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20 November Update

Week 4 of 8 (Half Term 2)

In this week's update, we have:

  • A performance recap - plus a video link

  • A rehearsal recap

  • Reminder - how to access and use the Music Libraries

  • Song Facts: The Power of Love

  • Dates for the Diary

☕ Coffee Notices

Stanley Arts – Community Supper Social

This week, we performed at the wonderful Community Supper event at Stanley Arts. This was part of Stanley Arts’ Our Freedom project, a series of creative gatherings exploring what freedom means to our community. Food was provided by the South Norwood Community Kitchen, and we enjoyed performances from Beeja Dance and a live poetry reading from Shaniqua Benjamin.

We closed the evening with a 4-song set: You’ve Got a Friend | Hallelujah I Just Love Him So | Somewhere Only We Know | Glorious…followed by a surprise encore - Time After Time, complete with audience participation!

The whole evening was also captured in a beautiful illustration by Zoe Parker, live event illustrator. 📹 Watch our performance:

Click the link to see our full set list on our YouTube channel.

🎄 Upcoming Performances

We have two performances next week:

📅 Thursday 27 November - Westow House (Crystal Palace Light Switch-On)

We’ll be singing indoors in the ground-floor main space at Westow House as part of the town Christmas Lights celebration.

Timings

  • Rehearsal (for those who can make it): 7.00–7.30pm

  • Brass band + lights outside: 7.00–7.30pm

  • Performance: 7.45–8.15pm

  • Drinks afterwards for anyone who wants to stay

Setlist Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | The Power of Love | Cosy Little Christmas | My Favourite Things | Carol of the Bells

Please note: This falls on a normal choir night so the usual session fee applies to cover Elena’s time and COTH running costs.

📅 Saturday 29 November — Maple Road Market (Anerley Town Hall)

For November, the market is being held inside Anerley Town Hall. We’ll sing two sets, indoors, with a break in between.

Timings

  • Rehearsal at Vicky’s: 11.00–11.30am

  • Walk/drive to Anerley Town Hall: 11.35am

  • Set 1: 12.00–12.20

  • Break: 12.20–13.10

  • Set 2: 13.15–13.35

Setlist Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | The Power of Love | Cosy Little Christmas | My Favourite Things | Carol of the Bells

About Maple Road Market: Originally founded in 1921, the market was revived by the community and Bromley Council after closing in 2010. It now runs on the last Saturday of each month and features a lovely mix of local makers, food, crafts, activities, and wellbeing stalls.

🎤 Rehearsal Recap

Warm-Up

Elena had us place a pencil or finger horizontally between our lips and teeth and sing scales on an ooh sound. This encouraged soft palette lift and warm airflow, helping us sing without strain.

Songs We Covered

We sang through the full Christmas repertoire for our first 2 events: Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | The Power of Love | Cosy Little Christmas | My Favourite Things | Carol of the Bells. All recordings and lyrics can be found in the Christmas Music Library.

Key Notes from the Evening

Silent Night

  • Altos: we are singing the same harmony for each verse.

  • The final two lines (the trickier section) have been isolated and uploaded in the Christmas Music Library.

The Power of Love

  • Sopranos: the “ooh” pattern is the same in both “I’ll protect you…” and “This time we go divine”.

  • Altos: watch the phrasing carefully in both these sections.

Cosy Little Christmas

  • Please watch how each line ends - whether it finishes up, level, or down. Follow the conductor if unsure.

My Favourite Things

  • Please make sure you are using the 3-part lyrics version.

  • Altos have 2 different chorus variations - some focused practice at home will help.

🎧 New Music Library and Christmas Music Library

Please keep using our two new music libraries - they’re mobile-friendly, easy to search, and great for practising wherever you are.

🔒 Password: COTH1

Quick tips:

  • Reset the player bar before starting a new song

  • Start typing to search - no need to press return


⭐ Song Facts - The Power of Love

(Frankie Goes to Hollywood, 1984 | Gabrielle Aplin, 2012)

The Original (1984)

  • Written and released by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, it became their third UK No.1.

  • Despite its emotional, dramatic feel, the song is not actually about Christmas.

  • The music video was filmed as a Nativity short film, which started the Christmas association.

  • Imagery and promotional artwork also leaned into religious iconography.

  • Its late-November release meant it naturally became part of the seasonal charts.

Why it feels Christmassy anyway Although not festive in theme, the reflective mood, orchestral build, and emotional intensity made it perfect for winter radio. Over the years, it’s become a UK Christmas classic almost by accident.

The Gabrielle Aplin Cover (2012)

  • Recorded for the John Lewis Christmas advert.

  • A gentler, more intimate, acoustic version.

  • Reached No.1 in the UK and introduced the song to a new generation.

  • The clarity and softness of the harmonies make it ideal for choral arrangements - including ours.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

There is still time to register for any of these events via the Performing page on the website.

THURSDAY 27th November - Westow House, Crystal Palace Christmas Light Switch-On 

Crystal Palace traders will be switching on the Christmas Lights for the town in a ceremony held at Westow House. We’ll be singing inside Westow House on the ground floor in the main space (facing the bar).

​Rehearsal (for those who can make it): 7.00–7.30pm

Performance: 7.45–8.15pm


Setlist: Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | The Power of Love | Cosy Little Christmas | My Favourite Things | Carol of the Bells


SATURDAY 29th November - Maple Road Market (Penge) 

​We will be singing at Maple Road Market which, for the month of November, will be held in Anerley Town Hall. We will be singing 2 slots with a break in between.

​

Rehearsal at Vicky’s: 11.00–11.30

Set 1: 12.00–12.20

Set 2: 13.15–13.35

Setlist as above


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. 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 2 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

Concert usually starts around 7.30pm. We don't have our performance slot timing yet.

 

SETLIST (TBC)

Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | 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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