Chair: Seb
Notes written by: JB
Attendees: JB, WT, JL, SE, MM, RM, KM
Apologies: SA, MS, DD, SS, LS
Special Guests: Heather Mitchell, Julian Hay
1. Warmup lead by RM. Thanks RM
2. Warm-up song out of the hat idea was tried out with mixed result. JB had cut up the Alpha List and brought resultant folded papers in a bag. We pulled out Moon River and sang it, and eventually Do Right. JB had not edited at source, so we had to discard several tries of songs we don’t yet know and small group songs. JB to remove these from the bag for next time.
3. Estralla Brilhante. Had moments of promise, but soon faltered due to lack of preparation, particularly in the Tenor and Bass department. Illustrated the need for preparation (homework) as distinct from rehearsal (singing together). As discussed previously in Wrablers, having learned your part means being able to sing it, unaided , together with the other parts in the song. Putting this another way, the cat* has to have been out, back in, on the raft, and back from that with a big grin on its face. Then you’re prepared for rehearsal. Listening to your part ‘a few times’ usually forms the early stages of the preparation process. JB also ably demonstrated this point later on in the evening whilst attempting to sing Let it Snow, and failing after a few bars.
4. White Christmas – not sung. Only 2 of small group present.
5. Alilo – The loud nasal sound is needed for this one, particularly for the Sops. Things will most likely improve when JL gets the rest of her voice back. The discrepancy of opinion as to where the Sops come in on Hey – eh was traced to a mistake in the score which had caused the robots to go wrong. WT to rectify this and post new files where needed. KM suggested the need for dynamics on the song, as per the Kitka version which we listened to.
6. Break
7. California Dreamin’. We had regressed on this one! Particularly on the Do-do section, though the Sops were sounding very nice here. Needs further work, both prep and singing together.
8. & 9. Ide Were and Parting Glass. Auditions took place, using these songs in small groups. It was wryly observed that original Wrablers did not have to undergo this process to join. So, respect to Heather and Julian. Both Heather and Julian appreciated that we all sang the song together first and then formed a small group, rather than ‘frog-marching them into the middle of it without preamble’ [I paraphrase. JB] We were encouraged to send our comments right away to Wendy who will compile and send out.
10. Let it Snow. WT, JL, and JB attempted this without LS on Tenor. See above. This short, abortive burst however was enough to let us know we need to bring the song down a whole tone. [And learn it properly. JB]
* for the cat references, please see the attached.
11. AOB
1. Our next gig, or lack of. JB looked into the idea hatched outside the pub last time, to hire our own venue and invite folk – do a Supperlines, as it were. However Hargrave Hall requires 10:30 finish time and is rather big… Heather knows of a venue – Battersea Barge where her other choir appeared recently. It’s free to perform but you need to promise/guartantee 50 guests for bar/food takings. She will look into these and others she knows of.
We are still looking for a venue for a Christmas show on 27 Nov or 4 Dec. Work in progress
2. Voicleab Christmas Market STOP PRESS!!! We’ve been given a slot on Tue Nov 20 at 7pm!! See separate email.
3. St Christopher’s Hospice: The view on St Christopher’s is that we would be willing to do one Sunday lunch spot again, preferably in the summer, and on a Sunday when there isn’t another popular event going on in the adjoining venue (like the jazz band we had alongside us on 24 June). And then go for a BBQ at Robin’s afterwards. [JB told Amanda this on Wed 17 Oct.]
4.Dolly is coming to teach us on 30 October at 8pm. KM will write a cheque of £60 for her, everyone to pay KM a fiver please (except JL who is in Turkey then).
5. Polly is sending WT a CD and worms for our Ludlow songs to prepare before going on 16-18 Nov. WT will put same on the site.
6. General feeling seemed to be to keep AOB short and snappy so we can get to the pub.