Some people missing again tonight : suspect that there are lots of coughs and colds still going the rounds.
Took us a while to get warmed up with various climbing sounds, hee hee hee, ooh ooh ooh, ah ah ah etc. Sing merrily, merrily joined up like cursive handwriting with your voice!
Began with “What a wonderful world“. We know the tune but we need to be aware when we split into two parts and it does sound so lovely. Katy pointed out halfway through the song that we need to begin to “swing” the notes, Louis Armstrong style. It sounds more relaxed even though the notes look the same. It was good to sit back to listen to the tops strong and brave with the main tune. Song is arranged by Mark Hayes and Katy loves how he has created the harmony.
“It’s de lovely," made famous by Cole Porter, another song that swings. Starting a new song we have to get the notes first, the up and downs in the right place. Some of the group knew the song more than others. We looked at some rests between the notes that sometimes give you time to breathe, but told not to get sucked in to the notes that are close together. Thia really helps when the other groups are singing their part, it gives you the chance to follow the words and try to commit them to memory.
Invisible String, by Taylor Swift. Katy played and we listened to her singing and it helps the song become a little more familiar, when it is a complete unknown. The timing changes frequently: lots of concentration and practice leads to a great sound when the three parts come together, very satisfying.
Finished with “I can’t help myself “, really went for it and sang out. Great rehearsal.
Written by Maria Baxter