Category: Choir Updates

Dear All

Thanks to all who have contributed to keeping the choir going, offering gardens, bringing wine, singing, sending moral support – I think we have used this enforced downtime well and we are still very much a choir. We just wait to be able to sing normally again.

In the meantime, some of us have looked at some of the pieces that Dave had suggested as a concert of traditional and folk songs for the autumn. We have to accept that this concert possibly won’t happen at the original time, but we have enjoyed working on a number of pieces.

Danny Boy – a complex, 8-part arrangement littered with ornate harmonies. We can give verse 1 a pretty good sing; verse 2 is still a challenge.
Shenandoah – my favourite of those we sang, we practised staying in tune on the first two verses; we have the gorgeous harmonies of verse 3 pretty well mapped out; and the second sops and altos have done a fabulous job of picking up the incredibly tough ‘stretto’ verse 4.
Linden Lea – we learned this pretty quickly. A nice, easy one with pretty straightforward harmonies.
This Little Light of Mine – we now have the tune irrevocably buzzing in our heads. Arrangement and harmonies to follow.

We have not yet looked at several others:
Ellan Vannin – a simple arrangement similar in structure and style to Linden Lea. We will pick this up quickly when we try it out.
The Turtle Dove – a beautifully mournful arrangement by Vaughan Williams.
The Lover’s Ghost – another eerie piece by RVW, and of similar moderate trickiness.
I Love My Love – an SSAATBB arrangement by Holst that we looked at a couple of years ago, but never performed. Some tricky rhythmic patterns in the upper parts, but another lovely piece.
Swansea Town – an upbeat, sailor’s tail with a catchy tune. Tricky parts where the tune passes from part to part intra-verse, and some good counterpoint too.

All of this music is available on the website, https://sheengatechoir.co.uk/downloads/repertoire-outline-for-autumn-2020-concert/

We also sang simple warm-up arrangements of Amazing Grace and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Thank you to all who did so. It was really nice to hear something that I had arranged being sung and sounding rather lovely.

For all of these, we have used specially-created practice recordings which amplify a given part over the rest of the choir to allow work at home. And we have sung along to YouTube recordings too. Many of you have found these recordings helpful. Please continue to use them, and let me know any suggestions for improvements.

I have actually set some of them up on a YouTube channel, #ChoralPracticeRecordings. If you were able to visit me there, subscribe, listen often, leave an occasional Like or a comment and do your practice on YouTube rather than from the links on the choir website, that would be very helpful! I won’t get rich with these, but a bit of a following might be nice. 🙂

We have nothing planned for the rest of August. But I am sure that we have sufficient interest to be thinking of how we can meet in September. Gardens are probably out given light and temperature, but we will see. In the meantime, keep singing along to the radio, to the sounds in your head, to YouTube recordings or whatever, and watch this space for news.

Chris, pp Lesley et al

Hi all, next Tuesday 11th is going to be our last informal summer meet up and its going to be a big one. Thank you to Suzanne for the invaluable use of her space over the past weeks, it has been amazing. We are MOVING to Mrs Joshi’s garden for our last one – 18 Roedean Crescent. Plenty of parking but you can also navigate there on foot via Palewell. Side gate will be open for access and bike storage. We start 7.30pm sharp and move on to drinks afterwards – please bring your Covid appropriate beverages. If you can’t come early, come late anyway. Plenty of space!

Please do homework on Shenandoah, Swansea Town and Ellen Vannin. We can definitely nail them all if you do. Find Chris H’s practice tracks via the post entitled July 22nd/28th. Sorry that practice copy of Ellen will suck all the ink from your printer or you can by a proper copy now. If you have Faure Requiem, please bring as we may do Agnus Dei (by popular request) but we also have another last minute treat being rustled up – it will be easy!

Have a great sweltering weekend. Any queries please call me or email Lesley.morley1@gmail.com; 07802796410

Hi all, all those willing, able and not in quarantine are welcome to meet again on Tuesday at the earlier time of 7.30pm in Suzanne’s garden for a full group but suitably distanced session. There is plenty of space to spread out and to arrive and leave at appropriate distance. Apologies if this is too early for some, please come late if you wish, but we expect to finish by 8.45pm latest as it gets dark and chilly earlier. Look back at Chris’s last post for easy access to practice tracks and temporary copies. You will need:

Amazing Grace; Rainbow; Danny Boy; Shenandoah; Mozart score – to do Lacrymosa (by popular request), Linden Lea (if time allows). If you can please have a brush up beforehand with the recordings on the Danny Boy and Shenandoah sections which Chris discussed in the last post, we can have a good go at them. Robert will again be with us for support but it would be great if we can give ourselves the confidence by refreshing at home first.

