23 January Update
- wisken
- Jan 24
- 4 min read
Week 2
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, our lovely Justine!
Rehearsal
Our warm-up was very literal this week - we got toasty with scarves tied around our nose, mouth and ears to muffle the sound and focus on singing without stress to the throat.
We started work on a new song (one from our song suggestion box) - 'Shallow' by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. We also revisited 'Hallelujah I just love him so.'
Remember you can practice songs by visiting our Lyric & Audio Library (Shallow will be added soon).
DATES FOR THE DIARY
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY Fairfield Halls, Amateur Arts Showcase
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN https://www.choironthehill.com/performing
Fairfield Halls are hosting an Amateur Arts Showcase in the public open spaces of their venue on Saturday 15 February between 2pm - 7.15pm. We took part in their hugely enjoyable Croydon London Borough of Culture event last year and have been asked to participate again. This is to showcase the very best of the local area's talent and, as last year, it's likely to be a mix of song, music and dance acts.
LOCATION
Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 1JD
TIMING
14.20 - 14.45 - warm-up in the green room
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.
As this is the day after Valentines ('Gallentines' day) our set is love and friendship themed.
To be fully confirmed (including order), the songs we'll be signing are:
Chiquitita
Time after Time
You've Got a Friend
My Favourite Things
Hallelujah I just love him so
Shallow
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.
Justine Knight, COTH member
Tell us a little bit about yourself - where you're from/where you live now etc.
I was born and grew up in a little village called Great Barford in Bedfordshire. However the quiet village life wasn’t for me and when I was old enough I moved to the bright lights of London. I live in Streatham with my husband and just about grown up daughter. I also have 3 grown up step children and 1 step grandson.
What are your favourite songs:
To get you in the mood for a big night out
Dancing Queen or Mamma Mia or anything else by Abba or anything from the 80’s new romantic era – Duran Duran on Girls on Film or the Human League – Don’t you Want Me will definitely get me up on the dance floor.
To lift your spirits when you're feeling blue
I am a big musical theatre fan so any showtune. Particularly Defying Gravity from Wicked, One Day More from Les Misérables or From Now On from The Greatest Showman.
To belt out at the karaoke Definitely an Abba tune – Mamma Mia or Dancing Queen, Proud Mary by Tina Turner (if I have had a few drinks) or any musical theatre showtune.
Are there any types of music you're not keen on and why?
Probably country and western although I do enjoy singing a bit of Dolly with the choir so maybe I am keeping an open mind.
What brought you to Choir on the Hill and how long have you been singing with us?
I joined 2 years ago after seeing a taster advertisement and I already knew a couple of people already involved with the choir. It looked fun and the promise of cake in the rehearsal was too good an opportunity to turn down. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, and it was easy to fit in really quickly.
Which female musical artists do you admire and why?
Shirley Bassey – was a big favourite of my Dad’s and I grew up listening to her music. I have also been fortunate enough to see her perform live. I also admire Kylie and Madonna and their ability to still wow audiences showing that age is no barrier.
Who are your female role models?
Probably both my Grandmothers. Both who faced challenging times in life but kept strong in the face of adversity. Sadly they both passed away relatively young and I wish I had had been able to spend more time with them.
Tell us a surprising or little known fact about yourself.
Although people may find me shy and retiring on the outside, I am actually a bit of a drama queen. After making my West End debut at the age of 4 (another story for another day), I always have loved performing having started out in school productions from a young age. I have always felt more confident performing behind a character. After taking part in a production of Pirates of Penzance at age 14, my love for theatre grew and I’ve performed in numerous amateur productions over the years. Most favourite roles to date have been a prostitute in Cabaret, a Hungarian merry murderess in Chicago and the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz. My next performance is in Murder Most Gruesome with the Phoenix Players at Stanley Arts in April.
What is your favourite thing about being part of Choir on the Hill?
Choir on the Hill is so much more than a choir. Although we all come together for our love of singing it is also a community, and it is so lovely to find a group of like-minded women whose company I enjoy socially as well. The choir has evolved so much over the last few months and is going from strength to strength which is lovely to see.
