27 November 2014

The one with the sexy new folders. 

The words for 'You raise me up' and 'So happy together' have been added to the folders, and of course our song list, otherwise our concert would have been a little short. 

After the warm up a spot of concert etiquette for any of those feeling rusty. Ed demonstrated how to hold a folder, not easy if you have small hands. Also, when to page turn, please don't do it while the audience applaud. Receive it with grace and a smile. Then, on mass, flip those lyrics! No discussing success or lack of successful delivery in between songs.  

Then most of us used folders to run through the songs, practicing reading and memorising a line, and looking up to sing it. 

If you are not sure of the timing for Stars please have a listen to a recording of the song. You tube is always an ecellent place for homework!

Lots of songs that need a lot of energy here so that they don't sound flat. Be aware of the key change in 500 Miles as that can be an area where our weariness can show!

Fairy tale of New York to end with today!

See tou Saturday potato lovers! Much love from The Cat xxx

Thurs 20th November 2014

The second one in the common room. And closely followed by one in the dining room next week. It's found underneath the common room but boats better acoustics, peas in the corners and chewing gum under the table!

Looking forward to next may which will be very busy. A bit like the end of this term. Ed reminded choir of our two concerts and of course a small, fun wedding on Sunday where I will feel really blessed if you sing two DFS classics as Mike and I sign the register!

1pm on the 6th December for a concert at Victorian show afternoon! And Thurs 18th around 6pm for a special concert to bless the elderly. 

Extra rehearsal on the 11th December with nibbles and fun. Oh and singing. Maybe. 

Then it was time to sing. And this week we had the smashing new tyros 5 to accompany us with not a floppy drive in sight. Ed wanted to have a good whizz through. So we did. Jack had to add some extra words to San Fransisco. 

We haven't sang Take Me Home Country Roads for a while so we sang it through while Ed played live, and did really rather well. We skipped Mr Blue Sky for now, going straight into our awesome rendition of Old Friends, clinking imaginary tankards as we went. Well ok just me then. Sounds like a good new year song to me. Or maybe an end-of-the-wedding party... Just sayin'.

Sadly we found we had rusty Stars so we quickly moved on. 

400 miles later we were toting our Scottish accents and havering like pros! This one builds in a really effective way, when we all sing the right parts!

Time for a Fairy Tale of New York, and all the ladies got the tune wrong and we had to start all over again. Naughty. 

And our grand finale was the Christmas medley, now with backing track and a brief word about new sexy black choir folders, which should be available soon if you want one!

And the extra bonus was running through the song Ed wrote about The Christmases We Had When We Were Small. Sprouts don't get a mention once I don't think ...

13 November 2014

The one with the Floppy Disc Drive!

Back in the common room again... But next week we will be back in the porch.

Ed reminded everyone about our up and coming events. He didn't mention that you may sing for us, at My Wedding, during the signing of the register, and we have two telly screens to pop the words on for you! 23 November, and any question cathy@raggyrat.co.uk. Big bonus is Ed as our entertainment post lunch. Tops!

Good soloists can apply to be in a new musical!

Dum dum diddly, off we went! With sirens and hamsters to follow. Honestly, it all makes great sense really!

We sang our first song for Glenis who sadly passed away ...

Let's go to San Francisco needed some brighter notes. And possibly some notes in tune. 

500 miles had been split into parts, parts for solos, parts for groups, some for rows and then a super stage left and stage right split. Such fun! The soloists were perfect and got a round of applause. Please do the high harmony if you can. 

Well done to everyone who got north of Cirencester! 

Islands in the stream. Not bad. 

A new song next, all about remembering the Christmases when we were small. Very small. Much smaller. It's written by Ed for wey valley kids. Ed sang it for us. It appeared to be in a key for small people after all, but we got the hang of it after Ed broke it down for us! We learn quickly. 

Seriously. You have to be here. 

Treat time next as we gallop through a Christmas medley! Hanging up our stockings on the wall. Jingle bell rock. Rocking around the Christmas tree. Let it snow. Winter wonderland. I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus. Rudolf the red nose reindeer. White Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. 

Next a colour-coded cleaned up fairy take of New York. Men, ladies, both and all. Whatever that means. 

Such fun. Now it's time Ed lays down a track. And ting. I love you. 10 more sleeps xxxx

6th November 2014

The one with the wedding 

announcement! (More practical info below). 

