All posts by Chris K

This Week’s Rehearsal

Lins Emails
Good morning to you all,
Just to let you know that we will be going through the whole of the programme for the Summer Spectacular this week, including the solos, in the correct order.
Also, in readiness for the autumn, Tony will be giving out the Christmas music this week so that you can have a listen to the new pieces before we start back on the 5th September.  I enclose a copy of the music we will be singing for Christmas as some of the pieces are from last year’s programme.
Regarding Saturday, the hall will be open from 9.00am, so can any of you be there to help set up the tables and chairs whilst a few of us will be the lock-up getting the equipment and china.
In respect to the cakes, for those of you who have indicated that they will be bringing some, can you make sure that they are there ready for 12.00 midday.
As to the actual concert, we all need to be there by 1.15pm so that we can have a warm up and sort out where we are sitting, as the doors open at 2.00pm, which should be enough time for us to sort ourselves out.
The following Thursday will be our AGM, and I will send out the papers for that at the beginning of next week.
Looking to the future, we have been contacted by John Lewis, in West Quay, to see if we would like to sing there in the run up to Christmas.  We don’t have any dates yet, but the Committee has agreed that it is something we could do like we did before the pandemic struck back in 2020.  Following on from this, I decided to contact Haskins, in West End, to see if it was possible to go and sing there like we did before, and I have had a response from them and they have given us some dates.  The Committee has decided to go for the 19th and 20th December, singing at 6.00pm, although we know that we are singing for the Dementia Support Group on the afternoon of both dates, but we felt it was an opportunity not to be missed. In the meantime, I will contact John Lewis and see what dates they have available.
Well, that’s all for now, so I will see you on Thursday.
Bye for now.
Eric
pdf icon Christmas-2024-Programme.pdf

St Johns Church 150th Anniversary Celebrations

Lins Emails
Hi there,
Here is a list of songs that Chris has selected for us to sing on Sunday afternoon at St Johns Church:-
Rhythm of Life
Java Jive (I’ll probably play a light accompaniment with it as we are down in numbers)
To Make You Feel My Love
A Million Dreams
Shenandoah
Someone to Watch Over Me
Viva La Vida

If Roy is there it might be nice to include his solo “This nearly was mine” as he is part of St. Johns.
We are programmed to start at 2.30pm, so if you could be there for 2.00pm so that we can get set up and into place ready for a 2.30pm start.
Regards
Eric

This Week’s Rehearsal and Forthcoming AGM

Lins Emails
Good evening to you all,
Firstly, this week we will be running through the programme for the Summer Spectacular, and we will have our normal break at 8.45, and finish at 9.45.
Secondly, I enclose a copy of the Agenda and Minutes of the Previous AGM ready for this year’s AGM which will be held on Thursday, 25th July at the Church Hall, at 7.30pm.
We are still looking for cake makers for the Summer Spectacular, so if you could put your name down on the list, it would be much appreciated.
Lastly, we have had a request from St Johns C of E Church, further up the road from the Methodist Church, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary, and have asked if our choir is available to come and sing at the celebration on Sunday, 21st July, somewhere between 1.30 and 2.00pm, for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.  Can you let me know asap if you are able to attend this event before we respond to them.
Well, that’s all for now, so I will see some of you at the L:ocal Vocals on Tuesday at Sunnycroft Residential Home, Moorgreen Road, at 1.45 for 2.00pm, or on Thursday at our rehearsal.
Bye for now.
Eric
pdf icon AGM-AGENDA-25-07-24.pdf
pdf icon NMM-AGM-2023-Minutes.pdf

This Week’s Rehearsal

Lins Emails
Hi there,
Just to let you know what’s happening this week.
We will be finishing again at 9.15pm so that we can audition the solos for the concert.
We are looking for two members of the choir who can stay behind and act as adjudicators for the solos as we have eight solos/duets/small groups, and only five places in the programme.
With regards to the Summer Spectacular, we need some cakes to feed the audience.  We are looking for either Victoria Sponge, Lemon Drizzle or Chocolate Fudge.  There will be list on the table as you come, so if you are able to make some, please put your name down for which ever one you can provide for us.
Just a reminder as to what we are wearing at the Summer Spectacular as some of you may not have read the previous emails or been to the rehearsals when we have spoken about it.
For the Ladies:- White Tops (not Vest Tops), Black Trousers, Black Hosiery and Black Shoes.  You can where whatever jewellery you want and can even wear a scarf or flower to brighten up your costume.
For the Men:- White Shirts, Black Trousers, Black Socks and Black Shoes.
Well, that’s all for now, so see you tomorrow night.
Bye for now.
Eric

Rehearsal – 13-6-24

Lins Emails
Hi there,
Just to let you know that we will be going through the same songs as we did last week together with songs from the rest of the programme for the Summer Spectacular.
This week we will be finishing the main rehearsal at 9.15pm, but we will not be stopping for a break, and once we have finished the main rehearsal, Chris will stay behind and rehearse the solos etc.
We have decided to drop Africa from the programme, so we will be starting with the Mamma Mia medley.
Well, that’s all for now, so I will see you on Thursday.
Bye for now.
Eric

What a lovely afternoon!

Lins Emails
Hi there,

Firstly, here’s a message from Lillian.
Dear New Music Makers,
Once again, I am reminded what a privilege it is to be conducting such a fine choir. Though the men’s section may look small, they certainly packed some power and the whole group sounded balanced on Saturday.
My husband remarked that although it may have sounded quieter than the village hall, it was in tune and he really enjoyed the concert. Among my children, they loved Java Jive!
Amelia’s mum, April, commented that the choir just keeps getting better and better each year. It was such a treat to hear Amelia play. She’s only ten years old! And she’s not only my violin student, but now also Chris’ piano student. I believe she’s preparing for a Grade 5 ABRSM exam on piano and it’s only her first year learning! Maybe next time she can play something on the piano for us, too.
I was as disappointed as you that I couldn’t sing for this concert. Maybe you’ll let me sing one song for the Summer Spectacular—The Distance from Hercules is a favourite of mine, and I’ve never had the chance to perform it!!
I’m looking forward to rehearsal on Thursday, we will be reviewing several new pieces for the Summer Spectacular, so come ready to sort out notes and rhythms again.
Well done, choir!
Lillian
I can only re-iterate what Lillian has said, and from the comments we have received from the rest of the audience, we did ourselves proud.

We were sold out in the end, which again is credit to you for selling the tickets, as any profit from our concerts go towards purchasing more music for our future programmes.

I would also like to thank everyone who stay behind and help clear up, it has never been done so quickly.

Now, moving on, I enclose a copy of the programme that we have put together for the Summer Spectacular on the 20th July 

As I have mentioned in the past, we will have four spots for solos etc and we would like to start rehearsing for them this week, so those of you who would like to try out, bring your music along with you on Thursday, and Chris will go through your piece with you during the interval, and then again next week, and the following week we will hold the audition for the four spots.

Well, that’s all for now, so I will either see you at Local vocals on Wednesday at Hamble Heights, or at rehearsal on Thursday.

bye for now.

Eric

pdf icon Summer-Spectacular-Programme-2024.pdf