Dorchester 6/05/15

Hello folks in Blog land, is there anybody out there ?

T'was an eerily quiet evening in Dorchland, not many of us turned up. was it the bank holiday, or had everyone been blown to the land of Oz by those very strong winds? If they all return as Munchkins, we know it was the latter. 

Although low in number, the quality of sound was surprisingly lovely, the keen ones were in clearly.

Whilst Jack was fighting with the laptop, (naughty laptop!), Ed chatted about a few things happening this term, but he said we probably won't be working on any new songs for now. We shall be doing some 'fine tuning', and perfecting, no pressure ! 

A phantom voice boomed from the sound system, and everyone laughed nervously. We decided to leave the technology alone and get down to some singing.

First on the list, The Street Where You Live, well, if you are harmoniously inclined, there are some lovely ones on the second verse 'lilac tree ees' and the fourth verse 'stop and stare'.

Chiquitita, harmonies, sounding great, all views and opinions are my own of course!

Get Around getting there.

Dont Sleep In The Subway, great harmonies for the last two choruses, making us sound like a proper grown up choir!

Lean On Me, timing tricky on this one, Some.......times in our lives-----------for.......it wont be long etc etc, love this song though. I must also add, that Ed is adamant that we must not nod our way through this one, but I fear this is a big ask!

Breaking Up is hard to do received the comment, " Oh let just see what happens", then Ed started on about Bach, and sliding 5ths......see how far Dorchester have come! No people, I didn't understand him either.

Reach Out was next on the list, followed by Waterloo.

If you are coming to our Portland extravaganza on Friday, it starts at seven thirty and Ed will be there from just after six. If you get panicked about parking, there is Tesco as a last resort, and it is quite close to the church, they will be only too pleased to help the community, they're desperate since the German invasion.

See you soon ,Carole M x


                        

Dorchester Choir 29/4/15

The technology failed us this week, so we shared words, the one week I didn"t have my folder as I left in a hurry! typical! But it turned out to be a good exercise in remembering and I think we surprised ourselves.

The warm up was really fun, Ed was waving his arms like an air traffic controller, sending us up, down and all over the place. It sounded very harmonious and raised a few giggles.

Ed spoke about the concert on Friday the 8th May at All Saints Church Portland, its at 7-30 and will be a lovely one to ease us in. Iit's a very relaxed evening, and we will have the Weymouth choir to hold us up, not literally of course, we can go to the pub afterwards.

The choir mostly wear the uniform t shirt, as long as we get the colour right we can wear any top,with black bottoms. The colours are purple, orange, powder blue, sunshine yellow, lime green, and I think there is bright pink, if you look on the website at the choir logo, these are the colours. 

Now for some songs, we started with Don't Sleep in The Subway. Ed complimented us on not being a 'warbley' choir, and believe me this is a real compliment. According to Ed, we sound like a young choir, I for one will be taking extra care with hair and make up on Friday week!

Round Round Get Around was next up, we are really giving this one some wellie now.

A little Help from My Friends , Reach Out, and to finish, Breaking Up is Hard to Do. I think The King and I was in there somewhere, must pay more attention, too busy having fun, but after all is said and done, that is why we love DORSET FOR SINGING !                                                                                    

         See you next time, Carole M x                         

DFS Dorchester 22/04/2015

After the long Easter Break it was lovely to see everyone again, and also to arrive, and leave, in daylight.

Jenny was on door duty for the first session of this term, but we need willing volunteers to take a turn on the door now and then, you need to be there by six twenty-five-ish if you feel you would like to help out.

We started off with our warm up, Ed reminded us that as we don't have time for a very lengthy one, it is a good idea to warm up as we go about our daily routine, whether that be at work, shopping, electioneering, whatever. Dorchester will take no notice, apparently they are accustomed to this kind of behaviour. Thats probably because they have a town crier, and an arts centre.

Notices - We are going to be joining our big brothers and sisters in the Weymouth choir for their upcoming gigs, and we will be showcasing all that we have been learning some time in june in the church. Thank goodness for the great acoustics.

We then set to work on a few songs. Lean on Me is a great song for building confidence, and Ed gave us some
nice easy harmonies, it sounded really good.

We did Reach Out, harmonies again, and of course that grunt, nobody did it in the wrong place this time, but it's much more fun when they do. We all love singing this one, memories of our misspent youth!

We ended the rehearsal with The Beatles song, A Little Help from My Friends. The words of this song don't really fit us, as we are on the whole, a, shall we say, somewhat mature, albeit gorgeous bunch. Our highs are probably a nice cup of tea and a cream cake, or a cheeky glass of something, with our shoes off! But hey, this probably applies to Paul and Ringo too nowadays. By the way, who was YOUR Beatle? 

See you next week, don't forget to sing your way around Tesco, Waitrose, Poundland, you know you want to.

Carole M x

                        

DFS Dorchester 25/03/15

DFS Dorchester 25/03/15               

We all remembered not to go to church. Many now familiar smiling faces, (one lone man, come on chaps, give us a hand here!) were gathered in anticipation, slightly worried about the rather exposing acoustic in the back room.