In notices, Ed has been turning down concerts, but we will still rather busy. 

Concert 29th November. Parking at church is a little limited so roads must be used. 

Victorian show night - - pefromance at 1pm Satrday 6th December! So, more of a show day then! We will sing with the Wey Valley choir, numbering around 12. This will be a 20min medley of Christmas songs that we all know and love. 

Wyke square 12-ish on Sunday 7th! 

Monday 15th December is our Pavillion show of course, 7.30 start. 

May 8th 2015 we will sing at All Saints church Portland. 

We will be in the west-wing next week, for our practice, as other rooms are booked for exams. Follow the signs! 

Finally I announced that I would be really pleased to see lots of choir at my marriage to Michael on the 23rd November 2014. Oh yes. (My hands were shaking!) The service kicks off at 10.30 and you are all welcome, either then or nearer to 11 or 11.30 to see us tie the knot! Please do consider singing some songs with Ed while we sign the register :-)

Then we walked 500 miles! And it felt like we ran it! And then Ed made us do it all again. But later. 

Then we went to San Francisco. And Jack was doing really well without a working monitor in front of him. Well done Jack. But choir was behind the beat so Ed had us stand and sing it again only much faster. And a second time, even faster, to ignite some energy! And finally at normal speed!

Never let her slip away, we got to sit down for! Phew! But there only seemed to be Julie on backing vocals. More diction. High cheek bones and cheese! Ed had fun playing at interviewing us. Camply. Oh yes. With the dad dance too. 

Ed thrashed out the harmony parts, and it made a difference. 

Old blue skies next. It has very awkward spots, pointed out by Big Ron. But we have improved. Julie suggested we split into two. 

The way old friends do, had a new backing track which was spelled right. 

And 500 miles again to finish. With impromptu solo parts. Which turned out to be quote a few of us, so there may be competition next week when we decide the real solo parts! 

Keep singing choir, and see you next week in some far flung double classroom!  Xxx

23 October 2014

The one where I borrowed Jenny's glasses, in order to blog. And I think they are much better than mine!

Then we did a lovely new standing warm up, and a bit more sitting down! Will possibly 11 songs to run through, we needed a double portion. 

29 November concert had some nice shiny posters for us to put up, and some sexy red tickets for punters. There is going to be supper for choir members at a bargain £2 each. 

It's half term next week so don't come. Ed will be in Devon. 

1. Islands in the Stream. It had a shady beginning but we recovered well, and had a perfect ending!

2. Let's Go to San Francisco. Coming on really nicely. More work on the papas!

3. Take Me Home Country Roads. Woooo hoo!

4. Never let her slip away. Just one 'but' too many!

5. Mr Blue Sky. Hmmm. In the bag? The main thing is, remain positive. HOMEWORK. 

6. The Way Old Friends Do. Some lines are a bit rushed. 

7. Stars. A manly song. It is going to work, despite a backing track that is difficult to follow. 

8. Save the Best For Last. Ed wants you for a solo for this one. Apply after half term. It's not a song for choir. 

9. I'm Gonna Be. I'm getting drunk. Nice. 

Ed was only sad because only half his backing track was saved. Aw. 

10. Come What May. A tricky one. Maybe another solo?

11. With a Little Help From My Friends. Needs responses. Men and ladies. Not and easy key either!

16 October 2014

Tonight Jean, from Weymouth Samaritans, came to give us a bit of info and say thank you to DFS for giving them out support this year. Remember you don't need to be suicidal to give them a ring and you will find a supportive listener at the end of the line...

16 thousand calls were answered last year by the volunteers. The Samaritans also reply to emails and texts. Jean is looking forward to attending one of our concerts. 

With a few weeks to our concerts, tickets are not available for a pavvy concert on 15 Dec and we are at St Andrews on the 29th November!

Islands in stream first, Dolly Parton parts at the ready! After a sing through Ed announced that he would like a harmony part all the way through, especially as there are some low parts at the beginning, stretching the femail vocals a bit. We broke the song down and also ditched a bit of a scouce accent along the way!

More diction please, and do not under any circumstances put your jaw out while attempting a lovely wide 'Aaaarghs'. Cough. 

Let's go to San Francisco always requires a careful spell check by me and a bit less volume on the backing track this time around! Be really brave in the pah pah paaaahs, because there can be a bit of contrapunzal going on ... In other words stay in key, and let your hair down!

