Rudsamblog

Here is the low down from last night for your perusal:

Peter did a very jolly warmup.

We presented Oli with an offensive weapon which might, in hindsight, have been a inappropriate gift and might well encourage despotic tendencies.

We then went through formation sheets and discovered, much to Susan's consternation, that she is actually called 'Natalie next to Kay'.

Normal formation for first two songs only (normal is used therefore in an ironic sense)
In parts formation for everything else.
Sovay has its own formation.
For Sleep Oli will stand in front of everyone with said offensive weapon one hopes.

Then had a copyright discussion but there seemed to be some disagreement. Suffice to say that official and thereby legal copies of Sleep are on their way. Anne requests that we only use pencil in these copies.

There is some moving about while in formations but I suggest that if someone grabs you by the shoulders then move as I lost track of who was moving when and where.

We are not singing Visur or Dle Dle and Optimists Song will be our final piece.
We discussed the pros and cons of singing an encore and unless the audience fall off their chairs with enthusiasm and a large man in a suit offers us a multimillion pound deal with Sony then we probably won't do one - though if we do then it will be Dle Dle.

Then we started singing:

AURORA - fine. I think the only difficulty was standing out of parts for the first time.

BONNY - Peter moves for flute playing. Oli is only going to give 1 bar so WATCH. Oli said 'lovely' which is encouraging.

SOVAY - It is very difficult to pretend that you have murderous tendencies when the gentlemen of our choir are staring at us. I for one cannot help giggling. Oli said 'it will be fine' which sounds ominous.
The difficulty is moving and singing at the same time. At the end we turn back to the audience on the second 'pulled the trigger'.

MIHI AUTEM - we should be quiet at the beginning and have a rounded tone. Basses (actually everyone) need to make a nice 'Ow' noise for 'Autem'. From 'hi' to 'au' don't change the shape of your mouth just open up.
Keep feeling the phrases and when sops come in on the 'f' at the start it can be a little louder so we don't sound too squeaky.
Remember rum should be like cat's bum...surely there is potential for a truly marvellous poem there. It rhymes and everything.

VARVINDAR - in the next few weeks we are going to spend time combining note and language together as this seems to be the main problem. Oli said the sops sounded nice- this is something to bask in and treasure.
Our problem is slipping into triplets though when we did it again it sounded better.

MIKS - We are hmming rather then ahhing at the start. We still have a few problems with tuning at the start so think 'Amazing Grace'.

SLEEP - Great. More alto on the word 'Moon'

The we practised Hide and Seek in parts. There was a suggestion that we should actually play the game while we sang. Indeed I am sure there are plenty of wonderful hiding places in John and Susan's house. There was even the suggestion that we should up the ante and play Sardines. But I once broke a wardrobe playing that so we might leave that for the time being.

HIDE AND SEEK- remember to come off all notes as the rests are important. In bars 59 and 60 think is quavers. Oli said it was really good and we even looked at the dynamics of the first page. Wow!

NOTICES:

We are going to have to say no to Biggar this year.

We are rehearsing at Priestfield on 18th April, the day before the concert.

For the concert we should be at the Portrait Gallery by 5.15 if at all possible or as soon as we can if not. We'll be upstairs if anyone arrives late and can't find us.

Susan requested that WE BRING CONCERT CLOTHES NEXT WEEK to rehearsal so she can look over them.

Anne mentioned Gift Aid forms.

The AGM is on the 2nd May.

And with that I sign off. Enjoy your day.
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