It was indeed, exposing, and knocked some of us down a peg or two. Ed thought this to be a good thing, as singing in a church with such wonderful acoustics could be lulling us into a false sense of gloriousness.

                           

So, feeling full of trepidation, especially as Ed was sporting a collar and tie, and Jack, was very professionally seated behind a desk, we launched into our warm up. After all manner of screeching, growling and facial contortion, he who must be obeyed exclaimed that these warm ups are not at all effective. He simply finds them very amusing. You now have the measure of things, but still we turn up each week!

We are here because we love to sing, and we sang our hearts out, Chiquitita is really coming on, we are sitting in a group for the harmony part and this gives us more confidence. Don't wait for the person next to you to start, just be bold. Better to be wrong with confidence, but you are probably right so go for it!

King And I very HIGH for some, but will sound gorgeous before too long, some lovely moments in it.

Then Round, round, get around, PUB. Simple.

We have been asked to sing at The Race for life on May 31st, less exhausting than running, but a nice thing to be able to do for a great cause. Some of you will know this, but I have heard that the atmosphere is second to none.

We are giving Ed a rest now until April 22nd, but keep singing, don't let that voice disappear after all that shouting and hollering !

A good few of us headed off to the Vivo Lounge, joined by Jenny, Ed's Wife , normally they send a nurse for him at the end of each session, but we are improving.

                                                                                                              Have a lovely Easter, Carole M. x

DFS Dorchester 18/03/15.

Ed showed off his amazingly clever new equipment this evening, he calls it 'white box', it's a thing, it's wireless, I'm a girl.

It seemed to work though, because our esteemed. leader gave us lots of praise tonight. We are sounding rather lovely, even sitting down, so imagine how wonderful the sound when we stand up. White box enables Ed to conduct us, so this is a huge asset. Jack also demonstrated its portability, that boy has so many uses.

We had a lovely, hissy warm up, followed by some loud shouting ones. We should have been together on this, but Jackie frightened the living daylights out of poor Ed by going it alone. He thought the choir was turning nasty, we had a giggle at Jackies expense. No one is safe here in the humiliation stakes.

All warmed up and ready for anything, we started with Chiquitita, harmonies coming along nicely there. Next up was I Get Around, and King and I to finish, all sounding much improved according to Ed.

At the beginning of the session, Ed told us he had. received an enquiry for us to perform at an event in Weymouth at the end of June, he asked if we would like to perform with the Weymouth choir, or on our own. Tthe general feeling was that we would like to join the veterans (sorry Weymouth) as we feel a little undersized just yet, but watch this space, we are ever growing!

Don't forget that next week we will be in a room at the back and not in the church. Last one before Easter so drinkies, probably the Vivo Lounge (turn left at the horse, down the steps). Our intention had been to frequent The Junction, but they have bolted the doors, could they have heard that we are recruiting men?

If you are a sensible person reading this blog, I can only apologize, I am a ghost writer, was that whistling I heard again?   TTFN, Carole x

DFS Dorchester 11/03/15

  Ed suggested we aim for a little concert perhaps in the early part of the Summer term, so no need to panic. It will be in the church which is lovely as the acoustics there are wonderful.

I hope it wont be too much of a shock when we practice in the room at the back on March 25th, this being the last one before Easter. Ed suggested we go to the pub afterwards to recruit some men, I'm p.r.e.t.t.y. sure thats what he said?

Whilst those Weymouth girls (under sixty) and not men, are literally battling it out to become international, spoon playing, dinner-ladies in a chocolate ad, we in Dorchester, are having our own issues with the big screen. The one with the lyrics on it. Things can only get better. If you would like to print out your own copies to bring to rehearsal, you can find them on the Dorset For Singing website. Click on SONGS and Bobs your uncle. If by any chance Bob IS your Uncle, do bring him to choir, we girls are desperate.

I should tell you about the singing. Last night we did a kind of didgeridoo warm up, followed by some siren sounds, making a point of not peaking too soon. Quite difficult whilst giggling!

All warmed up and ready we started with I get Around, then spent some time on The King and I, followed by Chicken Tikka (sorry, I must learn the correct name). Ed reminded us of all the harmonies, and we tried, we really did, and its all beginning to sound more confident. Like Maria in The Sound of Music, I skip off with my peasant dress and battered suitcase, singing The Hills Are Alive, as I slowly lose the plot. Too old for adverts indeed! Over and out, Carole M

DFS Dorchester 04/03/15

DFS Dorchester 04/03/15

Tonight we encountered the whistling phantom of Dorchester, it was possibly a stray pilates lady or perhaps the caretaker, or even a leftover vicar, all very strange. Shirley and I held hands, we kept singing, the whistler joined in...

Nobody could work out where the sound was coming from. It seems our singing was appreciated but by who? A few of us kept Ed and Jack company while they packed up!

We worked on The King and I medley, a little confused over whether we were male or female, especially as some of us were still holding hands, hey ho.

