Inflatable horn players, basses in drag, and remembering John MacMurray

All these photos are from tonight. (Again, bigger versions are here.) Sorry they're not very good, especially the ones of Cliff! And the zoomed-in one of the inflatable horn player shows the limitations of digital zoom :p

Last carol concert tonight, and it was the most fun yet. Even I was in a good mood by the end! (I was still ratty at the start, for which I apologise to anyone who spoke to me (particularly poor Sue-Ann, who had to speak to me several times and probably got several undeserved glares!)) There was lots of new silliness. I think the first bit was in Sir Christemas, where the tuba (I think) added a little unscripted chromatic run in the middle. But most of the changes were in the second half. There were rather more Santas (as in full costumed Santas, not just hats) than on previous occasions. But the best one was the horn player (I think it was Dicky - someone please correct me if I'm wrong) who waddled onstage in a huge inflatable Santa suit. (See blurred pictures above.) He could hardly walk, and had particular trouble negotiating the step up to his seat. Then he leaned forward to sort out his music and found he couldn't reach his stand. I've no idea how he managed to play his horn like that, but he did, although the suit was rather more deflated by the end!

We were also quite taken with the various Santa hats worn by the woman on the front desk of the 2nd violins. Yesterday she had a really cute Santa hat - cute because it was only about 3 inches tall! Today she had a normal-sized one, but it flipped from side to side at apparently random intervals (I presume it was battery-operated). Oh, and towards the end, while Gwenan Edwards was about to introduce the next item, the stage manager came on and told her something, and she announced that the timp player had had to go home ill, and could anyone in the audience step in? We knew nothing of this, and at first (before she asked for help from the audience) I think most of us thought it was genuine - I know I did! Needless to say, at this point Father Christmas ran in from the back of the stalls, and wandered across the stage dispensing presents to various people before producing some timp sticks and making a big show of tuning the timps before settling down to play the rest of the concert :-)

I think what most amused most of the choir, though, was Cliff (one of our basses), who came out for the second half dressed as an alto, in a proper Hallé ladies' frock, complete with windsock and huge dangly earrings! No idea whose frock he wore, or whether he actually sang the alto part :p

I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks of John MacMurray every time I hear Sleigh RIde, for it was always him that did the reindeer impression on his trumpet at the end. Tonight all three trumpeters did it together - maybe in memory of him. I like to think so, anyway :-)

Finally, if you've never heard of the NORAD Santa Tracking thing that the U.S. military do every year, and you have kids, you might want to take a look! Hint: if you read this after Christmas, you've missed it.... it starts at 4 a.m. (our time) on Christmas Eve.

Quiz answers

Just realised I haven't posted these yet, so here they are. Anna the Commenter got 36 out of 65, did you beat her?

Also, Muso magazine asked me to mention this survey, and although I usually ignore such requests, this one might amuse some of you and seems harmless enough :-)

And, if you got bored by all the ranting on my last post, you might have not read as far as the pictures. Sorry - I've had some sleep now, so if I find anything new to complain about tonight, I'll try to keep it to myself! Instead I'll focus on those oboes in The Shepherds' Farewell....

Oh, and this is what's going on at G-Mex tonight (and last night), in case you were wondering. Review here.


Christmas lyric quiz answers
25 carols

1. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear:
And man, at war with man, hears not the love song which they bring // O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.

2. O Little Town of Bethlehem:
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more. (Note: this is from a verse that isn't included in "Carols for Choirs" for some reason.)

3. Nativity Carol:
Far away silent he lay // Born today, your homage pay

4. Jingle Bells:
Now the ground is white // Go it while you're young // Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song

5. In dulci jubilo:
O that we were there, O that we were there!

6. Good king Wenceslas:
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.

7. Unto us is born a Son:
So he gave the word to slay // And slew the little childer

8. Il est né le divin enfant:
Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes

9. A merry Christmas:
And we won't go till we've got some, so bring some out here

10. Here we come a-wassailing:
And God bless you, and send you a happy New Year

11. O come all ye faithful:
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation

12. I saw three ships:
And all the bells on earth shall ring on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

13. Hark the herald angels sing:
Born to raise the sons of earth // Born to give them second birth.

14. We three kings:
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying // Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

15. Coventry Carol:
Herod, the king, in his raging // Chargèd he hath this day // His men of might, in his own sight // All young children to slay

