Hi All

Hope everyone is safe and well and enjoying the marvellous weather, although to be fair the garden and my water butts could do with some rain, we only had a thimble full the other day where as I believe it rained quite a lot in Hedge End.  But lets only have it at night please.

We have one birthday this week Gen Marsh is on the 2nd June, I am sure you will have a great day despite the lock down. Gen is an Alto and has been with the choir for quite a few years.

Our Resident Poet has been at it again.  Roy has written us a song this time:-

A lockdown lament 

‘WE SHALL SING AGAIN’ (copyright!)

to be sung to the tune of Danny Boy  (not too slowly)

This desperate time.. while Covid still is wi-th us,

and vic-tory.. seems very far away..

yet deep inside.. we know that we shall sing again

and we look for-ward to that wonderous day.

Let souls and voi-ces waft toward the hea-vens

in triumph, know that we shall overcome..

yes, we shall sing – again when Covid’s beaten.

And at that ti-me.., we’ll sing again as one.

But we are sa…d, we cannot have our summer show..

to cel-e-brate our fifty years of song..

The 8^th of June.., like other days will come and go..

but in our hearts.. we’ll sing again, erelong.

Those times will come.. when once more we shall sing again

with hearts and vo-ices tuned, and thus renewed.

Our mel-o-dies, some old, some new resounding

Those joyful so-ngs.., with which we are imbued…

Let sadness flee.. – for yes, we all shall sing again.

Our sounds will soar… to heights yet unexplor-ed..

The au-di-ence will shout, and clap enra-ptured

the N M M – now once again restored. 

So don’t despair.. those Thursday nights could soon be here

friends old and new.. we’ll greet with smiles and tears

a future, glo-rious lays itself before us

and we shall sing again for many happy years.

In popular music, a verse roughly corresponds to a poetic stanza because it consists of rhyming lyrics most often with an AABB or ABAB rhyme scheme. Hence the word TIME in verse two and SONGS inA verse four should be pronounced in a similar way to the word TUNE or TOOONE; ie TI,IIME or SO,OONGS – get it?. I think I’m going crazy???!!! (not really) Keep safe everybody. Love and God Bless from Roy XX

Well done Roy.   It would be lovely to hear you sing it perhaps you can record it for us. Don’t ask ME how?

I have a quiz for you.  Anyone that knows me will no that it is not my work.  But I did think it was quite interesting.  I will send you the answers after the Zoom Meeting.

QUIZ – QUIZ – QUIZ

MESSIAH AT HOME

See how many questions you can get right!

 1. A performance of Handel’s “Messiah” lasts about 2 1/2 hours. Amazingly, Handel composed the entire oratorio in only:

a.47 days   b.3 months   c.24 days   d.1 week

2. Until Wagner’s work in the 19th century, virtually all opera and oratorio texts were written by someone other than the composer. For “Messiah”, Handel set to music the text selected by this man.

a.Antonio Vivaldi    b.Moliere   c.John Milton  d.Charles Jennens

3. “Messiah” is presented in three parts. Part I (the Christmas portion) starts with the prophecy and coming of Christ. Part II (the Easter portion) describes the passion and death of Christ. What is the theme of Part III?

a.Persecution of the early church  b. Promise of eternal life for believers  c.Paul’s travels  d. Acts of faith by early believers

4. Throughout his life, Handel refused to accept any money from the performances of “Messiah”. He refused because:

a. He wanted the performers to get all the proceeds  b.He wanted the librettest to get the money  c.He felt that he did not deserve it  d. He wanted the money to go to the Church

5. Although they never met, Handel and Bach are both giants of Baroque music. Handel’s oratorios have more changes in texture than those of Bach and the ____________ is more prominently featured in Handelian oratorios.

a. orchestra b.cambiata  c.actor  d.chorus

6. Typical Baroque musical idioms are used by Handel throughout “Messiah”. These include ritornello form, basso continuo, terraced dynamics and:

a.crescendo and decrescendo  b.sonata-allegro form  c. simple, easily sung melodies  d.word painting

7. “Messiah” is the exception to the definition of oratorio because it has no:

a.scenary or costumes  b.plot or characters  c.acts or scenes  d.spoken narrative or dialogue

8. “Messiah” premiered in 1742 in the city of:

a.Dublin  b.Dresden  c.London  d.Edinburgh

9.Because of the excitement surrounding the anticipated premier of “Messiah”, audience members were asked for certain considerations. In order to increase the capacity of the concert hall, men were asked to leave their dress swords at home and women were asked to:

a. not bring large fans  b.not wear hoop skirts  c.leave their children at home  d.not wear large hats

