Chair: Wendy
Venue: Linklaters
Attendees: JB, DC, SE, KM, MM, RM, WT
Apologies: DD, JL, LS, JP, MS
Songs
Java Jive
Sounding good, despite there being v few girls. Don’t get any ideas, chaps. Tenors tightened up their timing on “cup, a-cup” bit and sounding much better. Altos good on their solo. RM declared himself pleased.
Sloop John B
This one was more tricky without most of the tops to drive it along, (come back tops!) but we somehow managed. We seem (fingers crossed) to have nailed the staggered entrances in in bars 79-80 (“let me go, let me go”). Please could everyone practise this section in particular as homework? From the beginning of the Poor cook he got the squits verse. Ta.
Mercy
Slightly tricky to work through this one without the sops, but Duncan did sterling work in standing in for them, and for the altos.
Spent a long time concentrating on the dm dms and getting the timing of the tenors coming in then the altos, and the sops etc. And the bass line too. It works. It rocks.
Africa
Matt’s (and Juliana’s) edits to this one really seemed to work well, but obviously we’ll need to run through the whole thing when we’re back together again in two weeks. Please those of you who were not there, familiarise yourselves with the edits (see email exchange of1-2 June. It will be good if we can all be up to speed for next time.
Brolis Kelsa
We practised a few different approaches to the tone of this and finally settled on men singing Georgian style and women singing “like a smiling little girl” (I think this means sweetly). It seemed to work. The tone of the whole song improves mightily when words are cast aside. Please could everyone make a special effort to be off book for next go? Tuning and melody seem to be under control. Thanks.
AOB
Christmas gig all day rehearsals
JB suggested weekend of 11/12 October for our 1st all-day rehearsal for the Christmas gig, plus 22/23November for the 2nd. WT agreed to do a Doodle for the dates asap.
Subs – due now?
WT thought subs were due but the matter was deferred due to low attendance. Just as well because she later remembered Mercedes taking subs whilst at LendLease and Sally being there, so it can’t be time yet. Please could Mercedes let us know the amount we have in the bank? We are keen to buy a small amp for miking up of sops on Mercy. Robin has a mic.
Wrablers Go Forth in Search of a Decent Pub
Another attempt was made on the Jugged Hare, but we were repelled for wanting to drink only in their restaurant, so made another foray into the labyrinth that is the Barbican Centre. A rather nice Lounge was discovered, serving cold white wine and tapas, which we willingly tucked into. Said “see you next week” to the serving staff as we left. Think that’s sorted then?
Discovered the foyer of the Barbican very excellent acoustically and sang a verse of Pretty Saro there to mutual delight. Worth exploring for next week too – it’s not exactly crowded there. Anyone notice any security cameras?
Night all.
Rep Gang
Duncan expressed an interest to join the rep gang for the next round (choosing songs for Jan-July 2015. Please could people think about this for themselves so that we can appoint at next meeting.
Next Meeting
In two weeks’ time, at Linklaters. Next week boys meet at Linklaters, Madrigals at Wendy’s. See most of you on Tuesday 17 June, at Linklaters. Chair is Kathleen.
Songs: You’re the one , Sinner Man, Mercy, Africa, Brolis Kelsa