The Broomhall Community Choir has made its public debut. Nothing very exalted, but we've broken the ice. St Andrews (URC) held an afternoon Christmas party to mark the redecoration of their church hall, and we did a couple of pieces.
Mary's brother Tony, of City of Bath Bach Choir fame, let on that he was due to become a grandfather again. In conversation, Mary told him how much she was enjoying the choir. He later emailed that they were tackling James MacMillan's St John's Passion - the first amateur group to do so. And the composer was making the journey from Glasgow to support the performance. With this as the backdrop, you'll rate our challenge less impressive!
Choirmaster Steve turned up in a dark suit, resplendent with blood-red shirt and white bow tie. He'd been a busy man, with a major concert the night before, and one to follow in the evening. Fellow bass Ian had gone down with a croaky cold, and Worrall Male Voice Choir member David had already given his apologies. It was down to Terry and me to bang out the "fat" in "Christmas is coming". Although I'd missed a vital rehearsal, I'd got adequate memories of singing it at a school. I realised that Terry and I were up against unfamiliar parts.
Steve gave us a glowing introduction, and a pressing invitation for others to come and join the choir in the New Year.
Now I hang my head in shame. We started with St Winifred ("Cradled in a manger, meanly"). When Steve brightly proposed 'unaccompanied', he was outvoted. Furthermore, heads buried into music sheets while he - valiantly conducting with his left hand while playing the four-part harmony with his right, sitting sideways on to us at the piano keyboard - didn't get a glance through all four verses. "Look at me!" he pleaded. He wasn't best pleased.
I resolved not to let him down with the "fat". The second song was passable, but hardly a credit. I never did see Steve leave.
Viv had turned up, having had a hand in designing a new CAT5 wiring loop for the Hall. He munched his way through the buffet, and then announced he needed to go and pick up a table from Freecycle. So I stacked a few chairs and went to give him a hand, while the nice catering ladies tidied up. And that was that. We've taken our first step to public recognition.
Steve says it's madrigals next.
Mary's brother Tony, of City of Bath Bach Choir fame, let on that he was due to become a grandfather again. In conversation, Mary told him how much she was enjoying the choir. He later emailed that they were tackling James MacMillan's St John's Passion - the first amateur group to do so. And the composer was making the journey from Glasgow to support the performance. With this as the backdrop, you'll rate our challenge less impressive!
Choirmaster Steve turned up in a dark suit, resplendent with blood-red shirt and white bow tie. He'd been a busy man, with a major concert the night before, and one to follow in the evening. Fellow bass Ian had gone down with a croaky cold, and Worrall Male Voice Choir member David had already given his apologies. It was down to Terry and me to bang out the "fat" in "Christmas is coming". Although I'd missed a vital rehearsal, I'd got adequate memories of singing it at a school. I realised that Terry and I were up against unfamiliar parts.
Steve gave us a glowing introduction, and a pressing invitation for others to come and join the choir in the New Year.
Now I hang my head in shame. We started with St Winifred ("Cradled in a manger, meanly"). When Steve brightly proposed 'unaccompanied', he was outvoted. Furthermore, heads buried into music sheets while he - valiantly conducting with his left hand while playing the four-part harmony with his right, sitting sideways on to us at the piano keyboard - didn't get a glance through all four verses. "Look at me!" he pleaded. He wasn't best pleased.
I resolved not to let him down with the "fat". The second song was passable, but hardly a credit. I never did see Steve leave.
Viv had turned up, having had a hand in designing a new CAT5 wiring loop for the Hall. He munched his way through the buffet, and then announced he needed to go and pick up a table from Freecycle. So I stacked a few chairs and went to give him a hand, while the nice catering ladies tidied up. And that was that. We've taken our first step to public recognition.
Steve says it's madrigals next.
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