Mock Exam Time

We have worked hard this term under the tutelage and guidance of Elliot. We only have one week left with him to perfect his wonderful arrangements. 

Schools are currently having mock exams, so it is like that for us. As we will be going through all the songs we’ve learnt this term next week, a little (or a lot) of revision is needed.

As with all mock exams, they highlight the areas that need a little extra work, so when the actual exam takes place, (in our case showing Eamonn what we’ve learnt) will be at our best and know all the pitfalls.

Things to watch out for:

Someone to Watch Over Me

Remember, there is a little break just before ‘I hope that he’ for the Sops and ‘I know I could’ for Tenors and Basses.

Ensure you sing the right words; ‘who’, ‘to’, ‘could’, ‘would,’ etc.

Think in advance and be prepared for the change in tempo at the start of ‘Although he may not be the man some ….’

Then, put in that all-important silence after ‘Oh’, with the ‘Oh’ having a longing, yearning sound—not like a surprise!

Sops, sit on that note; it shouldn’t be flat!

Keep it consistently quiet at the end – there are no decrescendos.

I Got Rhythm

“Everything in the universe has a rhythm; everything dances. ”

― Maya Angelou

This song needs to be full of energy and relentlessly pursued to the end.

The entrances need to be strong. 'Sing Out!

‘Who could ask for anything more?’ is the catchy tagline that everyone remembers, so it should be emphasised and memorable.

In the section with ‘I got rhythm’ it

It should gradually build up into something exciting and spectacular!  Think of it as one-upmanship, and as your voice part comes in, sound as if you are the most important voice!

This song has a big Broadway ending with ‘Who could ask for anything more?’ So be dramatic and build until you burst, keeping ‘ask’ and ‘for’ long and strong and keeping ‘more’ going until you are instructed to stop!

And So it Goes

The idea is to sing this a capella; however, if it is not good enough, Eamonn will write a piano piece to accompany it. 

If we want to keep it unaccompanied, we must fight our corner, practise hard and convince Eamonn we can perform this as planned.

The key is to keep the pace up in this song and stay together.  Basses, check your rhythm. Don’t get left behind. 

Acapella sounds terrific, but it must be accurate as it is unforgiving.

When ‘hmmmm -ing’ it is to the tune of ‘sanctuary safe and strong’, so sing quietly in your head, and the ‘hmm’ will be correct.

Anyone who Had a Heart

The ‘Do, do, do be dos’ should be staccato and impressive

Remember, ‘knowing I love you so.’ The ‘so’ is long, so hold onto the note.

However, ‘to’ and ‘you’ are short in ‘… love me too, You couldn’t really …’

Basses, you know your notes; don’t be lured onto the tune when the Tenors join in. Your harmonies are essential and add that extra depth.

Practise at home and sing it against either the Tenor part of the full version so your notes are embedded in your mind and become automatic.

Any Dream Will Do

The ‘Oh, ohs’ should be exciting and dynamic, building up and coming down. Start with lots of energy.

Sop1s, you are a little flat!  Practise at home.  Try recording yourself and listening back (not always a pleasant experience, I’ve found), but it does work and highlights the purity, or not, of the note.

Relax your jaw as you sing the ‘Ohs’ and laser beam through it until the end.  Listen and feel it.

‘I was left alone’ – power to the end, and Sops, keep that note bright. We now know why he was left alone! Poor Donny Osmond.

The solo part is slow and reflective, so remember that the tempo picks up when you return.

Walking on Sunshine

This will be the first song to be examined next week. Please do your homework so we can impress Elliot, and he doesn’t have to go through it all with a fine-tooth comb.

As Elliot’s last week will be, we aim to perform our entire repertoire in a mini-concert. 

Although we won’t have the energy of an audience to feed off of, we do have our sense of pride and achievement to show Elliot how much we appreciate his time and talents in giving our best.

Believe you can, and we’re halfway there!

Success is a personal standard. We should reach for the highest in ourselves and become all that we can be.

See you next week.