10. Although the premier was very successful, “Messiah” received a poor reception in London because of religious objections to:

a.the use of a sacred text in a theatre  b.violations of the Council of Trent  c. the treatment of Christ’s birth in the story  d. the use of secular music for a sacred text

11. “Messiah” is Handel’s only English oratorio that uses text from:

a. The Old and New Testaments  b.John Milton’s ‘Paradise lost’  c.John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’  d.The Apocrypha

12. In Handel’s day, the orchestra and chorus for “Messiah” were significantly smaller than those with which we are used to seeing it performed today. The chorus was only 20 singers and they were:

a.usually amateurs  b.all male  c.all female  d.mixed chorus

13. In the Baroque period, sacred and secular music were very similar in style. “For Unto Us a Child is Born”, the twelfth movement of “Messiah”, derives much of it’s melodic content from:

a.An Italian opera by Bach  b.An English aria by Purcell  c.A popular drinking song  d.An Italian love duet by Handel

14. Why do most audiences stand when the “Hallelujah Chorus” is performed?

a. To show respect for God  b.The king stood when he heard it  c.Handel wrote it into the music  d.It is part of the intermission

15. Although born and reared in Halle, upper Saxony, Handel is considered to be the premier composer of England. Upon his death in 1759, over 3,000 mourners attended his funeral which was held in this famous place.

a.St Marks Cathedral  b.Westminster Abbey  c.Covent Garden  d.St Paul’s Cathedral

A bit high brow isn’t it!!!!

ZOOM tomorrow night we are going to something very exciting.  We are going into breakout rooms.  We will be put into random rooms with random people for a chat.  Thanks Chris for organising.  Afterwards we will have a little sing song of You Raise Me Up.  I suggested the Hallelujah Chorus, but somehow Chris didn’t think that would work on ZOOM.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/667379474

Don’t forget the password Gold

Meeting ID: 667 379 474

Lin

Wow 10 weeks does it seem like that I am not sure!  Sometimes it seems forever and then it just seems like yesterday!

Well Friday would have been our Concert for St Edwards Church, Netley Abbey.  It would have been our tenth Concert.  Another celebration that unfortunately we wont be able repeat.  I think everyone enjoys singing at Netley, it has great acoustics, they seem to get a good audience, especially when they can get Helga’s QE2 group who alway enjoy it. They particularly loved it when we sang Happy 😆.  The photograph was in 2017.  We had quite a few rainy ones where we had to run from the church to the “Hut” as Chris called it to eat those lovely home made cakes.   I can also remember one time when we had an almighty crash of Thunder and Lightening during the performance.  That was very very frightening!!  We also had the unfortunate incident where Audrey and Sophie had handbags and phones stolen whilst we were performing.  So they have been eventful and hopefully we will be back next year.

Just noticed Lillians hand is covering my face 😂 Better than wrinkle cream makeup

Lillian has sent this message to you all:-

We are doing well! Nothing new. Augustine is now 3 weeks old, growing a lot. Lavinia has a violin recital this Saturday via zoom. If anyone wants to join in at 3:00pm, they are welcome to! Just send me an email and I’ll get them the join link. Xx

I had a letter from Michael Goldthorpe to us all :-

Zoom again this Thursday usual link but with the password Gold.  You will need a pen  and 📝 for the quiz.    If we get time to chat perhaps you tell us if you are trying anything different to pass the time whilst you are at home. Rebecca told me about her family, Husband and two girls are all doing a come dine with me night. So far Freya has cooked a three course Chinese Meal and Esta a Spanish Meal. The pictures look amazing, can’t wait to hear what Martin is going to cook!  No pressure Rebecca.

Hopefully see you Thursday night 7.30 pm

 

Hope everyone is well and safe.

We have one birthday this week. It is Roger Estcourt’s Birthday on Friday 15th.  I did manage to find a picture of him.  He has been in the choir for a number of years as a Bass 2.  Hope you have a great Birthday.

That reminds me I have to sort out those blue floppy bow ties before we need them again, whenever that will be.  