Then a completely different mood for the Beach boys, and after that Chicken Tikka for dessert. Quite a few new faces tonight, I hope they get used to our unruly ways, Ed is trying to tame us though. There was an unfortunate incident involving the lap top and a boy named Jack, fortunately they both survived.

I think the proper blogger is back next week, so goodbye from me, and keep whistling in the dark whoever you are. Carole M x

DFS Dorchester 25/02/15

We kicked off with our usual uninhibited warm up, I think we are getting used to this now and don't feel quite so silly, the warm up being an important thing, do it on the bus or in the car on the way and you will be star quality by the time we start singing.

This week Jack was huddled to the side of the room at the controls, he is so quick when extra information is needed, great stuff Jack.

The room was more highly populated on one side, turned out, they didn't want to sing in Italian so thought they would stay British, The Prayer wasn't sung so it was funny when our lovely choir members owned up, the Italians were wondering what they had done and felt very alone.

I had to phone a friend to confirm what we did sing, gets confusing going to both choirs, first was Chicken tikka, followed by The King and I medley, then we all Got Around with the Beach Boys, May led us in the harmony,that girl is on it !

Looking forward to next week, it's great to know choir is now on two nights, busy people that we all are, means we have choice, I'm just greedy. Carole M x

12 February 2015

D.F.S. Dorchester 11/02/15

Lots of friendly faces from both sides of the hill, getting to know each other a little more .

Ed and his manager Jack all set up and ready for the off, thanks go to the kind lady who stepped in at the last minute to do the door keeping duty.

We panted and we grunted, then pretended to be Italian again for our warm up, followed by the Vicar, or was that Ed ? giving us the parish notes.

He reminded us not to turn up by mistake next week as it is half term. We return on the eighteenth to begin a five week term culminating in a fund raising concert for our chosen charity for this year, M.N.D..  

Ed asked us to consider coming forward with a solo or a group performance for this event, this was greeted with a terrified silence, five weeks is a long time in this choirs short life so, ever hopeful, I bet there is some real talent just waiting to be unleashed, so, this could be your chance !

We rehearsed five lovely songs, everyone has their own favourite, all too soon it's eight o clock and time for home, and the night still young. Keep singing, Carole M x

4 February 2015

D F S Dorchester 4th February

A very good turnout considering the chilly weather, but as we all know, we will be warmer and full of the joys of Spring by eight p.m.

We had a good old warm up that consisted of shouting at the big window, and some improvised harmonies, I was actually trying to contact my dear departed Auntie Lil but the vibe wasn't right, sorry Dorchester but this strange humour is how they roll 'tother side of the ridgeway.

I think the order we rehearsed the songs was, The Prayer , free Italian lesson, thanks Jack, followed by, Get Around? (Beach Boys, not sure if that is the title) and then, the lilting and marvelous, Street Where You Live.

Lots of smiley, and increasingly  familiar faces at the end, we are the toddlers of the D.F.S family, but we'll be running soon !                  

See you next time , Carole M x

28 January 2015

Dorset For Singing - Dorchester 

The night opened with Ed stating if anyone in the hall was there for the meeting its nextdoor! Through the first warm up a man stood up and sharpishly left the room (think he was waiting for the meeting hehe).

We had the chance to think of any charities we would like to put forward for the term, in which we voted for at the end of the evening. Songs for the evening where ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE, I GET AROUND, CHIQUITITA and DONT SLEEP IN THE SUBWAY. We sung each song and then broke them down into the verses, getting the harmonys sounding right and not ''sliding'' from high to low and low to high.

The evening ended with chior members speaking out as to why they would like to put forward each charity. After voting lastnight Ed has today anounced we will be supporting Motor Neurone Association for West Dorset. 

Written By Chelsea Lauren xx

21 January 2015

The one from Carole M ...

A great turn out for very early days of D F S Dorchester, everyone had a great time, enjoying Ed's relaxed, yet very informative style teaching , just keep peeling the grapes and he is no trouble at all.

We had a fun (as always) warm up, then we sang through the songs,  Ed gave us notes on how to improve our breathing and on the timing and feel after each rendition , posh word eh ?

The songs were, Lean on me, Don't sleep in the subway, Chicken Tikka, (cant stop myself) and Imagine.

Everyone left on a high, looking forward to the next session. From where I was sitting, the future is looking good. Carole M x

14 January 2015

Dorchester Section Of DFS'S First Rehersal 

Firstly a great turnout by the Dorchester group!

We started the evening off with some stretches to loosen us up and relax those of us who were anxious. This was then followed by warming up our vocals and pretending we were shouting to someone across the road to get their attention and hold the note.

Our First song to practice was 'Lean On Me' For a first attempt i personally think we did ourselfs proud. Ed told us about shortening our S'ss so that we dont sound like snakes hissing at the end of the verses.

This was then followed by 'Imagine' which was also sung well for our first performance, although the group went quiet when we hit the You-hoo-ooo's . 

Also mentioned was the membership we could opt for or to pay for each session as we turn up. Also the fact that water is avalible in a ''sports cap bottle''.

We look forward to seeing you all next week, Chelsea xx