Two concerts down, three to go...

First of the seasonal offerings was on Saturday 1st December, at the village hall in Mealsgate. A smaller than usual choir (only four of us altos!) and accoustics not as good as they are in the church where we usually sing, but the welcome and the hall were warm, and at supper afterwards, Janet's meringues disappeared like snow off a dyke, as always! Last night's concert at Isel Church was in aid of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, now celebrating its 50th year. It's a tiny gem of a church, which necessitated careful planning of 'where to stand'. But the accoustics were great, the effect of many lit candles made it wonderfully atmospheric, and the audience joined in the congregational carols with great gusto. Next week, we'll be at St. Philip's in Eaglesfield (Thursday 13th) and of course it's our own regular Christmas date at Christ Church in Sullart Street on Saturday 15th.

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.

Rehearsal 24th October

Very happy with our work this half-term on our winter concert programme.Starting early (and ignoring those comments about carols in September!) makes for a much more relaxed second half-term, as we polish up all those new items. Tonight, it was the Saint-Saens Ave verum, then a new lollipop by John Rutter, The Colours of Christmas. Is that description 'soft porn for choirs' fair? He seems to be in the same class as the sainted Mr Malone. Audience bait? We'll do anything to fill those seats! Then another Rutter arrangement of a Welsh traditional carol, Deck the Hall. Lots of counting needed to get it right, especially at the lick our Val likes to have it sung.... but we're getting there, and actually starting to enjoy it, I think! Finally, Douglas Cook's 'He wishes for the cloths of Heaven', which is absolutely lush. Next week is the half-term holiday, so see y'all on 7th November

Rehearsal 17th October

More note-bashing tonight. Working hard at memorising the Saint-Saens Ave verum. Then to the Carols for Choirs book, from which we practised Angelus ad virginem (lots of Latin tonight!), followed by Rutter's Deck the Hall (n.b. there's only one hall...) Friday's fund-raiser with John Crouch demonstrating French provincial cookery, followed by a meal, was a most enjoyable night, and thanks are due to all those who pitched in to help - making puddings, distributing samples of John's delicious food, pouring drinks, and then helping with all the washing up and tidying away. I'm not sure how much was made yet, as there are still a couple of bills to be paid, but it was a respectable sum, and I will let you know via this forum when the final accounts are done! I did take a picture on my new phone, but have yet to learn how to upload it....

Rehearsal 10th October

The Christmas programme is becoming gradually populated, if that's the word, with pieces that, initially tricky, are becoming more pleasurable to sing, and therefore sounding better! Tonight, John Rutter's Deck the Hall (tricky rhythms!), David Willcocks's Angelus ad Virginem, Douglas Cook's He wishes for the cloths of Heaven, and then Wherever you are, as a bit of light relief to round off the evening. Oh, and a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday for Sadie Best, who celebrates her **nd

birthday tomorrow. And will be celebrating in style at our fund-raiser on Friday evening at the Christ Church Rooms on South Street, when we have a demonstration of French provincial cookery from John Crouch, followed by a meal. Still a few tickets left at Billy Bowman's, if you've left it till the last minute!

Rehearsal 3rd October

Tonight we worked on the Saint-Saens Ave verum (I never see that composer's name without thinking of Peter Ustinov's brilliant voice-over recording for the Carnival of the Animals, which has to be about fifty years old... "Camille Saint-Saens (pronounced correctly as a very nasal San-Son, or something like...) was wrecked with pains, when folks addressed him as Saint Sains.." I digress. Then Sing until Sundown, followed by Douglas Cook's setting of Keats' He wishes for the cloths of heaven. These last two are quite tricky, so it was a spot of light relief when we started work on 'Wherever you Are', which the sainted Gareth Malone took to the number one spot last Christmas with his Military Wives group. I think we will do it justice!!

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?