We were back in our usual venue with Amir. This week, he pulled funny faces at us, though he explained that it had nothing to do with our singing but was a way of turning the page on his iPad without using his hands!
There are quite a few high notes to perfect this week.
We went through We'll Gather Lilacs in more detail, which Amir agreed was a very difficult arrangement. He did say some of the harmonies were there, so he had something to work with.
When we get to '…share again,' it should be a full sound from everyone.
Altos, be ready to come straight in with your lyrics after the Ohs so it doesn't seem like a surprise!
Sop 1s, you have the high notes, so put your chin down a little on the highest one in 'All I want to know…' and sing as if it were coming out of the top of your head!
Basses, don't be lured onto the tune ..' want to know' is all on the same note!
You'll Never Walk Alone is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. In the second act of the musical, Nettie Fowler, the cousin of the protagonist Julie Jordan, sings You'll Never Walk Alone to comfort and encourage Julie when her husband, Billy Bigelow, the male lead, stabs himself with a knife whilst trying to run away after attempting a robbery with his mate Jigger and dies in her arms.
The song is reprised as an epilogue in the final scene to encourage a graduation class of which Louise (Billy and Julie's daughter) is a member as the Starkeeper is about to give them a graduation sermon. The now invisible Billy, who has been granted the chance to return to Earth for one day to redeem himself, watches the ceremony and, at the end of the Starkeeper's sermon, can silently motivate Louise and Julie to join in with the song as the whole congregation unite in singing along with them urged on by the Starkeeper as he ascends to paradise.
The song is also sung at association football clubs around the world, where it is performed by a mass chorus of supporters on match day; this tradition developed at Liverpool F.C. after the chart success of the 1963 single of the song by the local Liverpool group Gerry and the Pacemakers.
In some areas of the United Kingdom and Europe, You'll Never Walk Alone became the anthem of support for medical staff, first responders, and those in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our version starts with the Altos, followed by the Sops, building up to the Tenors and Basses joining in. When it gets to 'You'll never walk alone,' only the Sops sing 'alone,' and the other voice parts start their Oohs after two clicks: You'll never walk (click, click) Ooh….
This song must be kept moving forward as it can drag and become boring and dirge-like.
Sop 1s get that top note again, which is the pinnacle of the song and needs to be sung very loudly and then coming down to a very quiet 'alone'
Basses stay down at the end and don't be tempted to go up with the Tenors.
Something Inside So Strong is a song written and recorded by British singer-songwriter Labi Siffre. Released as a single in 1987, it was one of the biggest successes of his career, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart.
The song was written in 1984, inspired by a television documentary on apartheid in South Africa seen by Labi Siffre, in which white soldiers were filmed shooting at black civilians in the street. He told the BBC's Soul Music programme in 2014 that the song was also influenced by his experience as a homosexual child, adolescent, and adult.
Siffre originally intended to have another artist sing the song, but he could find no suitable artist and was persuaded to release it himself.
The song has remained enduringly popular and exemplifies the political and sociological thread running through much of Siffre's lyrics and poetry. It won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically and has been used in Amnesty International campaigns.
We started this song with a strong 'h' of our 'hms' so it can be clearly heard. A hive of bees comes to mind!
Altos and Tenors emphasise 'Oh No!'
Tenors – you have the tune, so enjoy it.
I expect we will finish this song next week when Eamonn returns. However, please bring all the music in Dropbox with you and be prepared for whatever challenges we are given.
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