Hope everyone is well and especial best wishes to those who don’t feel ready yet to be with us. We have not forgotten you!

Lesley

Thanks all, and especially Suzanne, for another lovely little sing last night. It truly is an uplifting, joyful thing, just to make pleasant sounds together.

We sang:
Amazing Grace and Somewhere Over The Rainbow for warm up. In a perfect world, we would learn these by heart so that we can close our eyes and sing them together, relying only on our ears and the singers around us. These are only warm up pieces, but by all means give them a few minutes of your time. It would be lovely to have little pieces like this that we can sing together perfectly any time.
We ran through Linden Lea – this is already solid. Maybe a couple of places where the lower parts could be more precise. Practice tracks are there for you to check at home.
We took our first look at the beautiful Erb arrangement of Shenandoah. We picked up the tune straight away, and there was brilliant work on both sides on staying in tune. Nobody slipped at the two places I highlighted as risks. Excellent musicianship all around. Followed up with a fantastic first shot at the verse 4 ‘stretto.’ Sop 2s got it straight away – but it gets harder with the lower parts trying to throw you off. I’d suggest spending 10 minutes with the practice track, then singing with the YouTube recording by Royal Holloway. Altos – we didn’t get to your second echo in V4 – by all means have a look and a listen. And for all – take a look at the 6-part harmonies of verse 3. Hopefully we could have a bash at this next time we are together.
Then we turned to Danny Boy, and reviewed the 8-part harmonies of verse 1. Again, this will benefit from some practice at home. Tenors, very best of luck with your crazy passage at the top of p2.
And for the simple pleasure of singing something we know well, we had a ragged attempt at the Hostias from the Mozart Requiem, and a much better crack at the Cantique. Suggestions for other things we can knock out without much effort greatly appreciated.

Music and other resources:
Following multiple people telling me that they couldn’t find music, I have reorganised everything and it now resides HERE. You can navigate to this page from the top menu: click on Music and Media Library, and then Repertoire for Autumn 2020 Concert. There are unofficial copies of copyrighted music here, for private rehearsal use only.
The warm-up pieces are in the Downloads page, again accessible from the Music and Media Library dropdown.

Next week, July 28th:
We agreed that it makes sense to have another sectional session to work through some notes before we put things together as a choir again. So look out for an email from your kind section host, and please RSVP promptly.

Have a lovely week!

Just wanted to let you all know that I’m doing a concert on Monday 27th July. For those of us who have now forgotten what this means it basically involves getting a bunch of musicians together and performing some pieces of music. In my case I’ll be joining cellist Jonathan Stallick and violinist Liz Baldey to play a Haydn Trio. I’m not sure what our trio is called, as we’ve yet to meet, but as he’s balder than me I’m going for The Three Baldeys. We are going to livestream from the Great Hall at Fulham Palace, reputedly the most haunted room in London, so there may be a few unexpected guests. We’re starting at about 7.15pm when Jonathan will play the opening movement of Bach’s G major Cello Suite, then I’ll join him for The Swan by Saint-Saens and then all three of us will rip through the G major Piano trio by Haydn, known as the Gypsy Rondo trio. It will be seat of the pants stuff as our first rehearsal will be at 6pm that night but I think it will be a lot of fun.

We’re live streaming on FaceBook Live and here is the link – https://www.facebook.com/jstallick/posts/10159324498344625

for which I suspect you will need access to a FaceBook account. I appreciate this may be an obstacle for some of you but if you can join please do. It would be nice to have a decent virtual crowd. We have to finish by 8pm because that’s when the ghosties have their Bingo evening so it will be short and hopefully sweet.

Robert

Hello choristers! After the genuine joy of being able to sing together again last week, we are going for a repeat this coming week: Tuesday 21st – meeting again at Suzanne’s (45 Fife Road, directions below – THANK YOU, SUZANNE!). 7.45 kick-off, sing for an hour or so. Plough afterwards. TWO ADDITION THIS WEEK – PLEASE BRING SOMETHING TO DRINK TO KEEP YOUR WHISTLE WETTED, AND ROBERT WILL BE THERE! (No need for glasses, I have the choir stash. And these two things are entirely unrelated.)

PLEASE RSVP TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COME. THANKS. chris.hawkins2015@yahoo.com

The draft repertoire for the Autumn concert of traditional songs is now on its own page on the website, with links to sheet music (FOR REHEARSAL ONLY, SOME IS STILL UNDER COPYRIGHT), practice recordings and YouTube recordings. Find it HERE.