16. While shepherds watched:
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease

17. Sir Christèmas:
Who is there that singeth so?

18. Ding dong merrily on high:
May you beautifully rime your evetime song, ye singers

19. O come, o come, Emmanuel:
From the dread caverns of the grave // From nether hell, thy people save.

20. Sussex carol:
All out of darkness we have light // Which made the angels sing this night

21. In the bleak midwinter:
What can I give him, poor as I am? // If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb

22. Silent Night:
Glories stream from heaven afar // Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia

23. Gabriel's Message:
Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!

24. The shepherds' farewell:
God go with you, God protect you // Guide you safely through the wild

25. Past three o'clock:
And a cold frosty morning


... and 40 Christmas songs

1. I believe in Father Christmas (Greg Lake):
They said there’d be snow at Christmas // They said there’d be peace on Earth // Alleluia, Noël, be it Heaven or Hell // The Christmas we get, we deserve.

2. Lonely This Christmas (Mud):
I just break down as I look around and the only things I see // are emptiness and loneliness and an unlit Christmas tree

3. Do they know it's Christmas? (Band Aid):
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears

4. The Power of Love (Frankie Goes to Hollywood):
I'll protect you from the hooded claw // Keep the vampires from your door

5. Fairytale of New York (Pogues & Kirsty MacColl):
You took my dreams from me when I first found you // I kept them with me, babe // I put them with my own

6. Santa Claus is coming to town (Crystals/Bruce Springsteen/others):
He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good, for goodness’ sake!

7. Have yourself a merry little Christmas (Judy Garland/others):
Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow

8: Merry Xmas Everybody (Slade):
Does your granny always tell you that the old songs are the best?

9. Winter Wonderland (Darlene Love/others):
He’ll say “are you married?” - we’ll say “no, man! But you can do the job while you’re in town!”

10. Mary's Boy Child (Harry Belafonte/Boney M):
Trumpets sound and angels sing - listen to what they say // That man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day.

11. Christmas Alphabet (McGuire Sisters/Dickie Valentine/others):
M is for the Mistletoe where everyone is kissed

12. Walking in the air (Aled Jones):
Children gaze open-mouthed, taken by surprise // Nobody down below believes their eyes.

13. Frosty the Snowman (Ronettes/others):
And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler “stop!”

14. Please come home for Christmas (Eagles/Bon Jovi):
Friends and relations send salutations // Sure as the stars shine above

15. All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth (Spike Jones/Tiny Tim/others):
It seems so long since I could say “Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!” // Gosh, oh gee - how happy I’d be if I could only whistle!

16. Sleigh Ride (Ronettes/others):
Let’s take that road before us and sing a chorus or two

17. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (Vaughn Monroe/others):
But if you’ll really hold me tight // All the way home I’ll be warm!

18. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt/Madonna/Calista Flockhart/others):
Think of all the fun I've missed // Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed

19. O Holy Night (*N Sync/others):
Fall on your knees // Oh hear the angel voices!

20. I wish it could be Christmas every day (Wizzard):
Oh when the snowman brings the snow // well, he just might like to know // he’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.

21. Wonderful Christmas Time (Paul McCartney/Tom McRae):
We're here tonight, and that's enough

22. A spaceman came travelling (Chris de Burgh):
This lovely music went trembling through the ground // And many were wakened on hearing that sound

23. All I want for Christmas is you (Mariah Carey):
I don't want a lot for Christmas // There's just one thing I need

24. Christmas Song (aka "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire") (Nat King Cole/others):
Although it’s been said many times, many ways

25. Stop the Cavalry (Jona Lewie):
Wish I was at home for Christmas

26. Cold Cold Christmas (Dana):
Yesterday I saw your Mom and Dad // We bought our cards together

27. Little Saint Nick (Beach Boys):
Run run reindeer // He don't miss no one

28. Rockin' around the Christmas tree (Brenda Lee/Mel Smith & Kim Wilde):
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear voices singing: "let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly"

29. The Winter Song (Angel):
Hear the angels join the choir, let them take the music higher

30. Another rock and roll Christmas (Gary Glitter):
You never know, it might snow tonight

31. Last Christmas (Wham):
I thought you were someone to rely on // Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

32. Stay another day (East 17):
Good times we had return to haunt me // Though it's for you, all that I do seems to be wrong.