Things got really interesting. There's always one!

'Never let her slip away' made me feel old. I made up some alternative lyrics for this when I was in secondary school but we won't go there! This ones sure to get our fans swaying!

'Stars' we are, singing this sweet number from Les Mis in the wrong key, and stood to sing it again in the original key of D. More anger needed. 

500 miles to the last song, well it really felt like we had been jogging after singing the Proclaimers number, but we had lovely strong lungs for a rousing courus, singing together 'the way old friends do'. Wow. Have I told you I love you lately? You raise the hairs on the back of my neck sometimes! Cat xxxx

Bonus Blog! Because I love you!

Now if you want to set your yearly diaries right, here's a lot of info that Ed shared yesterday!

"Just in case you haven't noticed the forum recently, here at the latest posts

Proposed Trip:

We are looking into the possibility of a choir trip to Canterbury from Friday 15th May until Sunday 17th May. This would be in conjunction with a choir called Lemon Zingers run by a friend who used to teach in Weymouth called Lemon Otter, and is a fab vocal coach. Costings for the trip will be around £175 to include accommodation, insurance, coach travel, two breakfasts, two evening meals and Sunday lunch, bargain! If you're interested please email dfs@live.co.uk and you can reserve a place.

Dorset for Singing Dorchester:

Breaking News! Plans are now in place for the Dorchester branch of Dorset for Singing and the launch evening is almost certainly going to be on Wednesday 7th January at 7pm at the United Reformed Church, South Street, Dorchester. Parking will be available free of charge in the car park by the new council offices, and the entrance to the church is from Charles Street. DfS Weymouth gold members can upgrade their membership for just £10 and can come along to both choirs for the rest of the year, if they fancy! The launch party will hopefully involve a short concert by DfS Weymouth and a Q&A session before rehearsals begin on Wednesday 14th January. More news to follow.

Term Dates

25th September
2nd October
9th October
16th October
23rd October

Half Term

6th November
13th November
20th November
27th November
4th December

Christmas Break

7th January, Dfs Dorchester Launch
14th D, 15th January W
21st D, 22nd January W
28th D, 29th January W
4th D, 5th February W
11th D, 12th February W

Half Term

25th D, 26th February W
4th D, 5th March W
11th D, 12th March W
18th D, 19th March W
25th D, 26th March W

Easter Break

22nd D, 23rd April W
29th D, 30th April W
6th D, 7th May W
13th D, 14th May W
(Fri 15th - Sun 17th May proposed Canterbury trip)
20th D, 21st May W

Half Term

3rd D, 4th June W
10th D, 11th June W
17th D, 18th June W
24th D, 25th June W
1st D, 2nd July W

Now I need a lie down!"

2nd October 2014

The late start to the term - for Cat!

Well back in the deep end of DFS was I, and so efficient was Ed that he handed me a crib sheet with all the notices and songs. I refused to type it word for word of course. 

Tonight was the selecting this years charity night, with nominations being voted for at the end of our session together. 

We discussed the new clothing option which is tops of choice embroidered with our famous rainbow logo. Gave our new groovy pens a plug and moved onto next years trip to perform with lemon otter's choir. 15-17 May in Canterbury. 

DFS Dorchester is being launched in January next year. This is the pound land of choir world. The presence of DFS Weymouth is requested to perform and answer questions from new hungry singers. 

Unlike last week which controversially lacked warm up, we hit a few scales! 

Ed's lovely print out reproduced just for you, here! Thanks Ed, you saved me some typing, but that's not why I love you!

Islands in the stream sounded lovely apart from a bit of a dip at the point of the key change. Then we worked at out country accents and a soft start. Oh yes. Magic three pennies was brought into play for the first time in our 6 years together. The penny dropped. We got it right thrice. Then stood to perform! Don't forget to pause on the dots. 

Last week, 'Let's Go to San Francisco' blew Ed clean away. Looks like a natural choice for Dorset's best choir. A shy start this week especially this week, but then all the harmony people rembered how cool they were and all was well. Coffuffles not required. 

After watching the Rock Choir sing 'Mr Blue Sky' we jumped to singing 'The Way Old Friends Do' with a smashing, although not dog-friends backing track!

And this just in folks- we are supporting the samartans this year. Cause everyone needs a good simaritan. Keep singing. Cat xxxx