Running order for Tuesday evening:
Warm up – Amazing Grace; and another little arrangement of mine – Somewhere, Over the Rainbow. A tiny nugget of musical beauty, and an excellent piece to encourage us to listen to each other. I have uploaded to the Media page (not the concert listing page). Please take 1 minute and 44 seconds to have a listen through and print off.
Singing for fun – Hostias from Mozart Requiem – once through.
Autumn pieces – Linden Lea – run through once; Danny Boy – just verse 1 again. Please take another look at your part, especially those that are divided. Aim to get notes learned ready to move to v2; Shenandoah – NEW, uploaded to the website, please take a look and listen. Work on the tune for all, and stretto last verse to help Sop 2s.
Singing for fun – Cantique de Jean Racine – once through

So, music to bring:

Mozart Requiem (book)
Cantique de Jean Racine (here if you don’t already have it or have lost it!)
Linden Lea
Danny Boy
Shenandoah
Amazing Grace
Somewhere, OtR (here)

And, looking ahead to the following Tuesday, we thought it was worth reconvening as sections, and taking a look at the trickier parts – v2 of Danny Boy, the harmonies of Shenandoah specifically – to get those notes laid down before we try those again as a choir.

The idea is that our time as a full chorus is precious right now, and we want to make sure that we are able to make a nice sound when we are together, not spend those few minutes trying to learn notes.

Any thoughts or suggestions (especially for things we can sing just for fun) please shout!

Directions: Turn left at the top of Sheen Lane if you are facing the park, 45 Fife Road is on the dogleg corner of Fife Road and Sheen Gate Gardens. So you can also get to it by turning into Stonehill Road or Clare Lawn Ave and taking the next right. The garden gate to the left of the house will be open.

Hello all, Hope everyone is well and enjoying the improving weather.

So, we have had a smattering of sectional rehearsals, learning a bit of a couple of songs that Dave is looking to perform in the Autumn. Now we would like to try to put things back together.

Ongoing regulations mean that we cannot all meet, even outside, and sing together, unfortunately. But we have a number of gardens in which we can stand far enough apart, and try singing as a 4-part choir again, with no more than 8 of us in a group. So that is what we are hoping to do.

Right now we have ten people signed up, but I am sure that I have missed a couple of emails – apologies to those who replied who are not listed below. Could I ask for any more who would like to sing a little on Tuesday evening, to remind ourselves (and our neighbours) how wonderful it is to create music together? We really need at least 4 from each part to be able to create 2 minichoirs, 6 of each to go up to 3.

Look forward to making nice sounds in a few days.

Chris – RSVP to chris.hawkins2015@yahoo.com

Currently signed up:
Soprano
Paula Frew
Trish Joshi

Alto
Marilyn Tyler
Lesley

Tenor
Stephanie

Bass
Chris H
Gareth
Nick
Simon
Roger

Hello again. Three updates for you. First, from quizmistress Teresa regarding the quiz tomorrow:

Dear All – if you’re joining the choir quiz on Tuesday, please let me know your favourite composer and favourite piece (not necessarily connected) soonest! Zoom invite to follow in due course. Big surprise for the interval you will not regret it! Thanks
Teresa X.
PS – 7.15 meeting start for 7.30 first question.

Second, on the Media section of the website there are now practice recordings of all 8 parts of Danny Boy. Hope they are helpful – any feedback, please let me know.

And third, we have a good start in terms of sign up for our first reconvening on Tuesday July 14th, but we would love to see many more. Don’t forget to drop me a quick email to tell me that you are able to sing that night. Look forward to seeing you then.

Chris

Well, sort of at least. We have plans for each of the next three Tuesdays, and hopefully beyond. So please read on carefully. There is loads of stuff in here, sorry for the massive post.

First, thanks to all who took part in the garden/Zoom sectionals this week. The idea of laying some solid foundations in the pieces we are hoping to perform in the Autumn seemed to work pretty well given the circumstances, so we are looking to continue on that path.

BUT FIRST, on Tuesday June 30th at 7.15pm we have the FIFTH SGC QUIZ NIGHT.
With Teresa as quizmaster and some special features promised, this is not one to miss. Teresa has asked that people RSVP as soon as possible – I suspect she has found a way to deliver delicious nibbles through Zoom and needs to know how many to cater for. Please can you mark your calendars and confirm with Teresa that you will be joining as soon as possible. And in your mail (which must only go to Teresa) you need to answer two preliminary questions: name your favourite composer, and your favourite piece of music (which does not have to be by your favourite composer). Intriguing, huh?

Next, for the first two Tuesday evenings in July, we are looking to continue with the work on the traditional songs for the Autumn concert. The next piece is an arrangement of Danny Boy which was done for the Kings’ Singers. You can hear it on YouTube. We all need to buy this sheet music. It is only £1.99, postage included. There are no bulk discounts so each singer can go to MusicRoom and order their own copy. Here’s the link: https://www.musicroom.com/product/HL08741129/KS.aspx When my own copy arrives I will make some of the recordings like for Linden Lea so you can rehearse against a backing with your own part picked out.

