I like that. Rings true for me. It's tough on us spiritual beings this humanity lark - tough gig! LOL!! But singing makes it oh so much easier.
Although I always work/play hard at a Freedom Train rehearsal, I am constantly amazed by how energised I feel afterwards. I am on a singing high.
And it's such a privilege to be doing something I love for my living and working with such great folks.
The choir is made up of beautiful people, very generous and kind and honest and and supportive. I am truly grateful for these blessings.
So the rehearsal log:
LET IT GO
Extended the "sextets & trios" exercise that we touched on before Easter, the goal being that EVERYONE take at least one turn at singing in the smaller ensemble.
It was great to see the courage and willingness to "have a go" from those perhaps not-so-sure, (and the big smiles when they'd done it!) and the non-judgemental, helpful support shown to them by the entire group.
I loved hearing the smaller groups, the individual voices coming out more, and beautiful blends between the different combinations. After everyone had a turn, we went back to singing it as a whole choir and WOW, the sound then effortlessly lifted the roof!!
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Our BIG piece!! Spent 15 minutes running this, with a little bit of detail work on the Sopranos part in Verse 3. he aim tonight was to sing it REALLY slowly. On the videos of our first performance of this, it sounds sooooo fast and clunky. I didn't feel fast at the time, so I think we need to sing it so it feels slow, then it will sound just right, find its groove, & make sense of what the Sops are singing in the verses. LOL!
This proved to be the case tonight - really worked much better and the parts could really start to find some cohesion. We'll just keep chipping away on this and I know it's going to become a real showcase number for Freedom Train and a bit of a coming of age too.
DONA NOBIS PACEM
Learned at last session, this came together beautifully tonight, even when some of the part groups got a bit off track with "what phrase when". It didn't seem to matter. I do love rounds and this one is a pearler. There's a reason it's a classic.
SOLSTICE TIME
This lovely Russian lullaby we sing on lyrics "Lai-lai-lai". One of the first pieces the choir learned so it was nice to go back to it and good for the newer members to hear.
It's another 3-part round with a real sea-faring 6/8 sway to it, in a delicately haunting minor key. Good way to spend the last 10 mins of our gathering.
Next week ahoy!!