The Pitfalls
- Trills on a Tuesday
- May 30
- 2 min read
We have reached the stage where we have sung and basically learnt all the songs for the concert, although someone had managed to miss the learning of The Rhythm of Life!
The “rhythm of life” refers to the biological, emotional, and social changes in how we experience time. Physically, circadian rhythms often shift earlier, turning many older adults into “early birds,” while sleep becomes lighter and more easily broken. Emotionally, a steady, balanced routine can become essential, helping support cognitive health, emotional stability, and overall wellbeing.
We are now coming down to finessing the songs to give them shape and character with light and dark, soft and loud and everything in between. This will engage the audience, some of whom will have heard these songs before, so we need to keep their interest and tell them the stories.
Generally, there are a lot of different and tricky rhythms and sometimes many words to fit in, not to mention the Dunce holes! Mark your music scores with the pitfalls in a way that is meaningful to you.
Learn the words as much as possible, especially in the sections Eamonn has pointed out.
For example:
The Rhythm of Life, Sops learn ‘Daddy was a new sensation…..’ section as there are too many words to read!
Crossing the Bar learn the final page so you can all look up and watch Eamonn with the critical timing at the end.
Also remember to add the consonants onto the next word in the phrases to prevent the hissing tyre sounds of ‘s’ and too many ‘t’ sounds like in Here Comes the Flood; ‘….we cannot even choo-oo saside…’
A few pointers to remember when doing your homework:
The House of the Rising Sun – Make the ‘oohs’ angelic.
Altos come in strongly on ‘Oh Mother tell your ‘chil – dren’ remembering that ‘Chil’ is long. Don’t rush it!
Tenors and Basses – ‘…she sewed my new blue jeans’ ‘my’ & ‘new’ are like one word.
The last notes are on an ‘Ng’ sound, not a hum as written.
The Rhythm of Life is relentless; you need to know what’s coming. If you fall off the train, you’ll never get back on.
Homework is needed on this one!
Keep on top of Crossing the Bar as Eamonn wants you in the palm of his hand!
Here Comes the Flood – don’t let the long phrases sag. The verses are quite robotic and the chorus is smoother.
Homework on this one too!
Tom's the Voice, You’re the Voice – another relentless one needing lots of energy.
Sops watch out for the different ‘down the barrel of a gun’ near the end.
The Impossible Dream – Altos sing out so you can be heard!
By now you know where the pitfalls are, so mark them and learn them
Add The Logical Song, The Rainbow Connection and California Dreaming to your homework list.
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