33. When a child is born (Johnny Mathis):
A silent wish sails the seven seas // The winds of change whisper in the trees // And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn,

34. Keeping the dream alive (Freiheit):
The hopes we had were much too high // Way out of reach but we have to try

35. He's the little boy that Santa Claus forgot (Nat King Cole):
I'm so sorry for that laddie // He hasn't got a daddy

36. Christmas (baby please come home) (U2):
They're singing "Deck the Halls" // But it's not like Christmas at all

37. Merry Christmas Everyone (Shakin' Stevens):
Snow is falling, all around me // Children playing, having fun

38. Thank God it's Christmas (Queen):
Oh my love we've lived in troubled days // Oh my friend we have the strangest ways

39. Wombling Merry Christmas (The Wombles):
Open your eyes, look to the skies when you're lonely

40. 2000 miles (Pretenders):
... is very far through the snow

Who is there that singeth so?

Weird, isn't it, how some experiences can cause you to seethe with fury one minute (well, for quite a lot of minutes, actually) and shed tears of joy the next? I was struck by this dichotomy last Sunday, and again tonight. And the thing is, I can't recall any non-singing experience that has ever had the same effect on me. Odd, that.

Somewhat predictably, I spent most of tonight's concert fuming again - so much so, that I made a mental note that I must try to smile tomorrow! Should be easier after some sleep :-) I was irrationally furious with myself because I kept being reminded of things that had made me angry last week and realising that I'd forgotten to list them in my earlier post! I hate my mind at times! The extra fury-causing things, just to set my mind at rest, are: 8. Altos who are still ignoring the rhythmic instructions for the different verses of The Shepherds' Farewell; 9. Basses pronouncing "ver" with a v rather than an f in the Bach; 10. The clapping in Sleigh Ride - by which I mean the general clapping all the way through. We never used to do that, and to me it totally spoils the effect of the surprise claps that I used to love so much. 11. Altos who appear to have either not written in any instructions, or not attended any rehearsals, or just can't be bothered to pay attention, and are therefore singing in the wrong bits of lots of the audience carols (someone near me did this a LOT tonight); 12. (as ever) The behaviour of a few members of the adult choir. I couldn't hear any of the instructions during the warm-up because of people talking near me. Mainly this was the youth choir, but I'm not too surprised that they think it's OK to talk while Jamie is giving instructions, when members of the adult choir are doing exactly that. And then, backstage while Jamie was trying to rehearse the foyer choir, I witnessed two altos having a fairly loud conversation a few feet away, and they actually INCREASED the volume of their speech every time the singing started, presumably so as to be able to hear themselves over the top! I was staggered by their selfishness and rudeness.

I'm sorry to rant (again) but I'm just so sick of all this. I love the actual SINGING in the choir, but I spend almost every rehearsal getting angrier and angrier about all this other stuff, and as a result I can't remember the last time I was in a good mood by the time I got home from choir. Which is sad, because everything ELSE in my life is depressing me at the moment, and choir used to be the one thing that cheered me up. And it still does, every time, but sadly the anger is overshadowing the cheer at the moment.

Anyway, I did promise to list the good stuff, so let me end on a positive note! I'd be interested to hear other people's favourite bits :-)

MY TOP 10 MOMENTS OF THE CAROL CONCERTS

10. "Who is there that singeth so?" from Sir Christemas
9. Jazzy brass bit in Sleigh Ride
8. All the descants - probably O Little Town of Bethlehem is my favourite one, but I love them all
7. The drum fill just before the singing starts in White Christmas
6. The fff bit of the Wassail Song
5. The a cappella verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem
4. The orchestration of the men's verse of Unto Us Is Born A Son
3. Several bits of In Dulci Jubilo - mainly, the bit when both choirs sing together at the top of the second page, and the bit when the men sing a nice A7ish chord to get us to D minor
2. The words (practically all of them) of It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, and the timp roll that emphasises the very last line
1. The 3rd verse of The Shepherds' Farewell, where the oboes have those gorgeous extra bits. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

P.S. Here's some pictures I surreptitiously took tonight and on Sunday, while we were waiting for the orchestra to come on. There are bigger versions here.

"Not Silent Lee, who sounds like a guy down the pub who never says anything."

Sorry for the long gap between posts, things have got on top of me. Which is probably also part of the reason I was in such a very bad mood on Sunday... I had to do loads of work when I got home from the second concert, and didn't get to bed till about 3 a.m., and the thought of this made me grumpy for most of the day. (Why didn't I do it on Saturday when I was totally free, you may well ask? Because I needed a break!)

