Author: dmmm@blueyonder.co.uk

Please use this email – robertdbridge@yahoo.co.uk. The one in my previous post will likely go to someone else.

Lesley

Knitting goes virtual. If you would like to listen, please send Robert an email: robertbridge@yahoo.co.uk and he will send you the instructions.

Message from Robert:

We live in unusual times. The immediate dazzling shock and disbelief of lockdown has gradually subsided into dazed bewilderment and dismay about an uncertain future landscape. So many questions; few if any clear answers. This will obviously affect each of us in different ways – socially, financially and also in many simple and unseen ways, impinging on the things we take for granted and which enrich our lives.
For musicians, as for all performing artists, this has obviously been catastrophic, signalling an abrupt end to music-making of any sort – not just the more prestigious public performances but smaller-scale events, amateur groups and even informal private rehearsals. And of course the Knitting Concerts are not immune – although I would like to think that a few determined tricoteurs could put any virus through its paces.
So, how to proceed. Well the prompt for this was that I had announced a putative date at the beginning of March for a mouth-watering concert this May when a clutch of very gifted cellists headed up by Leo Melvin would be working their way through Bach’s Viola da Gamba sonatas. As the date has neared I’ve wondered what we could do. Clearly a live concert in front of a live audience was not on the cards. But then even a live video event was problematic with no imminent likelihood of getting access to All Saints to stream the concert from and more pressingly just too many logistical difficulties facing the musicians who needed to get together to rehearse. For all the wonderful technological aids available, and which many of us are learning about with indecent haste, there is still no clear platform for musicians to rehearse together online without laughable and unworkable time lags. So, regrettably, it seems sensible to put that particular programme on hold, hopefully for not too long, either until it is comfortable for them to get together and give a virtual performance or even invite a live audience.
And so I could, at this point, simply announce that the Knitting Concerts had gone into furlough. But the history of these concerts has always been wedded to the notion of accessibility and so if you can’t come to the music, I felt the music should come to you. So I am proposing to livestream a piano recital on Sunday May 17th at 6pm. This is an audacious gamble. I have yet to master the technology, find a decent microphone, persuade my piano tuner through my doors and figure out how to keep the dog quiet, let alone the rest of the family. And my hair is a mess. It is quite possible that my playing will sound even more garbled and incoherent than it does at the best of the times. But I think it’s worth a go. [I think all these things are sorted now other than the hair and possibly the dog -Ed]
I’d like to play you some Beethoven (the Andante Favori), some Ravel (his Jeux D’Eau) and quite a bit of Schumann (the whole of Carnaval), probably about 45 minutes of music plus a bit of customary chat and banter. You will get no cups of tea. It will be difficult to replicate the buttock-numbing effect of the All Saints’ pews. But if you really enjoy the music you will have the chance to donate a few pennies to one of the UK organisations that support the food banks that have become an ever more pressing need in this new world of ours.

Huge thanks to Chris Hawkins for establishing our first quiz last week. Very innovative and fun questions and pretty lighthearted so please don’t feel shy about quiz number 2 which we are offering you next Tuesday 19th starting at 7pm. If you would like to participate, please email Chris.hawkins2015@yahoo.com. Read below what technology you will need to take part. Please also note that your email address will be shared with your team for the purposes of you exchanging phone numbers to confer during the quiz.

You will need to have the Zoom video calling app on your laptop/iPad/whatever. It is best not to be using a phone as it will be difficult to see the written questions. If you don’t have Zoom already, you can download for free by searching for “Zoom” on your internet browser or in your App Store. Just follow the instructions and you will end up with an icon on your device. If you sign up for the quiz, Chris will send you an email link nearer the time. You will also ideally have WhatsApp for messaging/speaking with your team. When your team is allocated you will be put in touch with them by email to set up your WhatsApp group, so please note your email will be shared with this small group solely for that purpose. If you find the idea of this technology too much hassle but would like to participate, please contact me or Chris in advance of 19th and we can walk you through it.

Hoping everyone is in good spirits! Lesley lesley.morley1@gmail.com

https://www.theselfisolationchoir.com/ for under £15 you can have weekly sectional rehearsals starting tomorrow 31March for performance 31 May. All subs go to charity – use the link to find out more!

Choraline Isolation Choir Messiah – https://www.choraline.com/register – this link will set up a choraline account which will mean you receive their marketing as well as updates on this project.

Anyone daunted by the current supermarket/home cooking situation might be interested in trying Mindful Chef – here is a link to 25% discount for your first order courtesy of Tricia Joshi putting in an order https://app.mindfulchef.com/?referral_code=patricia%40joshifamily.co.uk

Stay at home and keep singing! 🙂

Hi All, seems I should have waited for the MP’s press conference. We will not be meeting tomorrow but starting our Easter break early. Obviously we would like to pick up again on 21st April in preparation for performing on 20th June, but will be guided by whatever social distancing measures are in place then. We are a close-knit group of friends and we will find ways to keep in distanced contact and to support each other over this extraordinary period, not just passing two metres apart in the loo roll aisle. Passing on best wishes to you all from Dave. Lesley

We are going ahead with the rehearsal tomorrow evening at Christ Church NOT Tower House. All of us are adjusting our behaviours for the potential impact of Covid-19 and we know some of you have already decided not to attend choir for the time being. We would like to find a consensus tomorrow on carrying on rehearsals and if we do, under what conditions and whether we should assume for now that we will still be able to have our concert in June. Unfortunately I will not be there as I’ll be driving across France and back but Dave will of course lead the discussion. best wishes Lesley

Poor Dave has tonsilitis but Alison Hunka has bravely agreed to step in tonight. Next week’s rehearsal is expected to be at Christ Church because the school is not free – I am just awaiting confirmation from CC. I can’t be there tonight, have fun! Lesley

Hoping to see everyone tomorrow evening. Take a chance to listen to the Birthday Madrigals if you havent already! Lesley

Reminder that we start the new term this coming Tuesday 7th Jan at our warm winter quarters – Tower House School, 188 Sheen Lane at 7.45pm sharp. Gate will be open – walk across the astroturf to the purple tiled wall on the other side, hall entrance in left corner. Please bring your Mozart Requiem score if you have one but we will be doing other things too. We will order more Mozart if there are enough to warrant a joint order. See you all there! Lesley