tonight, Wednesday 7th September (very autumnal night.... no Indian summer this year!) rehearsals began for our Christmas concert - plus two more possibles for late September/early October. Watch this site for more details as they are 'firmed up' - one in Dalston and one at Mealsgate.
In recognition of choir's 35th anniversary next year, Phil Wood has composed two carols for us, and work began on the first of these tonight.