I've finally finished for Christmas today, though, so I can go to tonight's concert in a slightly more cheerful frame of mind. Maybe the extra things that were increasing my grumpiness might have fixed themselves - but I doubt it! I was repeatedly filled with fury on Sunday. Main causes: 1. that alto note in "A Merry Christmas"; 2. that alto bar in "White Christmas"; 3. the note in the last line of "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear" (at least there was only one harmony verse this time, so the altos could only get it wrong once each concert); 4. the very many mistakes in the programme; 5. the behaviour of some members of the Youth Choir (bringing cups of water on stage and then leaving the empty cups all over the floor was the least of their sins); 6. the whole mess about the foyer carols; 7. people who quote me in newsletters but plainly don't actually read stuff properly (because several of the "Jamieisms" lifted from here were not actually Jamieisms at all!)

(I'm doubly furious with the first three, because (a) they're wrong EVERY SINGLE YEAR; (b) no conductor or chorus master has ever done anything about them (in fact, a previous chorus master, when I asked him, said "oh, no-one will ever notice"!); (c) when I mention it to people, they invariably say "Oh, I know - but at least I know *I'm* doing it right." NO YOU'RE NOT, I CAN HEAR YOU! So I can only assume people either aren't listening to what's going on, or are listening but not hearing. Argh.)

Anyway, I need to run for a train now, but when I get home I will post again and tell you about the things about the carol concerts that make me really happy. It may surprise you to hear that there are quite a few!

"You are the juicy bone, I am the dog."

I should probably point out that this, tonight's best Jamieism, followed "Sopranos, I'm going to come back to that." :-)

Lots of carols tonight, although very few of them all the way through. We were joined by the HYC, who we've not seen for ages. They still seem to like to sing behind the beat most of the time, but then so do most of the adult choir! And I was unsurprised (but disappointed) that the notes that the altos have got wrong every year in living memory are STILL wrong, and I expect they'll be wrong in the concert, although I'd love it if they weren't. (I'm talking about the infamous note in We Wish You A Merry Christmas (p167, bar 47, first note) and White Christmas (page 4, last bar). Argh! (The singing behind the beat thing was particularly bad tonight. There was an alto near me who was almost a full beat behind, almost all the way through almost every piece. It's really difficult to sing in time when you have that in your ear. (She was by no means the only one, but she was the loudest one near me.))

Other Jamieisms: "Otherwise you sound like the Swedish Station Radio Choir... is there such a thing?"
"Sopranos, you shouldn't all go wrong on the same note! I'm always curious about a soprano section that does that. It seems bizarre. And unlikely."

Oh, and if you are a new member of the choir, and no-one has told you about the following 3 aspects of the carol concerts:

• tinsel and glitter
• silly hats
• clapping in Sleigh Ride

you should probably ask someone!

To change the subject completely, have you all seen this video? It's doing the rounds of the internet, and shows stupid drivers in Manchester city centre (Cross Street, to be specific). It explains why signs have now been put up there saying "no tailgating"!

And finally, some entertainment for you. I did these two Christmas lyrics quizzes a couple of years ago and just found them while I was looking for something else. Test yourself - leave your answers in the comments if you like, or email me if you prefer. I'll post the answers in a few days :-)

25 Christmas carols

1. And man, at war with man, hears not the love song which they bring // O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.
2. The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
3. Far away silent he lay // Born today, your homage pay
4. Go it while you're young // Take the girls tonight
5. O that we were there, O that we were there!
6. Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.
7. So he gave the word to slay // And slew the little childer
8. Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes
9. And we won't go till we've got some, so bring some out here
10. And God bless you, and send you a happy New Year
11. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
12. And all the bells on earth shall ring on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
13. Born to raise the sons of earth // Born to give them second birth.
14. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying // Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
15. His men of might, in his own sight // All young children to slay
16. Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease
17. Who is there that singeth so?
18. May you beautifully rime your evetime song, ye singers
19. From the dread caverns of the grave // From nether hell, thy people save.
20. All out of darkness we have light // Which made the angels sing this night
21. What can I give him, poor as I am? // If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb
22. Glories stream from heaven afar // Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
23. Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
24. God go with you, God protect you // Guide you safely through the wild
25. And a cold frosty morning

