13 February Update
- wisken
- Feb 14
- 6 min read
Week 6
This week you can read about:
Rehearsal update
Dates for the diary:
15 Feb - Fairfield Halls
20 Feb - COTH social
'Getting to know you' - COTH Member profile - this week, it's me (Vicky)!!!
Rehearsal
This week we learned that, sadly, Jess would be unable to join us for the final rehearsal and our performance on Saturday. As a group we adapted in the moment and worked through our set list with Elena coaching Lizzy who will lead us at Fairfield Halls. Thank you all for being so supportive and patient while we worked through the songs together.
All the information about our performance has been shared and pinned in the WhatsApp groups and is also on the Performing page of the website.
You can also practice all of our songs by visiting our Lyric & Audio Library.
Note: we are on a break for half term next week but please do come along to our social on Thursday 20th at Westow House, Crystal Palace (details below).
DATES FOR THE DIARY
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY Fairfield Halls, Amateur Arts Showcase
You can find the event plan and lyric pack on the Performing page of our website.
If you are a new to COTH and don't feel ready to perform yet, you are very welcome to come along and watch as part of the audience.
The details
Fairfield Halls are hosting an Amateur Arts Showcase in the public open spaces of their venue on Saturday 15 February between 2pm - 7.15pm.
This will be a showcase of all that the Borough of Croydon has to offer, with a blend of cultures, styles, genres of music, art and design.
You are welcome to just participate in our performance but please see below for more information on what else is happening, including details on the evening performances following the free showcase.
LOCATION
Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 1JD
TIMING
14.20 - 14.45 - warm-up in the green room
we recommend you arrive in the foyer at around 2pm
14.50 - 15.10 - performance
We'll be on a temporary stage in the entrance foyer. This means that along with members of the public, friends and family may come to watch for free.
The songs we'll be signing are:
Hallelujah, I just love him so
Shallow
My Favourite Things
Chiquitita
You’ve Got a Friend
Time after Time
Evening performance
Following the free showcase (2 - 7pm) there is an evening performance:-
7.30pm: Changing Seasons: London Mozart Players
Tickets from only £5
What is Changing Seasons?
Changing Seasons is a multi-genre spectacular from LMP that reimagines Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for today’s changing world. This unique production blends Vivaldi’s classic with new works from four local arts groups – Queer Croydon x Stanley Arts, Club Soda, Subrang Arts, and Croydon Music & Arts – in collaboration with composers Fiona Brice and Sarah Freestone. Inspired by Vivaldi’s seasonal themes, these performances reflect on the climate emergency through a vibrant mix of genres and art forms.
Featuring poetry by Croydon’s Jeremiah Brown, dynamic dance, and video introductions, this Croydon-made event culminates in a stunning performance at Fairfield Halls.
For more information, see the Changing Seasons flyer
THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY COTH social at Westow House pub, Crystal Palace
During the half term break, we're having a social gathering at the Westow in Crystal Palace. This will be for informal drinks and chat from 7pm.
All details are in our Calendar and also included below:
Westow House
GETTING TO KNOW YOU - COTH Member Profile
Each week we'll be speaking to different members of the choir so you can get to know them a little better. Please speak to Vicky if you'd like to be featured.
Vicky Wisken, COTH Communications Manager
Tell us a little bit about yourself - where you're from/where you live now etc.
I was born in Sittingbourne and moved to Romney Marsh (on the South East coast of Kent) when I was 8. Romney Marsh just wasn't me at all, and after studying Art History at the university of Essex, I moved to the bright lights of London and now see this as my spiritual home!
I've lived in Anerley for 18 years - at first with my husband, Stuart, and then after he passed away, 5 years with my lovely dog, Winston.
What are your favourite songs:
To get you in the mood for a big night out
I love a bit of drum and bass and, in particular, Pendulum, Chase and Status, Justice and Faithless. A recent favourite is Lion Heart by Joel Correy and Tom Grennan - that really makes me want to dance. There are a few old tracks that I like to put on if I'm up for a big night out like Beautiful People by Chris Brown (awful person, great song), Your Love by Frankie Knuckles or Voodoo Ray by A Guy Called Gerald. I actually had drum and base played at my wedding reception and there are photos of me going crazy on the dance floor in a wedding dress 😂
To lift your spirits when you are feeling blue
Music has always been really important to me - right from infancy (my first request for a 'cassette' was Leo Sayer when I was only 4!). I find having the radio on very comforting so I have speakers in every room of the house. I tend to find that helps lift my mood. But failing that, some old favourites are Elvis Costello, Squeeze and early REM.
To belt out at the karaoke
Super Trouper by ABBA, Like a Prayer by Madonna, Tempted by Squeeze and sometimes, for a laugh, Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio or Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice (ridiculous song with ridiculous lyrics!).
Are there any types of music you're not keen on and why?
Lots of people say their music taste is eclectic but mine really is - old school hip-hop, grunge, 80s electro, 'alternative' rock, new wave, funk, ska and 2 Tone, rave and pop etc. I'm not a fan of jazz, country music or grime - although there are generally a few exceptions to the rule on all of these.
It's not really a 'genre' but anything produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman is literally torture to my ears.
What brought you to Choir on the Hill and how long have you been singing with us?
I joined COTH in September 2021 when things started opening after lockdown. I was overwhelmed by grief and finding any type of social interaction difficult. I've always enjoyed singing and thought it would be something where I could be with other people but that there wouldn't be too much pressure to interact. I attended the first session with Lizzy and she had to practically push me through the door! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and I started feeling some joy in the act of singing with others. I became involved in the running of the choir in 2022 when Chris, the founder of COTH, asked for volunteers. After that I took over designing, website maintenance and communication - then in July last year, joined the team of 6 members who took over the running of the choir when Chris decided to leave.
Which female musical artists do you admire and why?
I'm a fan of several female-fronted bands - from the past I love Debbie Harry and Blondie (she looks so cool and fierce and the band were so innovative) and I adore Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders.
More recently I enjoy listening to St Vincent, Jane Weaver and all-female band, The Last Dinner Party. Oh, and a little mention of Beth Ditto from The Gossip - massively underrated singer!
Who are your female role models?
The women who inspire me are my family and friends. I genuinely don't think I would be here without my sister, Lizzy. She found the strength to support me through the loss of my husband - even though she was struggling with her own loss as Stuart was her best friend. She now works with a bereavement support organisation (St Christophers) and has helped so many people through their own loss and journey through grief. And all this is done on top of an ongoing battle with many health issues! My mum also inspires me - she's nearly 80 and is still teaching English as a private tutor. She is a vice chairman of her local u3a group and, again, she does all this with many health issues.
Tell us a surprising or little known fact about yourself.
Not sure how interesting this is but, when I first moved to London, I used to walk across London Bridge every weekday for work. One day I looked down at the opening plaque on the wall and noticed that the bridge was opened on the exact day I was born! And no, that's not the original London Bridge but the new one ha ha.
What is your favourite thing about being part of Choir on the Hill?
My goodness - I'm not sure there is space or words for what Choir on the Hill means to me. I've met some of the loveliest, most interesting and diverse women and, unexpectedly, some friends for life. I love everything about the singing; the challenge of learning new harmonies; the creative outlet it's given me in the designing and communication side, and the fun and social element is just brilliant. Long may it continue.
