In Flagrante Sings Out

When In Flagrante first formed back in 2016, we were a very small fledgling local choir, but since then we have grown and gone from strength to strength and many new members joined us during the dreadful lockdown days. Singing out in our own homes kept us all going through those dark dismal days. However, none of us ever want to Zoom sing again!

As we have grown in numbers and voice types Eamonn has been able to arrange more interesting versions of well known songs to showcase our singing. We have a huge repertoire of songs to choose from now, but there are favourites that always seem to keep appearing in our concerts like Sing Out which has become a kind of anthem for us. It was the start of the second half in our recent concert and was greeted with rapturous applause when we sang it as an encore.

Sing Out was written by Cat Stevens and was used in the 1971 film Harold & Maude. If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out and two other songs from that period were not released as singles nor placed on any album at that time. No official soundtrack was released from the film at that time. The song was finally released later on Stevens' 1984 album, Footsteps in the Dark: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 along with his other previously unreleased songs. In addition, it appeared on the UK edition of his 2003 album The Very Best of Cat Stevens.

In Flagrante performed Sing Out live at a pop up venue at St Pancras Station with Eamonn playing an old battered piano while we grouped round him and sang out a selection of songs, including Sing Out to the passing public, some of whom stopped to listen and record us!

Cometh the Hour Cometh the Choir

The In Flagrante concert has taken place at last Our previous renditions now in the distant past A new venue at the golf club set up in the dining room With an audience to listen, as well as those on Zoom! A run through the whole programme to familiarize the ringers And also for the majority of the In Flagrante singers The sopranos experienced the ‘cat hiss’ when they had the phrasing wrong Reminders of the stillness at the end of every song A break to have a cuppa or a glass of wine or two Sandwiches and biscuits to help to power us through Then just at the last minute, two second sops appeared They were very gratefully received and everybody cheered At five to eight we gathered; tongue circles to do, of course Bring bottles of water with us to stop us getting hoarse! We lined up all in order and walked in two by two As our audience applauded us as we paraded through Eamonn, poised in front of us, a mountain now to build As we sang out our first number and the room, with sound was filled Eamonn’s enthusiasm brought out the performance in us all Keeping focused on his guidance – couldn’t afford to drop the ball! Watching for the cut offs as well as lows and highs You could tell if anyone misbehaved from the look in Eamonn’s eyes! He even did a little dance to make everybody smile Although it was successful, it is not his usual style! The first half was a great success and everyone agreed And eager for the second half we lined up ready to proceed This part contained the Irish songs from love, to dark to fun The Leprechaun being cheeky showing humans how it’s done! The programme then was finished, our gift to all who were there A rousing encore of Sing Out we sang with gusto and with flair The variety of songs and style were admired by everyone Especially the arrangements of how each song was done We can be proud of our performance and we know that we’ve done well Our barometer is Eamonn; from his expression you can tell. Everyone has worked so hard and set the standard high Can we improve for the next one? Well, we certainly will try!

Amateur or Professional

In Flagrante is a local amateur choir. However, we are more than capable of giving a professional performance.

Eamonn has set the stage with the purchase of longer cables for the keyboard, so we are now able to stand in our traditional two curved lines. A very professional look rather than the amateur rabble from last week. He has also set the standard with a professionally produced purple bound book of our concert music to place on his lectern.

Now it is up to each of us to look and sound professional.

Hold your purple folders in such a way your head is up and only eyes look down, unless you are looking at Eamonn at all the critical cut off points, and then the audience will see your faces.

Smile. Don’t forget to smile. If you are enjoying yourself, it will be infectious and the audience will enjoy it all the more.

Stillness is essential at the end of each song to give that professional feel. This is a MUST!!!!.

Learn the last page so you can look up at Eamonn for the all-important stops and starts and a clean ending. Then stand absolutely still until the last note is played on the keyboard and Eamonn gives you the nod to move. No excuses - you can do it!

This will guarantee keeping the audience on the edge of their seat enjoying the suspenseful, magical moments.

You do not want to the one responsible for spoiling the magic!

Last minute homework for all. We each know which parts need the work, so concentrate on them.

We are in a good place, according to Eamonn, but if we each work hard to watch, listen and respond as directed we cannot fail to give the professional performance expected by Eamonn and our discerning audience.