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.

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).

On Stage in Coventry, 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!!

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.

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!

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.

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 :-(

Coaching (2)

Many thanks to Ellie Mills for a very enjoyable and instructive coaching session in an industrial unit "somewhere in Nottingham".

The brilliant thing about rehearsing there is that we have a full stage environment, and of course, as it is a large space, a totally different sound. Ellie had us practising our stage craft and helped us immensely with several other aspects of our visual performance techniques.

Many many thanks Ellie, and of course good luck with your transatlantic quartet Luminous.

Coaching

We're still reeling from our first coaching session with Rob Barber, one of the finest (and most entertaining) coaches the association has.

After a very enjoyable session, we went down to the local pub and sang a couple of songs - the response was absolutely overwhelming, with comments like " The best you have ever sung", and "expanded sound", and "it's your round!"

We can't wait for more of the same.

Newark Wedding

Just got back from another wedding - two weddings in two days - Pheww!!

This one was at Claypole near Newark.

We sang in the Church at this one, while the bride and groom signed the register. A lovely service, then on to the reception at Norton Disney where we entertained the guests until it was time for the wedding breakfast.

Once again, as is fast becoming a tradition for the quartet, we sang "The Story Of The Rose" to the bride(Kim) on behalf of her new husband (John).

Kim and John had the photographer take pictures of us so I suppose we'll be enshrined in their wedding album for all time - fame at last.

As we were leaving, several of the guests took the time to come over and compliment us on our performances, which is always nice.

We love singing at weddings!

Foxton Wedding

A superb day at David and Georgina's wedding reception, held in a marquee and surrounding field about a mile from Gartree prison. Luckily the weather was very kind and we entertained the guests, an eclectic party of 250 people, whilst they enjoyed champagne and sack racing (never seen that before at a wedding)!

A special mention must go to the party of French guests who just couldn't get enough of us, and the lovely lady who gave the whole quartet the traditional French kisses!!

When the wedding party were finally seated, we sang the beautiful "Story Of The Rose" to the equally beautiful bride, which was a fitting end to a marvellous day.