There has been a slight change  to the programme in that they have changed ‘This is Me’ and ‘From Now On’ around.

They have also changed the order of the rehearsal which does give us less time in between the rehearsal and Concert.

I have been in touch with Greg and said that some people were going to try and grab something to eat in between and he has come back with a bit of a compromise 

“Yes, can definitely leave at 17:05, if not before. What I might try and do is slip You’ll Never Walk Alone in a little earlier – if the choir can run it, and are happy with it, we can run it later on with just Mehreen, the soloist, and the choirs can leave at 16:10ish…! Can’t promise but will aim for that… “

So no promises but we should have a bit more time in between.  I am glad I didn’t have to organise it with all of the different groups joining in.

We are able to stay a the Theatre if we want and watch the rehearsal and  if people want to take a packed tea. 

There will be secure dressing rooms for changing into performance clothes, not sure how they will be organising that but have said that we are a mixed voice choir.  We may have to share with another choir?

I asked how we get in:-

You will need to arrive via stage door which is just off Empire Lane, a short walk round from the main entrance.

There is a multi-story car park round the corner from the theatre which the address is:

West Park
West Park Road
Southampton
SO15 1DQ

I did ask about LFT testing 

With regards to testing, we would say the same, if someone is displaying symptoms or has tested positive then not to come in. The mayflower haven’t asked us for LFT as it’s not in government guidelines however if its probably not a bad idea.

Just a reminder again about what to wear for the performance – all black please make sure you have closed in back shoes.  I have no idea if it will be chilly on stage but if you bring black jackets/cardigans we can probably gauge by in the afternoon if we think we will need them.

There are water stations at the Mayflower for performers, to reduce plastic they ask that performers take their own water bottles to fill out through the day/evening.

At the moment I can’t think of anything else apart from our rehearsal on Saturday at 3.30pm at the Methodist and it will be in the Church but will probably let you in through the side door??  If you can’t get in go through the front.

Remember we are working from their music  which I have sent you a link for if anyone is having difficulty in printing it let Eric know and he has very kindly offered to print it off.  You need to check which choir you are in 1 or 2 

Below is the schedule for Arriving Times for the rehearsal.  What Times and what we are rehearsing and what time we should get to the Mayflower for the Concert.

Attached is the programme I have reduced it to one page so you can print off to put in you BLACK folders.

14.30 – Be seated on stage ready to start rehearsal

Latest 6.30 Return to Theatre

Seating on Stage 6.50/6.55

Curtains Up 7.00 pm

Hi All

Chris has looked at the Mayflower music and information and has come up with the following

We need to split the choir in two for the two songs for the greatest showman.  

CHOIR 1

SOPS 

Jane Courtenay Ann Lee, Lin Kellaway, Liz Kemp, Elaine Walter

ALTO

Maggie Jacobs, Gen Marsh, Rosie Adams, Margaret Ballard, Gilly Jeffrey, Vanessa Wilkinson

MEN

Jerry Gamble, Steve Marsh, Cliff Jacobs, Pete Blake

CHOIR 2

SOPS

Beckie Bull, Rebecca Williams, Eileen Eyers, Sarah Turl, Beccy Coppen, Marg Dunne

ALTO

Beryl Gerrey, Maureen Pay, Margaret Whale, Sharon Thomas, Eunice Deuchar, Ellie Best.

MEN

Percy Knight, Terry Harland, Keith Henry, Eric Gerrey

In FROM NOW ON and THIS IS US a lot is in unison.  There are a few moments where there are 3 way splits.  Sop 1 and Tenors take the top notes, Sop 2 and Bass 1 take the middle notes, Alto and Bass 2 take the lowest notes.

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE:  It’s not quite clear how they are going to do this so be prepared for things to change but from what they’ve sent I assume all of choir 2 sing the tenor line.  Choir 1 should be sop 1 (and tenors) on the top notes, Sop 2 and Bass 1 on the middle notes and Alto and Bass 2 take the lowest notes. 

SAILING: All on the melody

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: All on the Melody

RULE BRITANNIA and LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY – all on the Melody

ETERNAL FATHER: I will teach the 4 part harmony in the rehearsal but in their notes they have said if people don’t feel confident with this it’s fine to stick on the melody

NATIONAL ANTHEM – All on the tune. – 1st Verse only

This is the link for the words if you have not already printed them off.  You will only have to print for the Choir you are in as above.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16Pmg3pvS4J5WpIeh3es45WXssHUm5Cpm?usp=sharing

Jerry has very kindly done all of the harmonies on learning files on our members website page.  Try and have a look at them before our rehearsal on Saturday at the Methodist Church at 3.30pm.

I am not sure that I will be able to help you with any questions but I may be able to pass them on to someone who does!

Lin

Hi All

Yes that’s me Lin

We only have four rehearsals before the most important, monumental  Concert  that the New Music Makers have ever put on.  

The songs that we sang last night will more than likely be the running order for the Concert. We will be adding Solos and other items to the programme.  We have taken out  – On A Clear Day- I’d Like to Teach The World – A Clare Benediction – Bond (keeping Skyfall)  – Memories.  

We sang through each piece that was left once last night which means that we will probably only have the chance to sing through them all four more times at a rehearsal! That is very scary to say the least.  I do realise that we are having health issues and people are not able to attend but we do have zoom and you can at least sing along and learn any dynamics and timings that Chris is putting in place it will help when you can eventually return.  Most rehearsals have been recorded and you can go to the members webpage and you will find them under ‘online rehearsals’.

We all need to practise at home as well before rehearsals, again – go to the members webpage – go to the link to get the practice files in OneDrive in your voice.

We have to be fair to Chris and put as much time and homework in to help him as much as we can. He is doing an amazing job taking over from Lillian at such a late stage, working with a new pianist and the reduced choir members attending rehearsals, so lets all do our best to make it easier for him.  

We are going to have to do things a bit different this year. First we have always sung the summer Concerts without music and the aim is for us to sing as many as we can without music because the sound and concentration is so much better. But the newest  members can be excluded from this and if need be can use their copies.  And anyone who is really struggling do as many as you can without the books. The other one was that if you didn’t come to the last three rehearsals before a Concert then you were not allowed to attend the Performance, BUT  again due to Covid, Colds etc we will have to forgo this but please try to avoid missing any rehearsals for any other reason.

NEW GOLD PROGRAMME

Gold  – Opening number without words but needs a lot of work on timing!*

Joseph – With words

I Believe/Ave Maria – without words

Can Can – without words

Sky Fall – would be best without words to save picking up music

A Million Dreams – without words

Pinball Wizard – without words

You Raise Me Up – without words*

INTERVAL

Les Mis Medley plus Bring Hime Home Do You Hear the People Sing – with words but I am sure we all know the last two songs!

Cantate Domino – preferably without words

Fields Of Gold – without words

One Moment In Time – with words if necessary

Why We Sing –  with words

Sweet Caroline  – without words* 

• Would be great if everyone could do these without words.

Please bring these pieces of music with you every week.  Next week we will go through the whole programme again but will focus on Gold and some of the endings.

Chairman hat off now, we can do this it will come together and at least we will be singing and have a good time.

Keep Smiling 😊 

Lin

Have a great rehearsal.