Stalwart founding members Marg & Nikki (Two Terrific Tenors) were back after a break. What joy to see their smiling faces again and hear their warm tones. We missed you guys so much - welcome back!!
It was also wonderful to greet potential new members doing their trial night with Freedom Train. Welcome to Sue from Woodlands, Laurence from Eden's Landing, Steve & Mary also from Eden's Landing with their daughter Lisa and her partner Andrew. Each of you had something wonderful & unique to bring to the choir and we'd love to have you return.
At the end of last term Anne from Browns Plains spent an evening singing with us and has decided to join too when back from up north! Welcome Anne.
She said, "I had such a wonderful time on my first night and was so excited that it took me quite a while to settle for sleep. It is such a wonderful feeling to feel that you are in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. Thank you for being so special and so inclusive as a group, it makes for a very pleasant experience."
I love to hear your feedback! Thank you!
Choir leader's Rehearsal log:
Warm-up & "getting to know you" with call-&-response improvised chants & singing our names. Fun!
Let It Go: with small ensembles opening the arrangement. One person from each part group singing it through first time, then adding another person per part group on the second time through, then "TUTTI" all in from there. Sounded wonderful!
One Morning Soon: this gospel number in 4-part harmonies is starting to groove. The new members really learned this so quickly! Getting some nice subtle swelling dynamics in the backing harmonies and our now HUGE male-voiced Bass section is getting so strong at leading the way with Jay's help.
Dona Nobis Pacem: it's no wonder this round has been so popular with choirs over the years - it does sound spectacular. Starting to gel beautifully with part groups listening well to each other to find the common beat - everything falls into place when we all relax down into the steady 3/4 beat. I love finishing with the bass section doing a solo. The male voices really add so much depth to this group's sound!!
Warm-down: the group back massage in a circle and hum-bath. My Fave thing! Feel-good factor of 110%!!! I adore the improvised harmonies that come out of this exercise. As John said tonight, we sound especially good when we don't "know" what we're singing.
Totally true. Letting go of mind is the key. Once we stop "thinking" about what we're doing and sing from the heart that's when we really begin to tap into the deeper energy of everything and the song lives. Learning your part is one step in the process, then unlearning it is the key.