17 September Update

Week 2 of 6 (Autumn Term H1)

In this week's bulletin, we have:

• Coffee Notices

• A rehearsal recap

• Song facts: Feeling Groovy

☕ Coffee Notices

REGISTER NOW: West Norwood Feast - Sunday 4 October

A reminder to register for our next performance at West Norwood Feast. All the current details are on the Performing page.

You can register here

🎤 Rehearsal Recap

Song Notes

Feeling Groovy

This song is sung in two-part harmony throughout, with the Sopranos carrying the main melody and the Altos singing the harmony.

Much of the song has an off-beat feel, which gives it that light, swinging ‘groovy’ sound that fits the lyrics so well. Getting the timing right is important – try not to anticipate the words, and listen carefully to how they sit against the beat.

Clear pronunciation, particularly of the consonants, will also help us keep the words crisp while still maintaining the relaxed, upbeat feel of the song.

Shallow

This is another song that many of our members have sung before, but which will be new to some of those who have joined us more recently.

Recordings of the Alto and Soprano parts are available in the Music Library.

Altos: The second time we sing ‘I’m off the deep end...’, we sing the same melody as the Sopranos, but an octave lower. This is just for this section of the song.

Please note that this isn’t currently reflected in the Alto recording. Elena will re-record it when she gets a chance so that the Music Library version matches what we are now singing.

Song facts: Feeling Groovy

Its proper title is actually The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy), although most of us probably know it simply as Feeling Groovy. Written by Paul Simon, it was recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in 1966 and appeared on their album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.

The 59th Street Bridge is the informal name for New York’s Queensboro Bridge, which crosses the East River between Manhattan and Queens. Paul Simon was inspired to write the song after walking across the bridge early one morning. Having been going through a difficult period, he found himself in a particularly good mood – and that feeling became the basis of the song.

And it really is a song about enjoying the moment. There’s no great drama or complicated story behind it – just a reminder to slow down, stop rushing and notice the world around you. Appropriately, the original Simon & Garfunkel recording is remarkably short, at under two minutes.

Musically, its light, swinging rhythm is a big part of what makes it feel so effortlessly cheerful. That relaxed sound can be slightly deceptive for us singers, though – getting those off-beat entries together takes rather more concentration than the words ‘feelin’ groovy’ might suggest!

Perhaps that’s the challenge for us: sounding as though we haven’t a care in the world, while concentrating very hard indeed. 😄

Dates for the diary

Sunday 4 October - West Norwood Feast

We are back on the church steps at St Luke’s Church for West Norwood Feast.

COTH performance 2.00 - 2.30pm (see Performing page for more details and to register for the event).