All posts by Chris K

New Music Makers Newsletter

Lins Emails
Hi there,

Well, I hope you have all enjoyed the lovely summer we have had, and managed to get away somewhere nice.
Most of you will know that Lin stepped down as Chairman of the choir, and I was duly elected to take her place.  I know that that is going to be a hard act to follow, so you must bear with me until I get my feet under the table.  Lin and Chris dedicated a lot their time and effort to the choir, which we are truly grateful for, and we wish them well as they travel in their motor home across the country and behind, but we are happy that Lin will still remain a member of the choir.
We now have a plan for the Autumn Season.  The Music Committee have met and have agreed the following for our Christmas Concerts:-
Carried Forward from Last Year

Carol of the Bells
Do you Hear What I Hear
Follow the Star
Jingle Bell Rock
Little Drummer Boy
Sing We Now of Christmas
Still, Still, Still
The Most wonderful Time of the Year
From the 100 Carol Book

Wexford Carol (No. 21)
Hark the Herald Angles Sing (No. 23)
Away in a Manger (No. 13)
O Come All Ye Faithful (No. 54)
Once in Royal David city (No. 61)
New

Grown Up Christmas List
Last Christmas
This Christmas
White Winter Hymnal
Tidings of Comfort and Joy (small number)
We are in the process of purchasing the new music, and once we have it, Jerry will put it on the One Drive so that you can practice.
We will be starting back on Thursday, 8th September, and the following four weeks, we will be doing Sectionals.
Lillian will be back, and Chris will be conducting four of the songs in the concerts.
We have had a number of requests for us to sing at various functions in the lead up to Christmas, so I give below a list of dates:
26th November – Hedge End Methodist Church – 7.30pm
1st December – Hedge End Macular Society, at Hedge End URC – 1.30pm – Festive refreshments provided
10th December – Christmas Concerts at Hedge End Village Hall – performances at 2.30 and 7.00pm.
13th December – Halo Club at KCC – afternoon – considering wearing Victorian costumes
17th December – Carol Concert at Royal Victoria Country Park – time to be confirmed
21st December – Fareham Towns Women Guild – St Johns Church, Fareham – 2.15pm
Can you let me know if you are available for any of the above.
Now that Chris Kellaway has stepped down from his role Audio Technician at our concerts, we are looking for help in this matter, so if you know of anyone who will be willing to help, then please let me know.
We will also be holding a Beetle Drive/Quiz Night on the 1st October, at Hedge End Village Hall, at 7.30pm.  There will be refreshments provided, but you will need to bring your own drinks.  We are hoping to provide a Ploughmans, and once we have priced up the ingredients, we will let you know the cost of a ticket, but please put the date into your diary.
We have also been looking at resurrecting the Local Vocals, and we are contacting the various Nursing Homes etc to see what the situation is regarding restrictions, but it would be helpful if you could let me know how many would be willing to come and sing, if we are allowed back into the homes.
At the AGM held at the end of July, it was agreed that we would increase the Members Subscriptions from £14 per month to £16, starting in September, so I am requesting that you all change the Standing Order that you pay the choir as soon as possible.
The last thing that I have is to remind you that if you are feeling unwell, please do not attend the rehearsals, and you can join in via Zoom, which we will broadcast each week, as we have done for the past two years.
Well, that’s all for now, and sorry that it has been a long email, but we have had a lot to get through during the Summer holidays.
See you all next week.
Eric

Sorry to Say we have some More Covid Cases

Lins Emails
Hi All
Sorry to report that some more of the choir members have gone down with Covid. Tony, Keith, and Tom.
As it seems quite rife at the moment apparently 1 in 12 it seems you are quite lucky if you have not caught it.
In view of this it has been decided to have the AGM on Zoom. I will send out all of the relevant Reports and last years minutes etc over the next two days in time for the meeting.
Hope everyone is feeling ok.
Lin