Tuesday July 7th we will have another garden/Zoom sectional to look at Danny Boy, check we have not forgotten Linden Lea, and we may add a simple arrangement of Amazing Grace in as a warm-up option. You will get an email from your section host in due course. (And if you would like to volunteer to host please let Lesley know.)

Tuesday July 14th is the evening that we are aiming to sing together again in some form. Depending on numbers, we will either meet as one group, suitably spread out from each other in a public place. Or else we will split into mini-choirs of 1-2 per part and stay in back gardens. (This won’t work for Zooming because of the lag.) All with strict observance of current guidance on distancing. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you will be able to join for this so we can figure out the right plan. Could you email Chris H to let him know if you will be there please?

Recap:
* Tuesday June 30th – Quiz night – come and be part of a team!
* Tuesday July 7th – Sectional in gardens or on Zoom
* Tuesday July 14th – singing together again, as one choir or mini choirs in locations TBC

To do list:
1. Block out Tuesday evenings in your calendar again.
2. RSVP Teresa today to say you’ll be at the quiz, with your favourite composer and piece.
3. Buy copy of Danny Boy and have a go at it. Watch out for practice tracks on the choir website.
4. Look out for email from member of your section inviting you to sectional on July 7th.
5. Email Chris re Tues July 14th, and be ready to sing again, even if not in our usual size or setting, in just a couple of weeks!

Phew. Well done and thanks if you have read down to here. Sorry it’s so much, and looking forward to singing with you very soon.

Finally, if anyone has any thoughts, concerns or general inputs into the questions of how choirs work in the post-COVID world – rehearsals, face masks, concert attendance, hopes and fears, whatever – we would love to hear your thoughts. Please email Lesley or Chris.

Chris

Dear all – apologies for this long post, you’ll need to log in to read.

I hope everyone and your families are well. Many of us are very much missing singing together and it’s now been too long! Given the relaxation of lockdown, we are going to try to establish some choral activity within social distancing rules, ever hopeful that we will be able to be together again from 8^th September as planned.

We are offering you experimental distanced sectional rehearsals on Zoom next Tuesday evening. This will start at 7.45pm and endure for around 45 mins. We will focus principally on one of the pieces chosen by Dave for next term (Linden Lea: R Vaughn Williams)

We may add something else very straightforward which Chris H and I are in the process of selecting to help us relax into some easy harmonious singing when we are able to be together again.

For Linden Lea, Chris H has recorded each voice line on piano and has loaded them on the website along with the score for Linden Lea and a recording of all parts played together. THANK YOU CHRIS. You will find them on the homepage and in downloads.  We plan to do the same for the other piece, when finalised.

Each section has a volunteer host:

Sopranos – Lesley Lesley.morley1@gmail.com

Altos – Siobhan jonezfamily658@virginmedia.com

Tenors – Teresa Tess47mail@gmail.com

Bass – Chris H chris.hawkins2015@yahoo.com

If you would like to participate:

1. please contact your section host asap and they will send you the Zoom link before Tuesday evening. You will need to have the Zoom software downloaded onto your electronic device/computer (see previous posts). Additionally and weather permitting, each host is happy to have up to 5 people attending in person in their gardens so please let them know if you would prefer this option and they will give you the location.
2. Find the score for Linden Lea on the website and print off the score before Tuesday evening.
3. Find your recorded part on the website and listen to it before Tuesday. There is also a four part recording so you can hear what it will sound like together.

On Tuesday, everyone will Zoom in or attend in person at 7.45pm. To start rehearsing, your host will put everyone on mute other than the garden/host venue;  they will share their Zoom screen and play the section recording. If you are not attending in person, you will only be able to hear yourself and the host group. For this reason it will be particularly useful to have more than one person in the host location. We expect to practice for around half an hour with another 15 mins at the start for hellos.
We will plan to do some more in the next few weeks and may refine how this works if possible after trying it out and over the summer to provide some fun for all and so that we can sing with confidence when we are eventually allowed to meet inside. There will be no charge for these sessions over the summer.

But Tuesday 30^th is another QUIZ. Robert’s last week was rather tricky but brilliantly interesting and funny. It’s hard work putting these together but a lot of fun for everyone who attends. I for one am absolute rubbish, so please join us if you have been thinking about it and are not sure. Team work! Teresa is compiling the quiz for 30^th June so please email her if you plan to participate so she can send you the Zoom link. One of the quiz rounds will involve matching a favourite composer and a favourite piece to each quiz contestant. So you need to choose your two favourites and send them to Teresa (only) by Monday 29^th June. Tess47mail@gmail.com

Have a marvellous weekend all.

Lesley