22 January Update

Week 3 of 6 (Half Term 1)

In this week's update, we have:

• Coffee notices

• Rehearsal recap

• Open mic - thank you

☕ Coffee Notices

A New Year Miracle - Some of you will be aware that Elena accidentally left her Teaching Bag on the train last year. It was found and is now back where it belongs, in her possession. Oddly, the bell we use for Carol of the Bells was the only missing item. We hope that it has found a new home.

Our repertoire - We are looking forward to expanding our repertoire this year as well as bedding in some firm favourites. As always, recordings will be available in our Music Library, along with the lyrics for each new song. If you need specific sections of a song clipped to make it easier to practice, just let Vicky know.

Help needed - We're always looking for new recruits and currently promote ourselves in several ways (website, social media, Google searches, etc.). We would also like to increase our visibility via a poster campaign. When you are out and about locally, it would be useful if you could take a quick photo of any notice boards/shop windows, etc., which offer advertising for community events, clubs, and activities. Send a message to a member of the Management Team or email if you prefer, with the photo and a brief description of the location. We will build a database to keep a record of where our posters are shown.

A big THANK YOU! - And finally, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to replacing the stolen music equipment. Your generosity is so appreciated - your continued support is what keeps our choir thriving!

🎤 Rehearsal Recap

Song 1 - Flight by Craig Carnelia Elena talked us through ways in which we can mark our lyric sheets to show the timing and range of the notes - particularly when we are singing 'ahhhs' instead of words, for example.

Shown below are some of the ways in which you can do this, but the most important thing is to use something that works for you.

• We count Flight with a 4-beat bar framework.

• When we get to the 'ahhs' section, we could write these using 'beat symbols' which denote the length each note is held for.

• Note lengths are often identified using the symbols below but you can use any key that works for you.

𝅝=4   𝅗𝅥.=3   𝅗𝅥=2   𝅘𝅥=1   𝅘𝅥𝅮=½

• You can use dots and lines to visually show if the next note will be higher, lower, or held. Some use angular lines, others will use wavy lines. Find a style that works best for your way of learning.

• You can also mark where there is a pause, where to take a breath and where to sustain a note.

• Here are some more examples of notations you could use to mark up your lyric sheet:

Song 2 - Keep On Movin’

We revised this song focusing in on a few key areas:

• This is a pop song. It is good to feel the beat and allow that to keep the energy vibrant when you sing. Diction and intonation are really important, so be clear with your words and consonants.

• When singing the Ahs, be confident and punchy so you sing each Ah clearly.

• There are two musical pauses in the song - the first is after the THIRD box on the song sheet. The second is after the SIXTH box on the song sheet. There is a DJ record scratch before the harmonies rejoin.

• On the THIRD of four repetitions of Get on up…, we clap and sing at the same time (page 3, boxes 2 & 3)

• Soprano 1 group - for the following verse, highlighted words should be dominant. It is also sung slightly off the beat

Feels like I should be screamin’

Tryna get through to my friends

Sometimes it feels that life has no meaning

But I know things will be alright in the end

OUR OPEN MIC NIGHT

Well done to everyone who took to the stage at our Beat The January Blues open mic event. You were all phenomenal! A special congratulations to those who sang solo for the first time - we were impressed with your bravery. Thanks also to Lesha for coordinating and hosting the evening, and to Ivonne and family for arranging for us to hold the event at the golf club.