Counting the days now until In Flagrante returns again on 05 September.
We are pleased to welcome back Elliot Clay as he returns to lead us towards our Winter/Christmas Concert on 06 December.
Many of you will already know him from his leadership in the past. He also came to see and hear us in our very successful sell out concert in July, so he knows the high standard we can produce. He will work us hard and help us give another successful return performance of which we can all be proud.
A little taster of the starting songs which we have previous sung, so we return to a gentle start.
Vincent, is a song by Don McLean, written as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh. It is often erroneously titled after its opening refrain, "Starry, Starry Night", a reference to Van Gogh's 1889 painting The Starry Night.
'Struggles with his mental health led Van Gogh to admit himself to the psychiatric hospital of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Throughout his twelve-month confinement, he continued to paint. It was a period of anguish but extraordinary creativity for Van Gogh, in which he produced some of his most dazzling and beloved works', One being The Starry Night.
McLean wrote the lyrics in 1971 after reading a book about the life of Van Gogh. It was released on McLean's 1971 American Pie album; the following year, the song topped the UK Singles Chart for two weeks
The Rainbow Connection is a song from the 1979 film The Muppet Movie, with music and lyrics written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher. The song was performed by Jim Henson – as Kermit the Frog – in the film
Autumn Leaves is a popular song and jazz standard composed by Joseph Kosma in 1945 with original lyrics by Jacques Prévert in French (original French title: "Les Feuilles mortes"), and later by Johnny Mercer in English. An instrumental version by pianist Roger Williams was a number one best-seller in the US Billboard charts of 1955. Autumn Leaves was recorded steadily throughout the 1950s by leading pop vocalists including Steve Conway (1950), Bing Crosby (1950), Steve Allen (whose rendition was the only other version to chart in 1955), Nat King Cole (whose version was used in the 1956 film Autumn Leaves), Doris Day (1956),, Frank Sinatra (1957) and Eva Cassidy.(1996)
These three songs are arranged by Eamonn and they will appear in Dropbox soon. Those of us who have previously sung these songs can return to our archives and find copies ready for next week.
Looking forward to seeing you all again in good voice on 05 September when we will sing out again.
At last night’s sell out concert all the hard work and effort we have put into our singing over the past few months came to fruition.
Eamonn had us dig deep to bring out the best of all of us as we entertained our family and friends who responded with rapturous applause.
For those of us at their first concert, I’m sure you now know that feeling of exhilaration and discovered you have hidden depths and talent that having the magic of Eamonn directing us in front of a live audience brought out in you.
Enjoy the summer break and we look forward to singing together again and getting ready for the next performance in November.
See you on 05 September.
With our Tenor ringer showing his talents at the piano, Eamonn was able to conduct us which makes it easier to know when the phrases begin and end and whether it is soft or loud and when not to breathe.
This only works if you watch him! Eyes up at the critical moments!
Although I feel like a broken record, it is essential we are all singing off the same page, so to speak.
Hold your music up and out from your body. Easy to flick your eyes up to see Eamonn.
I have every confidence you will have practised a lot and you know most of the words, especially at important parts so you have eyes up and watching.
The endings on most of the songs are repetitive – there’s no excuse not to have eyes up at the end.
We seemed to have lost our syncopation last night in several of the songs. However, when Eamonn did his leprechaun twitch, we got the message.
Strangely, Eamonn would prefer not to have to do this in the concert!
A few more tips:
If you can’t hold the long note at the end, just fade away.
During most of the phrases; don’t breathe. You will see Eamonn beckoning you with his fingers to remind you if you have your eyes up!
Remember the difference with Oohs and Ohs in Waterloo Sunset. It maybe only one ‘o’ difference but a huge contrast to the sound.
The Rhythm of Life is sectional, so mark your music score accordingly if you feel you are getting lost.
Next Tuesday we will have semi concert conditions.
Please try and arrive and be ready by 19:15, if possible
Your patience will be needed as Eamonn places each of us in our positions to sing. The stress levels can be high so beware, as ‘Mean Eamonn’ can appear!
We will be standing most of the time, although chairs will be available for those who cannot stand for long periods.
It will be a totally different experience facing the other way with the keyboard to the side and Eamonn right in front behind the lectern.
Once in position we will sing through Part 2 of the concert (sopranos will be in the firing line if they don’t get their Sha la las right!), plus anything that needs going over from Part 1, if there is time.
Simon and Garfunkel, their Concert at Central Park. A truly beautiful song.
On The Concert Day, please arrive at 17:00, ready dressed, for a full run through, including the ringers. We will take a break around 19:00 for refreshments which will be provided.
The Concert will commence at 20:00
Keep your eyes up and watching.
See you next Tuesday for a prompt 19:15 start!
