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.