present: AL, LS JB, MS, JL, MM, SA, SS, KM, UW, SE
apologies: WT and RM
0. 1855 by popular request Goring songs playback, followed by discussion, for which I’ve jotted down soundbytes:
Not the kindest of recordings….. recording does not lie…..some wrong notes…..retitience….important to feel committed…..difficult to give ourselves feedback…..be good to get (someone to) give feedback in rehearsal….people liked us at GU….need to go through first few notes of Blackbird slowly…..we should take turns to sit out and listen….important to practice each part separately (can then hear mistakes)….practice 2 parts together….need to get into performance mode…..warm up important….our car park session was not good……need to make ourselves a space even if not available , eg by forming a tight inward facing circle huddle.
MM : the bubble of euphoria following Goring was rather deflated by listening to the recordings. The reproduction was not high fidelity, but from tiny tinny speakers. The experience has made us think about the work we need to do for the Orwell gig.
1. 1918 warmup. Physical warmup and sing through Summertime and Iqude – Jeanette
2. 1928 I want to Break Free : Sebastian. Each part sung through alone with improvements noted, plus work on middle eight to end. A productive session. Learn your parts even more!
3. 2000 The Parting Glass : Louli. A good start! This session achieved its aim of singing the song and sounding reasonable. Heads were buried in copy, so need to learn those words, people.
3rd Verse Work on the newly discovered 3rd verse, and decision on whether its a boys only verse, was deferred. The sheet its on has slight differences in wording for V1 and V2, so for these we agreed to stick to the ones we started with.
4. 2030. A break, in which we celebrated Simon’s anniversary.
5. 2048 end of break. 2052 Moon River : Simon, who emerged to lead the second rendition forcefully, slower, and with feeling. Good work!
6. 2104 (Twa Corbies dropped – 2 part/3 part issues, better to leave it). Lassie lie near me. No leader, a bit messy. We need to work on this later.
7. 2110 Pub gig Flyer – the one in front of Oak barn preferred to us in a field. Filled the space with smiles….. Invite your friends!
8 AOB
Lida Rose : report from pub – difficulties with squeaky tenor may be resolved by singing it an octave down. Due to pub gig and Robin making himself homeless, we will get together soon, but aim to report on work in progress rather than readiness.
Goring Feedback: we had this earlier
Wendy: proposal about next Polly session – deferred as getting late.
Orwell Gig: Set list: general feeling that less is good, and that we should concentrate on what we can do well, trimming set list if necessary. (see current set list below).
Extra rehearsal between 5th and 15th Nov generally felt to be a Good Idea – needs an owner to make it happen (and Juliana has managed to propose Tuesday 8th Nov shortly before I send out these notes).
Rehearsal location: Uli said that in general, to have rehearsals as far out as Cricklewood during the week is not good for her – tiring, long way to and from etc, but kindly agreed to make an exception during the run up to the Orwell gig in light of Wendy’s current child care predicament, and our need to rehearse lots.
November 5th rehearsal at Uli’s place.
Post planned with firework times:
(Fireworks start at 8 o’clock. http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/events/whats-on/fireworks/Pages/default.aspx )
Have lunch before arriving.
We start at 2pm giving two sessions including proper tea/ coffee and cake break before earlyish dinner at 6-6.30.
Then amble to the Heath between 7-7.30 to find our spot.
Back to the house after the fireworks to the house to have some warming drinks….
Uli will provide teas, coffee and dinner (thanks Uli!!) , and asks that we bring cakes and drinks (we can arrange who brings what in advance).
Maps directions train times will be provided in due course.