Lins Emails

Thursday’s Rehearsal

Hi there,
Here is a list of the songs that Chris wants to rehearse next Thursday:-
Conquest of Paradise
Bohemian Rhapsody 
Annie’s song
To make you feel my love
Old Macdonald Had a Farm
The Parting Glass
Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Regards
Eric

Next Thursday’s Rehearsal

Hi there,
Happy New year to you all, and I hope that you have gone down with this flue bug that is going around.
Here’s a message from our new MD regarding the rehearsal next week:-
Dear all,
I hope that you had a good Christmas and New Year and that you are looking forward to singing together again this coming Thursday!  We’ve got some great new music and we are bringing back some old favourites and I really want us to build on the excellent work that Lillian did with us as I take on the role of MD.
This week we will be practising the following –
Bohemian Rhapsody
Chattanooga Choo-Choo
Annie’s Song
The Music’s Always there with you
Shine
Circle of Life
Conquest of Paradise
Come what May
Tell me it’s not True 

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Chris
For those of you that sing for Local Vocals, don’t forget that we ae at Alcason House, Eastleigh on Tuesday afternoon, and if you have not already done so, can you let Eunice if you are available.
Well, that’s all for now, so I will see you either on Tuesday, or if not on Thursday, where we will be hearing our prospective new pianist, Kaziah, playing for us.
Bye for now.
Eric

Last Newsletter of the Year

Good morning to you all,
I thought I had better let you know that we have managed to raise £359.81 for our chosen charity “Southampton City Mission” with the collections at Bishops Waltham and Haskins, and the half of the profit from the raffles at our concerts.
Speaking of Haskins, there were a lot of comments on whether it was worthwhile doing the two events, but we have got our “foot back in the door”, and after speaking to the Restaurant Manager on Friday night, who thought that the small number of us (14) had made an excellent job of the singing, he would be very happy for us to go back next year on two Sundays before Christmas, as we did before covid, during the lunchtime, and sing in the restaurant. So some good has come out of doing the two events.

What a success our own concerts were, and I have heard many comments that it was the best we have sung, so congratulations to you all for a very good performance, and many thanks for all those who can to help set up and pack away afterwards, its was greatly appreciated.

Well, we ended the year on a high, and we start the new year on the 9th January with a new Musical Director, Chris, and we will have a prospective new pianist joining us that evening. The pianist’s name is Keziah Jacomb, and she comes from Vietnam, but is in England looking after her elderly parents.  She had studied music at Southampton University, and played for the Chantrell Singers under Marianne Templeman, who used to be our Musical Director.  She went back to Vietnam for a while, but is now back in this country and wishes to get involved with a choir again. When asked if she would like some music so that she could practice before coming to our rehearsal, she replied that she would be able to sight read the music!

Well, that’s all I have for now, other than to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Bye for now.

Eric

Songs for Haskins

Hi there,
Just in case you missed the email sent out last week, here is a the list of songs that we will be singing at Haskins on Thursday and Friday.
We have the words already printed, but if you want o bring your music that you already have so the you can sing the harmonies, then your more than welcome to bring them.
See you there.
Regards
Eric

Last Email from Lillian

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

Haskins Singing

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

This Week’s Rehearsal

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

NMM Collections

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

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