weekend extras

I'd innocently asked our Chorus Master how the division of voices was decided for splitting the choir into two for the Mozart - was it eeny meeny miney mo?? Oh NO, he'd replied, its MUCH more scientific than that. Upon reading the list of names, it was enlightening to see the scientific application of Alphabetical Order coming into play...

But I have to say that Choir 1 was definitely the Choir to be in, for our early arrival on Saturday at St. Thomas Church was warmly rewarded - not only was coffee ready for us, but Martin had surpassed himself, and prepared a FABulous cooked breakfast too, to get the vocals flowing nicely - thank you so much! (..only joking - but the coffee was so welcome.)

 The church is beautiful inside, and we were joined by a small army of ladies very quietly and busily decorating it for Harvest Festival, which, coupled with our practicing, gave the day a real air of preparation.  Nick Jones had got up at 5am and flown over from Edinburgh to conduct us.  Nick was an inspiring man and his knowledge of the music was not only amazing, considering he is a Solicitor in the day time, but he obviously so LOVED it,  and that came across at all times. He was very patient and never at any point looked anything other than calm (possibly jet-lag..), in spite of some of our more Interesting sight reading. His only reference to the challenge was upon reaching the Allegro. He cast his eye over the score and said, 'Ah yes... this is a... GIGANTIC Fugue...' but attempted to settle our beating hearts by bringing our attention to its Little Twiddles (obviously a Latin Term). He was fantastic for allowing us to revisit passages that troubled us at our request, including one bar, which, when it was brought to his attention, he admitted had been  'A head-in-hand moment', with which he had sympathized as we'd flown past it, fleetingly noticing the despair in the Alto section while he was marveling at the composition and Mozarts genius!

Some more Posh Frocks

 

From the Sublime to The Snowman..

Now, another nudge to remind you about your dressing-UP for the Christmas Concert, ho ho hooo. Here is Andrew arriving last year, after dropping in to Tesco on the way to The Waterfront...

And some more evidence that our bike days are refreshment-based..  

This was on a recent trip to Castle Espie, and though there was a bit of rain, we found some shelter, 

and went on to Daft Eddie's for lunch - in time to watch the downpour outside, perfect. 

Alto and tenor negotiating the route.. 

The rain went on so long we were Obliged to have pudding, tsk. But then, the sun came out!! 

Second soprano straggler.. (thats me! Always watching the view..)