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6 November Update

Week 2 of 8 (Half Term 2)

In this week's update, we have:

  • A rehearsal recap

  • A reminder of all the details you need to use our Music Libraries

  • A new date for the diary: 16 January - friends and family open mic night

☕ Coffee Notices

Our next performance is coming up fast - the Stanley Arts Community Supper Social on Tuesday 18th November.

Full details and the event pack: Performing page

For those joining the meal, numbers have now been confirmed. If you haven’t registered and still wish to attend the dinner, please let us know as soon as possible. Friends and family are very welcome to attend, but they must book a free ticket via the Stanley Arts link. The meal starts at 6.30pm.

For those coming just to perform, please arrive by 7.50pm.

We’ll warm up from 8.00–8.30pm, then perform from 8.40–8.55pm to close the evening. Setlist: Glorious, Hallelujah I Just Love Him So, Somewhere Only We Know, You’ve Got a Friend (order TBC).


A lyric pack with the confirmed running order will be available soon on the Performing page.

Sectional rehearsal

We’ll be holding an extra rehearsal on Tuesday 11th November at Vicky’s house. This will be a smaller session to focus on trickier harmonies and sections of the songs.

More details (including address) will be shared over the weekend.

🎧 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


Rehearsal recap

Warmup:

This week, Elena had us gritting our teeth and grinning like Cheshire cats - raising and squeezing our cheeks while making an “oooo” sound. We sang scales this way while keeping the soft palate down and the lower body relaxed, imagining a 'pear shape'.

This helps us hit the very high notes in Carol of the Bells safely without straining the throat, and can also be applied to reach lower notes with more control.


Songs we covered: Carol of the Bells

We worked on the three parts: soprano main melody, soprano harmony and alto harmony.

As this song is sung a cappella, timing and balance between the sections are key.


Somewhere Only We Know We revisited this song, ensuring strong, confident vocals through the verses and reinforcing the new soprano harmony introduced this term.


In preparation for the upcoming performance, we polished Glorious. We’ll be performing this in two-part harmony - the main soprano melody and the alto line. A version of the lyrics for this two-part arrangement is available on the website.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

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


TUESDAY 18th November - Stanley Arts Community Project (6:30 - 9:00pm)

We’ve been invited to sing at a free intergenerational supper club at Stanley Arts exploring themes of freedom and community. The evening brings people together through food, conversation, and performance - and we’ll be closing the event with a short 15-minute set.

Friends and family are invited to attend but must book a free ticket via the Stanley Arts website.

​

TIMING

  • 6.30pm – Starters served

  • 7.15pm – Mains served

  • 7.50pm – Performers (not dining) arrive

  • 8.00–8.30pm – Warm-up / final rehearsal

  • 8.40–8.55pm – Performance

  • 9.00pm – Event ends

 

SETLIST

Glorious, Hallelujah I just love him so, You've got a friend, Somewhere only we know (order TBC).


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). We are finalising event details (i.e. rehearsal time etc).​

​

TIMING

The lights switch on is at 7 pm, and we will be singing at 7.45.

 

SETLIST

TBC: Silent Night | Somewhere Only We Know | Favourite Things | Carol of the bells | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | The power of Love


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. Depending on the weather, we may be singing indoors or outdoors.

​

TIMING

Set 1: 12 - 12.20

Break 12.20 - 13.10Set 2: 13.15 - 13.35

 

SETLIST (TBC)

Set 1: Silent night | Somewhere only we know | Favourite Things | Carol of the bells | Have yourself a merry little Christmas | The power of love

Set 2: Silent night | Somewhere only we know | Favourite Things | Carol of the bells | Have yourself a merry little Christmas | Cosy Little Christmas | Let it snow.


*The Maple Road Market is a volunteer led independent local market that was originally started in 1921. It stopped trading in 2010 but was brought back with help from the local community and Bromley council. It's held on the last Saturday of each month and features a mix of vendors and activities, ranging from art & craft to kids activities and hot food to health and wellbeing.


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. More details to come!


(Note: this date has been moved from the 12th to the 13th.)


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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