... and 40 Christmas songs

1. They said there'd be snow at Christmas // They said there'd be peace on Earth // Alleluia, Noël, be it Heaven or Hell // The Christmas we get, we deserve.
2. I just break down as I look around and the only things I see // are emptiness and loneliness and an unlit Christmas tree
3. Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears
4. I'll protect you from the hooded claw // Keep the vampires from your door
5. You took my dreams from me when I first found you // I kept them with me babe. I put them with my own
6. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good, for goodness' sake!
7. Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow
8: Does your granny always tell you that the old songs are the best?
9. He'll say "are you married?" - we'll say "no, man! But you can do the job while you're in town!"
10. Trumpets sound and angels sing - listen to what they say // That man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day.
11. M is for the Mistletoe where every one is kissed
12. Children gaze open-mouthed, taken by surprise // Nobody down below believes their eyes.
13. And he only paused a moment when he heard him holler "stop!"
14. Friends and relations send salutations // Sure as the stars shine above
15. It seems so long since I could say "Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!" // Gosh, oh gee - how happy I'd be if I could only whistle!
16. Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
17. But if you'll really hold me tight // All the way home I'll be warm!
18. Think of all the fun I've missed // Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
19. Fall on your knees // Oh hear the angel voices!
20. Oh when the snowman brings the snow // well, he just might like to know // he's put a great big smile on somebody's face.
21. We're here tonight, and that's enough
22. This lovely music went trembling through the ground // And many were wakened on hearing that sound
23. I don't want a lot for Christmas // There's just one thing I need
24. Although it's been said many times, many ways
25. Wish I was at home for Christmas
26. Yesterday I saw your Mum and Dad // We bought our cards together
27. Run run reindeer // He don't miss no-one
28. You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear voices singing: "let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly"
29. Hear the angels join the choir, let them take the music higher.
30. You never know, it might snow tonight
31. I thought you were someone to rely on // Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
32. Good times we had return to haunt me // Though it's for you, all that I do seems to be wrong.
33. A silent wish sails the seven seas // The winds of change whisper in the trees // And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
34. The hopes we had were much too high // Way out of reach but we have to try
35. I'm so sorry for that laddie // He hasn't got a daddy
36. They're singing "Deck the Halls" // But it's not like Christmas at all
37. Snow is falling, all around me // Children playing, having fun
38. Oh my love we've lived in troubled days // Oh my friend we have the strangest ways
39. Open your eyes, look to the skies when you're lonely
40. ... is very far through the snow

EDIT: Answers are here.

"What's after L? K? Thanks."

Here are Fliss and Tessa showing off their new hairdos :-)

The title of this post was a Jamieism from In Dulci Jubilo (on Wednesday), in which Jamie started by saying that everyone was behind the beat (which was true), and dealt with this by making the back row sing on their own (because he said they were the furthest behind). But then he got sidetracked into finding out what different semi-random groups within the choir sounded like. We had each row separately, then everyone whose surname started with a letter between A and L, then... well, that's when the quote above emerged :-)

I was also amused by "From there we have to go to the babes" (the word "babes" appears in the Shepherds' Farewell) and "It should, I think, be a bit more distant... and slightly more inebriated..." (in the Wassail Song). But this might have been just me :p We also did the non-carol-book carol concert pieces - one was the end of Bach's Christmas Oratorio (Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde). This was totally new, and not that easy, and (as Libby said) it seems a bit silly not to have given it out earlier so that people could look at it. But it did give me the chance to show off my sight-reading, which I always love! And we finished by reading through a truly bizarre "new" carol called "Strike! seraphs, strike your harps of gold" (written in 1850 by someone called John Fawcett). Apparently the musicologist who prepared the edition is coming to talk to us about it next week - should be interesting...

Did you watch the People's Chorus tonight? I didn't see me at all, other than in the distance once, and that was only because I knew where I sat and was looking. But most of the other Hallé people were on loads, especially Dr Liz. That's what I get for volunteering to be a tenor instead of an alto! But then I have been on TV many times before, so it's only fair that everyone else should have a chance. Oddly enough, I *did* see myself, very unexpectedly, in the programme *before* - the 10 Best Choral Masterpieces. Not a bad list - I have no problem with most of them, although there are a few others I might have included that were omitted (no Mozart Requiem or B Minor Mass or Creation, but they include Land of Hope and Glory?!?) But when they got to Gerontius, they showed a large chunk of our prom from last year! And I could see me in the background, behind the tenor soloist. If you missed the programme, it's repeated late on Tuesday night (well, actually 1 a.m. on Wednesday).

Finally, two more pictures - these are some of the angels in Albert Square. Go and have a look, they're lovely! And in the meantime, if you need some Christmas music to get you in the mood, there are various Christmassy mp3s still online, listed in this post from last year.

"TWINS!"

