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04 December Update

Week 6 of 8 (Half Term 2)

In this week's update, we have:

  • A rehearsal recap

  • Song Facts: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

  • Dates for the Diary

☕ Coffee Notices

Last week we sang at The Westow for the Crystal Palace Christmas Light Switch-On and at Maple Road Market. Feedback from both organisers was wonderful - they thanked us for our time, effort and energy. We also received lots of lovely social media tags from The Westow, Light Up the Palace, and many of the market stall holders.

As many of you know, our musical equipment was sadly stolen shortly before these performances. Several of you have generously asked how you might help cover the cost of replacing it. Angela, our Treasurer, will share information shortly. There is absolutely no expectation for anyone to contribute, but any donations will be gratefully received.

A quick note regarding finances more generally: as a not-for-profit organisation, every penny of your membership fees goes directly into running and promoting the choir. Our management team works to a set of guiding principles (available to view on the website), and transparency is central to that. In the new year, Angela will give a brief overview of our finances during Coffee Notices so everyone can see how COTH funds are being spent.

🎄 Upcoming Performances

Our final Christmas performance of the year is nearly here!

Friday 19th December – Stanley Arts Christmas Concert


Timings

  • 6.30pm – Sound check (for those who can make it)

  • 7.15pm - Doors open

  • 7.30pm – Show begins

  • 9.00–9.25pm – Our performance slot (start of the second half)

  • 10.30pm - Show ends


Setlist

  • Silent Night

  • Somewhere only we know

  • Have yourself a merry little Christmas

  • Favourite Things

  • Cosy Little Christmas

  • Carol of the Bells

  • 12 Days of Christmas


Please keep an eye on the Performing page for the detailed event information and lyric packs.

🎤 Rehearsal Recap

Warm-Up

Elena showed us a series of line-pattern images on the screen and asked us to interpret each shape vocally - for example, following a rising and falling line by moving an “ah” sound between two notes. The aim was twofold:

  • to help us listen more closely to our own voices rather than tuning into the whole choir

  • to encourage us to annotate our lyrics with shapes, arrows and reminders so we can follow musical patterns without reading formal notation.


Songs We Covered

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

We began learning this new piece.

We recorded our first run-through a cappella because following the backing track's many time changes was tricky. Elena is looking for a backing track with fewer tempo fluctuations.

Alto standardisations agreed:

  • Opening line ('have yourself')

    • In the Music Library recording, the first verse stays on the same note for the first three words.

    • In verses 2 and 3, the melody moves up and down.

    • We agreed to sing all verses the same way as verses 2 and 3 (i.e., with the up/down pattern).

  • Final syllables in line 2 of each verse

    • In verses 1 and 3, the final syllable repeats (li-igh-ight / a-low-ow-ow).

    • Verse 2 ('gay') does not.

    • We agreed to standardise this so verse 2 now becomes 'gay-ay-ay'.

Note for all:

  1. Final line phrasing In 'And have yourself a merry little Christmas now', there will be two pauses: 'And have yourself — pause — a merry little Christmas — pause — now'.



Carol of the Bells

We ran this a couple of times to build confidence for our upcoming performance. A key focus: don’t race ahead - keep a steady and consistent rhythm throughout.


All recordings and lyrics can be found in the Christmas Music Library. Re-records of the parts we have changed will be made available as soon as possible.

⭐ Song Facts - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

  • Written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the film Meet Me in St. Louis, where it was sung by Judy Garland.

  • The original lyrics were actually quite melancholy. Garland asked the writers to soften them so the scene wouldn’t feel overwhelmingly sad.

  • Frank Sinatra later requested another rewrite for his Christmas album, asking them to 'jolly it up a little', leading to the lyric changes many of us recognise today.

  • The chord structure uses a gentle mixture of major and minor harmonies, giving the song its nostalgic-but-hopeful feel - perfect for choral singing.

  • Gabrielle Aplin, Sam Smith, and many modern artists have released versions, but Judy Garland’s remains the emotional template for most arrangements.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

SATURDAY 13 December - Christmas Party at Mozart's

We’re back at Mozart’s in Anerley for our annual Christmas celebration - expect food, singing, fun, and likely a bit of bubbly. There will be a Secret Santa (organised by Lesha) - look out for details on WhatsApp and at rehearsals.


FRIDAY 19 December - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert

​Stanley Arts are hosting a Christmas concert with a mix of local musical talent. We have had great fun singing at this event for the last two years, so this is a return visit. This is a ticketed event for the public. Friends and family are welcome but will need to purchase a ticket to attend.

We’ll be singing on stage in the main hall at Stanley Arts. As last year, there is a balcony where we can sit to watch the other acts before and after we perform. For those who want to, we will be invited on stage for the joint finale.


TIMING TBC

  • Sound check 6.30pm

  • Concert starts 7.30pm

  • Our slot: 9.00–9.25pm


SETLIST

Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | My Favourite Things | Carol of the Bells | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | The Twelve Days of Christmas


FRIDAY 16th January – Beat the January Blues Open Mic Night @ Shirley Park Golf Club

We’re so lucky to have a community of wonderful COTH friends and family who support us throughout the year. To celebrate that support, we’re holding an open mic party for members and their friends/family. It’ll be a relaxed, friendly evening where anyone can perform - solos, duets, or small groups - and this time, friends and family are also invited to take a turn at the mic!


More details (and sign-up info) will follow closer to the event, but if you’ve been to previous COTH socials, you’ll know the format and where to find backing tracks! For now, save the date and start thinking/practising what you might like to sing!

 
 
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