All posts by Chris K

Last Email from Lillian

Lins Emails

Hello Wonderful New Music Makers,
I am so proud of you for performing so beautifully at Saturday’s Christmas Concerts! It is evident to me, and I believe to many of the audience members, that your performance was a culmination of years and years of hard work to improve as individual singers as well as a choir. I felt the emotion behind each song and saw it in your faces as you sang. Your tone, vowel sounds, intonation, pitch, and rhythmic accuracy were a joy to listen to. What a marvellous experience that I don’t believe I will have again.
I received so many comments from audience members as well as from Felipe that you sounded your best ever. What a way to end my 9-year-long career with you! 
Thank you so much for the precious going-away present. It was so thoughtfully chosen and I will remember you all when I wear the Swarovski bracelet and when I put flowers in the inscribed glass vase. Most importantly, I thank you for the experience of making music together and developing friendships along the way. You represented the finest of British people and my time with the New Music Makers was an immense pleasure.
Good luck to you all as I leave England, and all the best to Chris as he takes over. You’re in great hands, and I look forward to hearing and seeing updates from time to time.
I’ve attached a copy of my Christmas Letter, please do share with the choir and past members, too.
All the best,
Lillian
PS – I look forward to seeing some of you at the Handel’s Messiah Singalong Concert on Friday 27 December at 6pm, Botley Market Hall. You can book your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/handels-messiah-singalong-concert-tickets-1049508778007?aff=oddtdtcreator
We will be singing 5 choir songs for audience participation:
4. And the glory of the Lord
12. For unto us a child is born
17. Glory to God
37. The Lord gave the Word
44. Hallelujah Chorus
53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

You can learn your parts on this YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@Chord-Perfect/playlists
Soprano Part – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa3ZBVWX19VMO7H_PPCq_jD0TTa-jkWBP&si=vZpEXmQ7k1Ly7D0V
Alto Part – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa3ZBVWX19VN-W9401lwPSruikVPrsKSx&si=Wnrq2VEdOQpW_1fr
Tenor Part – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa3ZBVWX19VO1HvejJUbAbUyCDVtuV833&si=b1MUtY3-UunWFvdV
Bass Part – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa3ZBVWX19VMe9zDT-tmhF2UbutBio_ax&si=L8Dz04oNnPgGHkf0

pdf icon Sediles-Christmas-Letter-2024.pdf

Haskins Singing

Lins Emails
Hi there,
There have been some questions as to what we are going to sing at Haskins next Thursday and Friday evening.
We will be singing the same songs that we sing at Local Vocals, and I enclose a full copy of the lyrics for you, but you do not have to print them out as we already have copies printed.
Most of the songs are sung in melody, but we have been singing the carols and the songs from our current Christmas concert in harmony, so if you want to bring your carol sheets along, then that’s fine with us.
All the songs are in the “Local Vocal” section on the website in case you are not familiar with any of them.
We have had a positive response from our singing last night at John Lewis.  Julie, the Events Co-Ordinator for John Lewis, informed me after we had sang, that they have lots of choirs, but not many are asked to come back, but we can go back anytime we like, and she definitely wants us back next Christmas. We are also thinking of going over there sometime before our summer concert to help promote ourselves, so well done everyone who turned up last night, and Chris was very happy with the result.
Well, that’s all for now, so I will see you tonight at rehearsal.
Bye for now.
Eric
doc icon Xmas-Songs-2024.docx

This Week’s Rehearsal

Lins Emails
Hi there,
Just to remind you that we are running through the complete programme for the Christmas concert this week and next week with all the solos etc.
In case you have misplaced your copy of the programme, I enclose a copy for you.
With regards to singing at John Lewis next Wednesday, we need to be there for 6.45 ready to start singing at 7.00.  We will be singing on Level 3 – Ladies and Children’s Wear, and we will be singing towards the atrium.  the costume will be Gold Tops for the ladies and White Shirts and Gold Bowties for the men, with all of us wearing black trousers, socks and shoes.
Bye for now.
Eric
pdf icon Christmas-2024-Programme-Final.pdf

NMM Collections

Lins Emails
Hi there,
I have been asked to remind members that it is the last day to make any donations for either the raffle prizes or Lillian’s present.
If you wish to make a donation, can you put through the bank account, and reference it either as “Raffle” or “Lillian”.
On another note, following the singing we did at Bishops Waltham last night, Chris and I have decided that we are going to drop “Santa will find me” and “Sending you a little Christmas” for the singing at John Lewis, and we are going to add “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”. “Jingle Bells” can be found in the 100 Carols for Choirs book at no. 17 on page 73, and I will print off the words for Rudolph ready for next week.
Bye for now.
Eric

Rehearsal plan for Thursday

Lins Emails
Hi there,

Here is a message from Lillian regarding the rehearsal plan for Thursday:-
Hi all,

Here’s the plan for this Thursday:

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Candlelight Carol
The First Noel/Pachelbel
AUDIENCE: In the Bleak Midwinter
SOLO: Liz Kemp – Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
I believe in Father Christmas
Santa Will Find You
Sending You a Little Christmas
SOLO: Ladies’ Group – Holiday Tango
AUDIENCE: Hark the Herald 
O holy night
Merry Christmas, Everyone!

There are only two more rehearsals after this week, which we will be joined by Amelia to run through her violin part 🙂

See you Thursday,
Lillian
Can I remind those of you who are going to Bishops Waltham on Thursday, that we will be meeting at the Methodist church at 4.45, and to have the RED tinsel on your folders.

Bye for now.

Eric

Singing at Bishops Waltham

Lins Emails
Hi there,
Here are the final details for when we sing at Bishops Waltham.
We have decided it would be better to meet at the Methodist church at 4.45pm, which will give us more time to get to Bishops Waltham, find somewhere to park and then walk to Costa Coffee, in the square, where we have arranged to meet there at 5.30pm.  It is also where we will be singing. If you require a lift, can you let me know and I will see what I can arrange for you.
Can you make sure that you bring your concert folders and the RED tinsel.  I will have spare folders with me on Thursday, and Gen will have spare Red tinsel for those of you who do not have a folder or tinsel.  Don’t forget that for the ladies, you should have your grey poncho and tartan scarf, and the men should have your tartan scarf.
At the moment the weather is look fine but cold, so make sure you wrap up warm and have your Christmas hat to put on.
With regards to our Christmas concerts, Eunice has requested that if you have anymore prizes for the raffle, can you please bring them this Thursday to the rehearsal, as any gifts after that will not be able to make the prize table.
I can’t think of anything else, so I will see some of you at Local vocals on Tuesday, at Florence Court, Segensworth, or on Thursday at Bishops Waltham or our rehearsal after.
Bye for now.
Eric