Friday 24 October 2008
Sound Celebration Show
November 29th Sees us at the "Sound Celebration " show, which celebrates the first 5 years of the Major Oak Chorus.
Along with the Chorus itself, there are three quartets appearing. Special Blend, 4 Blokes Singin' and a ladies quartet from Nottingham, Blush.
The show is free but there is limited seating for 200 people.
A chance for people to enjoy quality singing for nowt.
Along with the Chorus itself, there are three quartets appearing. Special Blend, 4 Blokes Singin' and a ladies quartet from Nottingham, Blush.
The show is free but there is limited seating for 200 people.
A chance for people to enjoy quality singing for nowt.
Sunday 19 October 2008
Wedding Anniversaries
A wonderful evening at the Emerald Wedding Anniversary, surrounded by Dukes and Duchess's, Cruella De-ville (complete with baby dressed as puppy), Austin Powers, and Buddy Holly et al. (It was fancy dress). The quartet went as James Bond, A monk with a dirty habit, A confederate army officer (occifer later on!) and a gangster.
Colds mostly gone now (except mine), but we were helped by using the groups' microphones and amplifiers so we didn't have to project the sound quite as much as usual.
We also led a bit of community sea shanty singing (it was that kind of evening) so it was heave-ho me hearties and Maggie May down Lime Street - a bit of a departure for us, but highly enjoyable nonetheless!
A couple of the girls from Klea Vision ladies quartet were there so they joined us for the ever popular "Lion Sleeps Tonight" that we finished our set off with.
Our next appearance is a joint venture with our fellow quartet 4 Blokes Singin' at a WI meeting in Nottinghamshire, then it's noses to the grindstone to get our Christmas package up to performance standards. We are really excited by this package as it contains a couple of hauntingly beautiful arrangements - pity they can only be sung for a limited time each year, but hey ho - or should that be Ho Ho Ho (groan).
Colds mostly gone now (except mine), but we were helped by using the groups' microphones and amplifiers so we didn't have to project the sound quite as much as usual.
We also led a bit of community sea shanty singing (it was that kind of evening) so it was heave-ho me hearties and Maggie May down Lime Street - a bit of a departure for us, but highly enjoyable nonetheless!
A couple of the girls from Klea Vision ladies quartet were there so they joined us for the ever popular "Lion Sleeps Tonight" that we finished our set off with.
Our next appearance is a joint venture with our fellow quartet 4 Blokes Singin' at a WI meeting in Nottinghamshire, then it's noses to the grindstone to get our Christmas package up to performance standards. We are really excited by this package as it contains a couple of hauntingly beautiful arrangements - pity they can only be sung for a limited time each year, but hey ho - or should that be Ho Ho Ho (groan).
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Monday 13 October 2008
The day after the day
After a heart stopping moment when we nearly withdrew from the competition when three of us could hardly talk because of our colds, we decided that the show must go on and we competed as planned. Ironically, even though we were all singing at reduced levels and Rob our bass had virtually no voice at all, we finished midway in the rankings with a much improved sound score.
Unfortunately our colds cost us several places in the ranks and lots of marks, but given the circumstances we were reasonably happy with the result, and called at a pub for a de-brief.
On the way back home we were stopped by the police for a "routine check", but when they couldn't smell alcohol on my breath (as the des. driver, all I had drunk was diet coke) we were allowed home.
We've now got the rest of the week to recover before our next gig which is an emerald Wedding Anniversary, on Saturday next.
We've all told our wives that we need lots of TLC, and that man flu is the worst disease in the world, but for some reason they all laughed - funny, that!!
Unfortunately our colds cost us several places in the ranks and lots of marks, but given the circumstances we were reasonably happy with the result, and called at a pub for a de-brief.
On the way back home we were stopped by the police for a "routine check", but when they couldn't smell alcohol on my breath (as the des. driver, all I had drunk was diet coke) we were allowed home.
We've now got the rest of the week to recover before our next gig which is an emerald Wedding Anniversary, on Saturday next.
We've all told our wives that we need lots of TLC, and that man flu is the worst disease in the world, but for some reason they all laughed - funny, that!!
Saturday 11 October 2008
The day before the day
Not only do I have a cold, but Chris and Rob are also suffering! This practice was more like an episode of Holby City than a rehearsal. Still we are sounding pretty good even if I say it myself, and if we can hold it together for 6 minutes on stage without coughing, sneezing or snuffling we should be in with a good chance of qualifying for the semi- finals at Llandudno next year.
Our thanks go again to our beautiful Blendette Mandy who let us use her flat for this final rehearsal, and also to the wonderful members of the Major Oak Chorus who have supported us throughout. Big thanks also to 4 Blokes Singin', KLEA Vision Ladies Quartet, Rob Barber & Ellie Mills for their help, support and encouragement.
It's early to bed for me, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Our thanks go again to our beautiful Blendette Mandy who let us use her flat for this final rehearsal, and also to the wonderful members of the Major Oak Chorus who have supported us throughout. Big thanks also to 4 Blokes Singin', KLEA Vision Ladies Quartet, Rob Barber & Ellie Mills for their help, support and encouragement.
It's early to bed for me, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Thursday 9 October 2008
Nightmare
Arrrgghh!
What a time to catch Man Flu! Two days before the competition, and I'm coughing, sneezing and spluttering.
Another fortune spent on Day Nurse, Night Nurse, Hacks, Tunes, Brandy (that's the only good bit) and I'm hoping I'll be able to sing on Sunday at the competition.
Apart from my cold, I think we've done everything we can to prepare, so here's hoping!
What a time to catch Man Flu! Two days before the competition, and I'm coughing, sneezing and spluttering.
Another fortune spent on Day Nurse, Night Nurse, Hacks, Tunes, Brandy (that's the only good bit) and I'm hoping I'll be able to sing on Sunday at the competition.
Apart from my cold, I think we've done everything we can to prepare, so here's hoping!
Wednesday 1 October 2008
The singout enquiries are rolling in. Unfortunately, because of existing commitments we have to disappoint some people, but where we can sing, we will.
Maybe we ought to be called the Martini quartet..................
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
We are currently very excited about competing in the National Quartet Competition at Coventry in a couple of weeks. Traditionally we are a show quartet rather than a competition one, so we'll have to see how it turns out, but we hope all the extra hours of rehearsal and the excellent coaching we are receiving will help us through to the semi-final.
Maybe we ought to be called the Martini quartet..................
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
We are currently very excited about competing in the National Quartet Competition at Coventry in a couple of weeks. Traditionally we are a show quartet rather than a competition one, so we'll have to see how it turns out, but we hope all the extra hours of rehearsal and the excellent coaching we are receiving will help us through to the semi-final.
Yet More Coaching
Another Session with Rob Barber, and wow! The difference this guy is making to our sound is just amazing. Can't wait for next week, when we are hoping to rehearse with Rob, and the potential next Ladies World Champions Storm, who's next competition is in Hawaii - ours is in Coventry :-(
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