Sorry Covid Aware

Lins Emails
Hi All
I have had a message from Beckie Bull to say she is really very sorry but she tested positive on Sunday night for Covid. Just want to make you all aware.
You may have noticed that Rosie was not at the Concert she tested positive on Friday.
It seems to be all around, I hope you both are not too poorly with it and everyone else stays clear.
Lin

Summer Spectacular Success

Lins Emails

Hi Everyone

I hope everyone enjoyed my birthday as much as I did!  What a lovely way to spend it doing one of my favourite things with so many lovely people.  Thank you for my beautiful flowers and having over a hundred people singing Happy Birthday was really special, and thank you Tom for your kind words.  I had a lovely evening Chris and I went to the River Rat in Hamble and they had a cancellation and we were offered the dining pod not normally available for just two people so it made me feel very special, the icing on the cake was we even managed to get an Uber home a rare thing in Hamble otherwise we would have had to walk.  All in all a perfect day.  

Ok it wasn’t just my birthday 😊.  What  a wonderful joyous Concert we put on for so many satisfied customers I only had good comments from everyone that I spoke to.  We certainly pulled it all together and you could tell that we were all enjoying it.  I thought the solos were a great mixture something for everyone and were all brilliant, even if Jerry did make people cry.  (In a good way).

Thanks Chris for making us all smile and keeping us all in check and thank you for being patient with us during rehearsals I think it certainly paid off and you have done a wonderful job during Lillian’s absence.  It was lovely having Sophie back she gives us so much confidence that nothing could go wrong just like when you are playing. 

Thanks to all of the choir members and partners that helped (I wont mention individules for fear that I miss someone) in the morning setting up and for everyone that stayed behind to help clear away.  When I looked round I felt sure that we would not manage to do it in 1 hour and 15mins but we did with  5 minutes to spare.  The Caretaker was almost pleased!  You all worked your socks off thank you so much what a team.
Chris has sent this message
Well done everyone! Who said you can’t do a good rehearsal and follow it with a really good concert too! Great atmosphere this afternoon. Heard lots of positive comments including someone asked if they could have a signed photo of us 😂 I thought it sounded really good. Super proud of everyone!
Lillian has sent this message
Congratulations on the Summer Spectacular
Sorry I had to leave a bit early. It was so nice to see the choir perform and the soloists were excellent! Bravissimo to all! 

I’ll share the photos when they are edited. Looking forward to be back in September.

And here is the link to the photographs.  Thanks Lillian
See you at the AGM
Lin 

Last Email

Lins Emails
Hi
Just to let you know I thought I was only sending the Programme but they all went from my Chris’s original email. Also Chris Allison has two LL’s and its Singin’ have changed Maggie’s Musical to the right one!
It will be all right on the night or afternoon!
Lin

Summer Spectacular Bits

Lins Emails
Hi All
There are a few tickets left for the performance, if you would like any of them could you let us know asap as Sarah is doing a table plan.
I am assuming that everyone who hasn’t told me that they are not coming is attending the Concert, we need to know for a seating plan. So if you have been attending choir we am assuming that you will be attending.
On A Clear Day has been taken out of the programme. We will be running through the whole of the programme in order on Thursday adding in the soloist. Anyone who has not managed to go through their solo with Chris could you please come to rehearsal early before the rehearsal starts please.
Uniform – we will be wearing the same as we wore for the Golden Concert. But we have made a decision that you can wear appropriate proper sandals if you would prefer. So what is appropriate? Gold or Black would be great, and anything neutral in colour – no red green etc. Please remember that you have to stand and walk in them so men no high heels!
Normal black trouser ladies. Men if you have a short sleeved black shirt that would be acceptable with your black trousers and you don’t have to wear your jackets!!!
There are a few of you who have not had gold bow ties and I will try and remember those on Thursday.
Raffle Prizes – if you still have a Raffle Prize could you please bring it on Thursday it will be too late to bring it in on Saturday. Thanks
Cakes – Obviously we will need those on Saturday could you pop them into the Village Hall in the morning to give everyone time sort them out. If they need slicing it would be appreciated if you could do that before hand. As there are no fridges could we not have fresh cream in them or anything that will melt. Hopefully it will not be as hot as today but it still will be warm. All help much appreciated on Saturday morning from 9.00am. And as much help at the end to put chairs, tables away, etc etc as we have to vacate as it is booked after us.
It’s going to be a great day so lets all have a lovely time and keep smiling.
Lin

