Welcome - or welcome back - to KTB Music Theatre Chorus! Come in and sit down. No, wait, stand up again. Now sit down again. Now clap on any word that has an 'O' in it... Yes, Katy's been making us all exercise again, and we have opinions about it. Who needs the gym when KTB's got Leg Day covered and we're all laughing so hard that we ache?
When we're all out of breath, starting the session with "Sleigh Ride" (The Ronettes) might have been a little optimistic. The sopranos have some very sneaky notes, the altos have some very diabolical notes, and we're all debating what the notes 'should' be in general. It's not the line we're all singing along to when the radio is on, that's for sure. Our audience won't have that problem, and that's all that really matters.
Now that we once more have a full cast for "There Is a Santa Claus" (Elf: The Musical), we're making the most of it, and also taking the chance to tighten up some of those harmonies so that our newbies get the best version of everything. "How are you all getting that F?" Katy asked the Sop 1s. We collectively agreed that not jinxing it might be the best way forward. Muscle memory can be a finicky thing if you start overthinking the situation.
Surprise! Back to the KTB Music Gym, cups of tea still in hand. None of us are quite sure why this was introduced mid-session - possibly the idea that too much exercise at the start of the rehearsal might cause our newbies to flee - but here we are. More clapping and stomping and singing, all at the same time. "You're supposed to be listening to each other," said a very exasperated KTB. This writer is starting to suspect that we're the test subjects for these exercises because if something can make it through MTC, a less chaotic group will do just fine.
The theme of the evening - getting us all listening to each other - carried on through our next song. "Rudolph" (Robbie Williams) and those 40 pages of 'hot potato'. We're getting the feel of this one now, so it's time to get picky about it. The "questionable oohs" and dodgy timings all need to be ironed out so that when we join in with the other KTB choirs and the kids, we aren't standing out for all the wrong reasons. I have a feeling that this might end up being one of the big crowd-pleasers.
A new song up next! "Born Is The King" (from writers Crocker and Ligertwood) is a modern piece with a cheerful vibe. The mid-song retrieval of a giant bag of percussion eggs from one of the mystery corners of the Studio was the icing on the fruit cake here, while Katy seemed to be experiencing a minor existential crisis at the entire situation. We had no official word on whether we'll be able to bring said percussion eggs along to the actual performance. It definitely adds to the musical landscape, is all we're saying.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (Jackson 5) is starting to find its snow shoes, with every repeat catching more of those little snippets and line changes that we'd better watch out for (do you see what I did there?). This is another of those "so well known that we absolutely need to get it right or the audience will know" numbers. Hopefully, if we get it right, the big guy in the red suit will put us on the Nice List. We've submitted our request for a personal appearance at the show, so keep your fingers crossed that we make the cut!
There was just enough time to finish with a quick (because it's only three verses) sing-through of "While Shepherds Watched" (the "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At" version). We were all a little taken aback when we realised that it really was time to go home.
These rehearsals feel so short when we're in them, and the concerts are coming up fast. Dates lists and sign-up sheets appeared this evening for us all to figure out who will be singing where, because we have quite a full calendar of family-friendly festive events. Our first concert is, of course, our 'Kickstart To Christmas' concert, which will land in all its tinselled, glittery, wall-of-sound-going-into-your-bones glory at Chorley Town Hall on 28 November. Tickets are on sale for that right now on our website.
If you miss our big concert, the following day (29 November) we will be singing at Longton's Winter Wonderland to celebrate the big holiday lights switch-on party! There will be food, drinks, music, and a chance to get some of your gift shopping settled, all supplied by local businesses from across Longton.
6 December sees us returning to Chew's Yard in Preston to provide a musical backdrop for a late lunch and market shop with your loved ones. We're so excited to be invited back to Chew's Yard; we've made some great memories there in previous years, and the atmosphere is always impeccable.
More carol-singing is scheduled for 18 December at Booths in Longton, where we will be raising money for charity and bringing some cheer with our six-hour singathon. Yes, six hours. If you're curious about how that works: most of us do not do the whole day. We are already sending strength to those who will be there for the whole thing. If you've just picked the day you'll be doing your big holiday meal shop because you want to see this in action, we look forward to seeing you!
Will we have anything else added to the list as December draws nearer? Quite possibly, so keep an eye on our website and socials! We'll be hard at work until then, getting those notes in order. KTB is probably plotting more ways to get us to exercise... perhaps I'll start doing some stretches before chorus from now on...
Written by Aeryn Isherwood