Members' Information

This area will be used for sharing views about various topics.

Spring 2013

Music List for May 19th and June 15th Concerts

Here is the list of music that I am considering for our two 'informal' sings this summer:

• Tibie Paiom*
• Vivaldi Gloria Mvt 1
• Kumbaya*
• Weeping*
• Adiemus*
• Capt Noah Mvt 1
• Hey Big Spender*
• Silly Love Songs*
• You Raise Me Up!*
• Above My Head

*Pdfs available below...

New practice recordings...

Two new MP3 Files for you to listen to, whilst you follow your Pdf Scores...

If you have a few moments, have a listen to this orchestration that has been prepared for ACC and see what you think. All it needs now is our contribution to the tunes!

As they say "It Ain't Heavy"...

CALENDAR FOR PRACTICES AND CONCERTS 2013

A note from Keith at the end of our first year:

“Well done” to all members for an amazing first year!

It has been such an exciting start for the choir and has brought just rewards in the form of applause and plaudits from your audiences, and has laid down a very firm foundation for our future projects. I am very proud of what we have all achieved and know that we can now ‘settle down’ to a very positive programme in the years ahead.

We have already gained a very good reputation and I will do my best to help us to build on what we have already put in place. I value the trust that you put in me, and the way in which you are so committed to what we are doing. I believe that we are now ready to deliver ‘theory’ sessions, for those who want to be able to read music more easily. We will offer classes for beginners and those who want something more advanced. We can also start to offer voice coaching for individuals and groups. There have been two performances, given by a smaller section of ACC, and the quality of singing has shown that there is a place for a chamber choir. I will set out the plans, for all of these additional activities, before our next practice on January 7^th.

Thank you so much for your hard work and trust!. Now for a great singing season in 2013...!

Keith

Other Music Downloads

If you wish to download Pdf versions of some of our songs, or wish to listen to Audio files to help you learn, then try the files below. Remember that these are for practice purposes only and nothing beats being there at Monday evening rehearsals!

1 Song For The Soul

2 Tibie Paiom

3 Beatles Medley

4 Kumbaya

5 Weeping

6 You Raise Me Up

7 Michelle

8 Steal Away

9 Since You Went Away

10 Yesterday

11 Cover Me With The Night

12 Time For Milking

13 Hey Jude

14 Adiemus

Sectional Files for Rehearsal

15 Masters In This Hall

Section Files for Rehearsal

16 The Holly and the Ivy

17 Seasons of Love

Section Files for Rehearsal

18 Candlelight Carol

As in other cases, click here for a rehearsal recording for the full version of this Rutter Carol, for you to follow:

Candlelight Carol

19 Christmas Lullaby

Again, this site will give you a recording of the carol just for practising! Click here and have fun...:

Christmas Lullaby

20 O Holy Night

O Holy Night by Adolphe Adam can be heard and seen, if you have Youtube, by clicking here:

O Holy Night - Kings College

This version is not the same as we will use - but it is the same music. The part that the boys sing (on their own) will be sung by a soloist!

Music Folders

We are now gradually building our repertoire of items 'beyond Zimbe' and need to store these carefully for ourselves.

Members are asked to provide themselves with a black ring binder into which plastic wallets can be inserted to hold their music.

It has been suggested that we should store our music in the same order, so that it is easy to find the next piece - in practices and concerts.

Please order your music in your folder as follows:

1. Song For The Soul              Alexander L'Estrange
2. Tibie Paiom                        Bortnianski
3. Beatles Medley                   Lennon & McCartney Arr. Clark
4. Kumbaya                           Trad African
5. Weeping                            Alexander L'Estrange
6. You Raise Me Up                 Lovland
7. Michelle                             Lennon & McCartney arr Clark
8. Steal Away                        Traditional  spiritual arr Roberton
9. Since You Went Away         Anon
10. Yesterday                          Lennon & McCartney arr Turner
11. Cover Me With The Night     Clucas
12. Time For Milking                 Trad Welsh arr Clark
13. Hey Jude                           Lennon & McCartney Arr. Clark
14. Adiemus                            Karl Jenkins Arr. Clark
15. Masters in this Hall             Traditional French
16. The Holly and the Ivy         John Gardner
17. Seasons of Love                Larson arr Clark
18. Candlelight Carol               John Rutter
19. Christmas Lullaby              John Rutter
20. O Holy Night                      Adam Adolphe
21. Silent Night                       Arranged by Guy Turner

Our Concert Dress

Ladies

Black 'evening wear' consisting of:

Black trousers, with black blouse/shirt or

Long black skirt, with black blouse/shirt or

Long black dress

Black tights and black smart shoes

We can then add a colourful scark/tie/sash/ that will suit the occasion. For Zimbe, we asked Lesley Smith to provide material that can be used for this task at a cost of around £1 - £2 per person.

This should sufficient variety to allow female members to select a style that best suits the individual.

Gentlemen

Black trousers

Black socks

Black shoes

Black shirt, good quality with a good collar, with which a coloured handkerchief or tie can be worn.

Advice for 'Tired' Voices

A number of members have asked for advice about how to sustain themselves, and especially their voices, in busy singing times, around rehearsals and concerts.

There are a number of things that will help:

General well-being

• Drink LOTS of water thoughout the days of practice and concerts (lots of visits to the bathroom but the throat will benefit from the lubrication)
• Good diet, avoiding lots of dairy foods - including milk, ice-cream etc that has a negative impact on the larynx
• Sleep and rest - pacing yourself so that you are not exhausted before rehearsals and concerts
• Avoiding stress before singing so that you are feeling good rather than being tense
• Relaxing at practices and concerts. Between items (and during items if appropriate) moving a little, especially around the shoulders and neck so that you can 'keep loose'
• Having a sense of good posture when singing, back, arms shoulders and neck are really important. Keep your chin tucked in and don't be tempted to allow the chin and lower jaw to jut out or project forward
• If you need to sit down then do! Even if this means moving away from the choir for a while, to rest

Lubricate the voice...

• Sip lots of water during practices and between items in the concerts - acohol is not the best but water is!
• Remember that singing causes a lot of air to pass through your vocal cords and is very drying. That's why whispering is more drying than singing with a full tone. Sip lots of water!
• Don't use lozenges or syrup. These both have a drying effect on the voice...
• Avoid sprays that numb soreness, these can allow you to cause big damage to your voice without knowing it...

Breathe well...

• Breathe slowly and deeply whenever possible
• For singing, breathe in early, quietly, slowly, and gently
• Hold on to your air and use it sparingly when singing
• Gulping air in small amounts, rapidly, is extremely ineffective and causes much more dryness. Sip water when you can...