Summer Spectacular

Lins Emails
Hi Folk
Back to choir for two more rehearsals before the Summer Spectacular.
Just a few requests. RAFFLE PRIZES. We will be having a raffle and if anyone has some nice prizes that could be included we would be very grateful if you could either bring them this Thursday of next. If they are brought on the day it does make it complicated as the list has already be produced and is difficult to add them.
We will need lots of help to set up before the Concert, Tables Chairs, choir chairs, laying tables, crockery, cutlery, sorting cakes, decorations, etc etc
We will also need help afterwards, washing up, sorting the crockery, chairs away, etc etc. We have an added problem as there are hirers in after us and we need to be out by 6.00pm.
If there is anyone available to collect equipment etc from the lock up on the Friday before and return it on the Sunday that would be appreciated.
If there are any partners who could help front of house, in the Kitchen, with the raffle then please let us now.
There are still a few tickets available if you know anyone that would like to attend let Eric know.
Thanks everyone really appreciate any help see you Thursday.
Lin

Fwd: Cakes List

Lins Emails
Hi All
Cakes Please
{CAPTION}

Maureen has asked me to remind you about the cakes for the Summer Spectacular. Some of you have already added your names to the original list but for those not attending at the moment or haven’t done so yet perhaps you can let Maureen know what cakes you would like to make for the Refreshments at the Summer Spectacular.
Thanks
> >
>

pdf icon Cakes-List.pdf

Fwd: AGM – Committee

Lins Emails
Hi All
Rebecca Williams emailed me to ask what is expected from the different roles of the Committee and she suggested that I send the reply to the rest of the choir members.
Thanks Rebecca
Lin

It is in the Constitution and Rules of the Choir what the roles do. The Vice Chairman  was only added recently but their role is to assist the chairman and to step in when the Chairman is unavailable. 

ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman

  1. Will represent the group at any event or meeting where a representative is invited or desirable.
  2. Will chair the AGM and General Meetings. He/She may be called upon to make a casting vote when necessary.
  3. Will chair committee meetings and enter into discussions as a full committee member.

Secretary

  1. Will take and keep minutes of all Committee meetings.
  2. Will be responsible for publishing Committee reports and minutes.
  3. Will deal with all correspondence in accordance with Committee’s wishes.
  4. Will keep an up-to-date membership list.
  5. Will be a full Committee member and be able to speak and vote as other Committee members.

Treasurer

  1. Will keep accounts and be responsible for all money.
  2. Will collect subscriptions.
  3. Will be responsible for all insurances.
  4. Will prepare and present financial reports for General Meetings.

Committee Members

  1. Will assist the officers of the Committee in administration and decision making.
  2. Will endeavour to represent the members’ views to the Committee and vice-versa.

All Committee members will be expected to assist in organising and co-ordinating social events and fund-raising when necessary.  These items to also include as many members of the group as are willing or available.

Any Committee member absent for three consecutive business meetings without justified apologies will be considered to have resigned.

MUSIC COMMITTEE

The music committee will be made up the Chairman, Musical Director, Assistant Musical Director, Music Librarian and one representative elected by each singing part, i.e. Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. The representative does not have to be a member of the part he or she represents. A pianist should be invited, as usually pieces of music need to be played to be evaluated by the committee. It is envisaged that the Music Committee would meet at least twice a year but more meetings can be called as required.

The music committee is responsible for choosing what songs the choir sings. The main committee with the Musical Director is responsible for putting the concert programmes together and the choice of any concert partners.

Lin

All The Best

Lin