Not really in the mood to blog - I'm totally exhausted, plus my computer repair has turned out to be not quite as straightforward as hoped, which I could really do without. Also, I know there are some people in the choir who are able to take a day off work following a long day like Sunday's, but not only could I not do that, I had a parents' evening yesterday, which meant that I didn't get home till 9 p.m. - and then I had a pile of marking still to do! But never mind all that, let's talk about Messiah.

Having been less than enthusiastic about the whole thing, I actually really enjoyed it in the end, and I think most other people did too. Three highlights for me:

1. For the first time in several years, he DIDN'T MESS WITH "HALLELUJAH". My favourite part of the whole piece has always been the audience standing up at the start of that - it always makes me cry, for some reason - and the last few Messiahs have been spoilt for me by conductors INVITING the audience to stand. That's just not the same! But on Sunday Nicholas Kraemer just let it happen, and it was wonderful :-)

2. Similarly, the cheesy stand in the middle of "Glory to God", which I'd thought was silly, actually worked really well, and felt very powerful - I'd love to know whether or not it came across that way. (I'd also love to know whether or not anyone in the gallery noticed that, as instructed, I sang in their direction almost all the way through.) (They probably just thought "Why has she got her head sticking up in that unnatural manner? ...)

3. Carolyn Sampson, the soprano soloist. All the soloists were pretty good, but she just blew me away. She made it sound so easy! Even "Rejoice Greatly", which seems to me to be one of the most difficult arias there is. Her tone was sublime, and her top notes were effortless. Even her walk to and from her seat was amazing - she seemed to GLIDE. (Like Galadriel walking down the tree when you first see her in The Lord of the Rings. If you've seen it, you'll know exactly what I mean.)

It was all good, though. Although I'm surprised the tenors' heads made it through the door after all the praise heaped on them in the rehearsal. A sample (from Nicholas Kraemer): "It's very rare to have tenors in a chorus this size who sing as well as you do." Which is true - they ARE good - but we wanted compliments too!

An amusing contribution has come my way from Barbara's husband, who very much enjoyed the concert but overheard the following from audience members:

"Those 4 violinists at the back, they haven't played much - what's that all about?"

"Did you notice there are 2 types of women singers?"

"I know you didn't enjoy it but it's the sort of experience you ought to have!"

---

Just one negative thing I want to say, which I hope doesn't get forgotten in the euphoria of how well everything went. We didn't warm up AT ALL. AGAIN. That's two concerts in a row - and they were two BIG sings. A few years ago I wouldn't have been too bothered, but I can really feel the difference now if I've not warmed up properly. I think Jamie should make his mind up - either warm-ups are important, or they're not. I think most people would agree that they are - so can we have some consistency, please? Warm-ups should be done AT THE EXPENSE OF LAST-MINUTE NOTES. I imagine Maggie will be furious when she hears that yet again her work has been undermined.

Is it just me that thinks this?

Anyway, some other stuff to finish:

Here's an interesting Times article about choirs being in the public eye recently.

There was a thing called The Choir on BBC2 last night. If you missed it, I'm sure next week will summarise enough for you to catch up!

And of course, this Saturday is the best TV programme of the year so far - that is, unless they only show the sopranos :p The People's Chorus is on BBC4 at 8 p.m.

Ooh, I almost forgot - "TWINS!" was the most amusing moment of the "warm-up" - when Jamie was trying to get the men more enthusiastic about singing about a child being born unto them. Again, you probably had to be there :p

P.S. United are at home tomorrow, in a huge European game. Be warned!

Gerry the Genius

I met Gerry today. He is the lovely man who is going to fix my iBook (that's my laptop computer, for those who've never heard the term). It died yesterday (the logic board has given up the ghost, it seems) and the repair would be costing £500 if it wasn't for the fact that I took out AppleCare protection, which covers it. So at least there's some good news... Gerry works at the Genius Bar in the new Apple Store in the Arndale Centre. (If you've never been inside an Apple Store, do visit sometime - they're impressive places!)

In the meantime, I have no access to any of my files - or to World of Warcraft! (*sob*) - but I can at least get online - just - by using a PC laptop I've been allocated by school. I say 'just' because it's the SLOWEST MACHINE IN THE WORLD. It takes ten minutes - literally - to open a single program, and opening two things at once is just not an option. Argh.

What do you mean, I haven't mentioned the choir yet? Well, there's really not much to say. Last night was the orchestral rehearsal for Messiah, and it was OK musically (we finished 20 minutes early, always a good sign) but yet again had to stand up for most of it. And no doubt there'll be lots more standing tomorrow. Oh, my poor feet.