Wedding 7th May. The New Music Makers were asked to sing at a wedding in Chandlers Ford. The ladies of the choir enjoy singing at weddings as they get to see, from a good seating position, the wedding ceremony first hand and also what the latest wedding fashions are.  The men come mainly under sufferance and to enable us to achieve a balanced sound.

We can offer suggestions for music to be sung before the service, during the signing of the register and to accompany the newly married couple as they leave the ceremony.

A few months ago, Lin, Sarah, Louise and Jenny recorded a programme of Songs of Praise for the BBC at The New Community Church Southampton.

The first week they practised the songs with around 150 other singers, with direction from the conductor. It was interesting to be instructed how to ‘perform’ for filming – no looking directly at the cameras, having a joyful expression and conveying visually and musically the meaning of the songs.

The second week recording took place, the process of which was truly engrossing. Each song was sung twice and if required, a few bars were re- recorded for the mixing crew to blend in. The conductor directed  voice warm up exercises before recording, many of which were familiar from choir and the words were projected on a large screen with the accompanying band playing from the stage.

There were only 3 cameras, one on a boom for wide angle shots, one on a track for closeups and a hand held one for filming from all positions. Several takes were done so as to mix up the filming angles to give the impression that there were more cameras than there really were.  Obviously a BBC Cutback! Everything was relayed to a huge mobile studio parked outside the church and the conductor had 2 ways to talk to the Producer – one through a headphone mic , which everyone could hear and another which was an old WWII type field ‘phone which ensured a private conversation – obviously so the Producer could tell the Conductor ‘to get the old dear in the second row to smile etc!

After 3 hours, with no loo stops and minimal time to sit down, everything was ‘in the can’  as they say.  Ultimately it was a really interesting experience and despite not knowing any of the songs initially, we had them ringing in our heads as we left.

An evening to be proud of.

The hall was decorated in the style of a street party. Red, white and blue bunting, together with Union Jack’s and ribbons everywhere. Even the table decorations carried on the theme. It was certainly a splendid sight.

The Mayor of Eastleigh, Jane Welsh, had organised an Old Time Music Hall evening with fish and chip supper, and the New Music Makers provided the entertainment.

In true “The Good Old Days “ style the master of ceremonies wielded his gavel – making us jump nearly every time – and introduced each item with well written rhetoric and enthusiasm. Beau Regarde (Chris Kellaway) stepped in to the breach at the eleventh hour when the original MC was taken ill. Fortunately Tom Rodaway had done a lot of work on the introductions which made the task for “Beau” easier.

We had solos and duets full of laughter, pathos, decadence, debauchery and even forgetfulness, all splendidly performed by a cast with such names as Carmen Verandah, Buttercup Meadows, Abi Downton and Third Officer Aloysius Pickles, to mention but a few.

At the start of the second half several members of the choir joined the cast on stage to perform ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ and a medley called ‘Old Time Religion’ and these were received with much appreciation from the audience.

The accompanist, Mr Ivor E Tinkler (Chris Allison) ably assisted by his daughter kept everything flowing on time and in tune.

Costumes were mainly provided by Lin Kellaway although some people were in “home-grown’ but generally everyone entered into the spirit of the evening.

A sum of over £600.00 was raised for the Mayor’ three charities and Jane was absolutely delighted with the efforts of Lin in putting the evening together, arranging for the bunting and decorations and for organising the team for the decorating of the hall.

Mention must, however, be made of the audience who were fabulous, joining in with the singing and responding with the “oooh’s” and “aaah’s” in all the right places. The singing of “Land of Hope and Glory” accompanied by much waving of the Union Jack, brought the evening to a fabulous conclusion.