I am not sure how many of you managed to see Martins Funeral on the Webcast.  It is now available to see a recording of it on the link that I sent out earlier this week.  Andy has watched it and realised that you could not see the photographs because of the flare from the sun.  He has sent a link so that you can see them with the NMM singing Time To Say Goodbye.  He also suggested that after this lock down business is over we could have a wake in the Methodist Church for Martin.  I think that would be a lovely idea.   The link:-

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WEEKS ZOOM CALL

 Zoom has upgraded their security so you will now be asked for a password when you join the meeting each Thursday.  Use the same link we’ve always used and the password each week is Gold

Andy has sent details of Martins Funeral which is tomorrow:-

The funeral is on Monday 11th May at 14:30. 

The funeral directors will put Martin’s photograph on their website in the obituaries section. The URL is https://www.jonathanterry.co.uk/

The webcast of the funeral service is as follows:-

You can login to the website at any time to view a test connection (and they strongly recommend you do this) but you’ll only be able to view the Live Webcast between approx. 14:25 and 15:35 on Monday 11 May. Once the service has finished, it will take them up to 3 working days to get the 28-day Watch Again onto the website.

The website is www.obitus.com the username is southampton1669 and the password is 622058

The funeral director Jonathan Terry has an obituary on his web site which you can access at www.jonathanterry.co.uk just click on the Obituaries and Donations link and then search for Martin if his photo is not showing.

Attached is the order of service which Andy has produced.  Just in case you cannot see/open it he has put three of NMM singing, Entry Music What a Wonderful World, Period of Reflection Time to Say Goodbye and Exit Music When the Saints go Marching in. 

Lin

You haven’t changed a bit Maggie.  I hope you have a lovely day. I think you must be the longest serving lady choir member Maggie.

It is nice that people are going on our WhatsApp page and sharing videos, and jokes.  If anyone would like to be added please let me know and I will add you.  I will need to have your mobile number.

A CHANGE IN THE PROGRAMME FOR TOMORROWS ZOOM CHAT

We were going to do a quiz that Jerry had produced but instead we are going to have a VE Day singalong.  We will use Jerry’s quiz for another week.  Chris has put together a song sheet that is below.  I will also send on a separate emails with a pdf and word copy for you to print off.  

If anyone has any ideas for the Zoom calls please let me know.  I thought the True or False one went really well and was good fun.  Thanks for organising that Chris and Zac for the questions.  Link below.  It is the same every week.  

       

                  VE DAY SINGALONG.   

It’s a Long Way to Tipperary / Pack up your troubles

It’s a long way to Tipperary,                                   

It’s a long way to go

It’s a long way to Tipperary                                    

To the sweetest girl I know                                    

Goodbye Piccadilly,                                               

Farewell Leicester Square.                                    

It’s a long, long way to Tipperary

But my heart’s right there.   (repeat)                      

Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,

And smile, smile, smile.

While you’ve a Lucifer to light your fag,

Smile boys, that’s the style.

What’s the use of worrying,

It never was worthwhile, so

Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,

And smile, smile, smile.

There’ll be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover

There’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover,

Tomorrow, just you wait and see.

There’ll be love and laughter, and peace ever after,

Tomorrow when the world is free.

The shepherd will tend his sheep, the valley will bloom again.

And Jimmy will go to sleep,in his own little room again.

There’ll be blue birds over,the white cliffs of Dover,

Tomorrow, just you wait and see.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way

He had a boogie style that no one else could play

He was the top man at his craft

But then his number came up, and he was gone with the draft

He’s in the army now, a-blowin’ reveille

He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam

It really brought him down because he couldn’t jam

The captain seemed to understand

Because the next day the cap’ went out and drafted a band

And now the company jumps when he plays reveille

He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

A-toot, a-toot, a-toot-diddleyada-toot

He blows it eight-to-the-bar, in boogie rhythm

He can’t blow a note unless the bass and guitar is playin’ with him

He makes the company jump when he plays reveille

He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

He puts the boys asleep with boogie every night

And wakes ’em up the same way in the early bright

They clap their hands and stamp their feet

Because they know how he plays when someone gives him a beat

He really breaks it up when he plays reveille

He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

A-toot, a-toot, a-toot-diddleyada-toot

He blows it eight-to-the-bar, in boogie rhythm

He can’t blow a note unless the bass and guitar is playin’ with him

He makes the company jump when he plays reveille

He’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I’ll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh, why can’t I?

We’ll Meet Again

We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.

Keep smiling through just like you always do

‘Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

So will you please say ‘hello’ to the folks that I know,

Tell them I won’t be long.

They’ll be happy to know that as you saw me go

I was singing this song.

We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when

But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.

You’ll Never Walk alone 

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don’t be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm

There’s a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you’ll never walk alone

You’ll never walk alone

Stay Safe Lin