I remember why I love singing...
It gives me such a buzz! Tonight was really awesome!
I got to the place I was meant to be meeting the woman who I'd been in touch with. She picked me up a little later and drove me around to the school where we'd be practicing. I was soon introduced to Jean, the conductor/choirmaster. She explained that she'd sit me by someone and that after about four weeks she'd get me to sing with a group so that she would be able to check that I can sing in tune, etc, etc.
The music was mostly from musicals: some Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gershwin, the usual stuff you'd expect in a local non-church choir. We also did Rutter's For the Beauty of the Earth which is so lush. I mouthed the first song, a little unsure of myself, but was soon singing loud and clear. The only song I really hesitated over was the one in Welsh - my Welsh skills aren't that good yet.
They sing everything without music. They get given the music when practicing, which they carry around in folders in case they need it, but when it's something they know they practice without the music.
They do lots and lots of concerts by the sound of it - lots of short ones. This Thursday they are singing at an old people's home near where we used to live. They also have a concert the Friday after. And in just over a month they are singing in the church in the village. You don't have to go to every concert - on average about 30-35 out of 50 people attend a concert. This means that there'll be a fair rotation of music, which should be good - better than spending months working on the same few pieces. They get quite a few invites and even have had one from the National Botanical Gardens of Wales - unfortunately they've had to say no as it's short notice and crucial people are away and it's on Father's Day. But they've said they'd be interested another time - it would be really cool to sing there.
Merl, the woman next to me, was very impressed with my singing and with the fact that I could read music. She used the words "brilliant" on several occasions, even to Jean the choirmaster. At that point Jean grabbed me by the shoulders and said she wasn't letting me go.
Like every other choir I've been in they are quite mad. There is also the usual bitching you get in any bunch of women. Why is it that altos - particularly those sat at the back - tend to bitch lots? Not that I mind, they're lovely women and they were fun to be sat by. Although the one thing I hate about this and every choir I've sung in is that people just do not shut up while the other parts are practicing. That always bugs me!
A fantastic day was completed by a lift home from one of the women. I happened to mention that I needed a builder on the way back and she told me that her husband was a builder. Not just any builder at that. The company is owned by her brother-in-law and they go by word of mouth alone. They converted the old Catholic church up the road into flats. This rung a chord with me, something that was confirmed when I got home. The builders had been recommended to Rat by one of the few people we know in the village. The conversion is apparently excellent and they do a lot of council work. They're unlikely to do a bad job in their own village as it would ruin their reputation. I've left the woman with my mobile number and hope they ring me soon - and hope they are able to fit us in as they are apparently very busy. Of course, they could be a lot more expensive than the other people we've contacted but they do come highly recommended. Here's crossing our fingers in the hope that they'll be able to do the job and for a reasonable price.
A very fruitful and enjoyable evening. I can't wait until next week!
I got to the place I was meant to be meeting the woman who I'd been in touch with. She picked me up a little later and drove me around to the school where we'd be practicing. I was soon introduced to Jean, the conductor/choirmaster. She explained that she'd sit me by someone and that after about four weeks she'd get me to sing with a group so that she would be able to check that I can sing in tune, etc, etc.
The music was mostly from musicals: some Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gershwin, the usual stuff you'd expect in a local non-church choir. We also did Rutter's For the Beauty of the Earth which is so lush. I mouthed the first song, a little unsure of myself, but was soon singing loud and clear. The only song I really hesitated over was the one in Welsh - my Welsh skills aren't that good yet.
They sing everything without music. They get given the music when practicing, which they carry around in folders in case they need it, but when it's something they know they practice without the music.
They do lots and lots of concerts by the sound of it - lots of short ones. This Thursday they are singing at an old people's home near where we used to live. They also have a concert the Friday after. And in just over a month they are singing in the church in the village. You don't have to go to every concert - on average about 30-35 out of 50 people attend a concert. This means that there'll be a fair rotation of music, which should be good - better than spending months working on the same few pieces. They get quite a few invites and even have had one from the National Botanical Gardens of Wales - unfortunately they've had to say no as it's short notice and crucial people are away and it's on Father's Day. But they've said they'd be interested another time - it would be really cool to sing there.
Merl, the woman next to me, was very impressed with my singing and with the fact that I could read music. She used the words "brilliant" on several occasions, even to Jean the choirmaster. At that point Jean grabbed me by the shoulders and said she wasn't letting me go.
Like every other choir I've been in they are quite mad. There is also the usual bitching you get in any bunch of women. Why is it that altos - particularly those sat at the back - tend to bitch lots? Not that I mind, they're lovely women and they were fun to be sat by. Although the one thing I hate about this and every choir I've sung in is that people just do not shut up while the other parts are practicing. That always bugs me!
A fantastic day was completed by a lift home from one of the women. I happened to mention that I needed a builder on the way back and she told me that her husband was a builder. Not just any builder at that. The company is owned by her brother-in-law and they go by word of mouth alone. They converted the old Catholic church up the road into flats. This rung a chord with me, something that was confirmed when I got home. The builders had been recommended to Rat by one of the few people we know in the village. The conversion is apparently excellent and they do a lot of council work. They're unlikely to do a bad job in their own village as it would ruin their reputation. I've left the woman with my mobile number and hope they ring me soon - and hope they are able to fit us in as they are apparently very busy. Of course, they could be a lot more expensive than the other people we've contacted but they do come highly recommended. Here's crossing our fingers in the hope that they'll be able to do the job and for a reasonable price.
A very fruitful and enjoyable evening. I can't wait until next week!