27 January / 1900 / Golden Lane
ATTENDEES
CS, JB, LS, MM, MR, PS, PV, RM, SC, WT
Chair: CS
Treasurer’s Report and any issues arising (CS)
Treasurer’s Report was discussed and approved unaninmously, with thanks to Colin and Robin for ‘eyes on’.
There was some discussion around the fees charged by TicketTailor but since no-one could suggest a cheaper alternative, we decided to keep selling tickets that way.
We are in an ok shape financially although there are a few upcoming expenses (eg hire of Ralph Perring for workshop) which are unexpected, but Colin will add to our usual fees.
Rob S, Annie D-S and Elizabeth are attending the workshop and will pay for participation but not contribute to the cost of hiring the space.
Jobs list, including staging (JB)
JB thanked especially CS, RM and PS for their help with room bookings, Doodles, song schedule and booking Unity Hall etc.
It was agreed that SC would take on management of the gig consumables (tablecloths, paper cups etc). JB will share the list with SC, and remain as keeper of the Wrablers box. SC to delegate any shopping needed.
Admin (JB)
LS volunteered to take on staging for gigs, ie making notes of where we stand, groupings etc.
Constitution Update (JB)
JB pointed out that the constitution is slightly out of date and needs refreshing. It’s mainly factual stuff. CS offered to do this and will bring to next meeting for review and agreement. WT to check it’s available on this website for ease of access.
Keeping song notes in rehearsal (PV)
PV asked for clarification about keeping song notes.
In the discussion, we agreed that the rehearsal chair would resume taking notes of each rehearsal, including notes about individual songs. This will help those who sponsor songs but are not able to attend a rehearsal where their song is rehearsed. It will then be the responsibility of the song sponsor to take the content of the minutes and add those to their song page. Instructions on how to do this are provided in a video on the website.
PS’s instructions on how to update the song schedule have also been turned into a video.
We agreed that taking notes for an all-day rehearsal is a two person job. LS to share with PV. MX suggested rotating this responsibility in the manner of rotating rehearsal chairs.
Two possible performance opportunities this year (RM)
Penge arts festival – date to be announced
This will be an all day event at Robin’s local arts festival. He will keep us informed of the date. We would sing a short set, and help with the teaching of a simple song.
Everyone seemed in favour.
Crossrail place roof garden
Robin will find out more about how to participate in this and report back.
Make Music Day 2026 (WT)
WT proposed taking part in Make Music Day 2026 at the library in a format similar to last year. There was general agreement this is a good thing. All please diarise Sunday 21 June 2026 (this is a week before our gig, so good practice!
AOB
There was no AOB
Actions
- JB to share gig equipment list with SC
- MX to share Annie’s staging document with all Wrablers via the website
- JB to post updated Wrabler Jobs List on website.
- Song sponsors reminded to keep their song pages up to date.
- Rehearsal chairs to share notes of rehearsals in the same way as these notes have been shared.
- WT to provide ‘how to’ video to help others learn this process
- Everyone to save 21 June 2026 in their diaries for Make Music Day 2026. WT to add to Wrablers calendar
REHEARSAL SECTION
We rehearsed three of the four songs we’re doing at the Rob Gildon workshop in February.
- Crossing the Bar
- try to be as off-book as possible for the workshop to allow for working on timing, harmonies, dynamics etc
- Lovely on the Water
- Some of the crunchy harmonies require more confidence
- has a tendency to drag
- note that “sea” and “canon” are singular
- sopranos to attack the high Es with more confidence and gusto. consider working on upper register exercises with Rob G at the workshop
- Seal Lullaby
- timing is everything! will need to be better at the notes by the time of the workshop so we can concentrate on dynamics more
- everyone please try and work on bars 53 (or 55 depending on which sheet you’re using) to end
- sound needs to be legato but not swooping – work on this with Rob G at workshop
- MR suggested (or was it PS?) having piano accompaniment on the workshop day – someone to ask Rob S nicely.