11 June Update

Week 2 of 6 (Half Term 2)

In this week's bulletin, we have:

• Coffee Notices

• A rehearsal recap

• Notes on Super Trouper and You've Got a Friend.

☕ Coffee Notices

We were delighted that the weather held off last Sunday so we could perform at Winsford Gardens. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was lovely to see people singing along and joining in with the clapping during Keep on Movin'.

A huge thank you to all the family and friends who came along to support us – we really do appreciate it.

Our next performance will be on 18 July, at an 80th birthday party (at Ralf Perring Court, Beckenham). More information will be shared soon.

Emergency contact details

We would like to check that we have up-to-date emergency contact details for everyone. Thankfully, as yet, we've never had to use these contacts, but if you ever feel unwell or unable to continue during a rehearsal, please let one of the Management Team know (Lizzy, Vicky, Angela, Lesha, Ivonne, Kathleen). We are always happy to help. We have a trained First Aider and can assist with arranging transport if required. We'll start updating the database from next week's rehearsal.

🎤 Rehearsal Recap

Warmup

We often talk about the importance of giving all the muscles involved in singing a proper workout. With this in mind, we stretched the tongue and flexed the chin, both of which are connected to the larynx.

Using a 'la' sound, we placed the tongue against the lips and repeated the exercise whilst moving the tongue from side to side, and then up and down.

We then used an 'ah' sound in an arpeggio (⎼⎻⎺⎻⎼). The tongue remained cupped, almost as though we were holding water in our mouths. As we ascended through the scale, the soft palate had to lift in order to reach the highest notes in our range. Yawning is good and actively encouraged! It shows that the whole vocal support system is being exercised.

Song notes

You've Got a Friend – Carole King and James Taylor

Each line in the verses is numbered. The person or people assigned to that number will sing only that line in the verses.

• The first chorus is sung in unison

• The second chorus is sung in harmony

• The boxed section is sung as 'call and response'

  
  

Third Chorus – Harmony

• Line 6 – third harmony, sung by a small group within the sopranos. This is very high and slightly quicker than previously sung.

Super Trouper – ABBA

This arrangement uses four-part harmony.

• Soprano 1 often sings alongside Alto 1

• Soprano 2 is a small part for two or three singers

• Soprano 2 sings 'in response' in Boxes 2, 3, 6 and 7

  
  

Alto 1

This is the main melody and follows the original ABBA song.

• Boxes 3, 7 and 10 – stress the 'n' in 'tonight' to avoid losing breath

• Box 10, line 1 – take a breath between 'there' and 'when'

• Box 10, lines 2 and 3 – sing as one continuous phrase with no break

• Box 10, line 4 – this line drops low

Alto 2

• The 'Tonight the Super Trouper....' sections are sung in the same harmony. It starts on a flat/same note

• In the 'So I'll be there' section, alto 2 an soprano 2 sing the 'ooohs

Soprano 1

• The 'Tonight the Super Trouper....' sections are sung in the same harmony

• Verses (box 2 and box 6) are sung with the alto 1 in the main melody

• Sop 1 do not sing the 'so imagine' and 'there are moments' sections as these are in the lowest range.

Soprano 2

• The 'Tonight the Super Trouper....' sections are sung in the same harmony

• The 'call and response' sections start at the final line of the first part of each verse (i.e. 'Wishing every show was the last show' and 'Still I'm thinking about you only')

• Sop 2 sing the 'oooh' section alongside alto 2

Fun facts

Over the years, Elena has introduced us to all sorts of warm-ups, and you're always welcome to dip into previous bulletins to revisit some of the exercises at home. However, when we're short of time, on the move, or Elena isn't available, many of us turn to our old friend, 'The German Guy' (Jacobs Vocal Academy 5 Minute Warm-up)

Despite the nickname, you might be surprised to learn that he isn't German at all – he's actually Danish!

The voice behind the popular 5-minute warm-up belongs to Jacob Obling Nygaard, founder of Jacobs Vocal Academy. Based in Denmark, Jacob is a vocal coach, entrepreneur and digital educator. From the outset, he wanted his academy to reach singers all over the world, so he chose to present everything in English and, for many years, deliberately kept himself out of the spotlight, allowing the exercises themselves to take centre stage.

So, the next time you're warming up with 'The German Guy', you'll know that he's actually 'The Danish Guy' after all!

Dates for the diary 18 July

80th birthday party at Ralph Perring Court, Beckenham - starts 6pm with singing starting around 7. Food will be provided. Registration will open soon with more details provided.