Hi all,

I’ve just this minute received the sheet music from Paul Jarman for our arrangement of Choirbolical, and have attached it here. As you can see from the inscription at the top of the piece, this is pretty special. The arrangement looks difficult on paper, but after reading through and comparing with the original recording, Paul has stayed very faithful to the original song. So if you’ve listened to it, it shouldn’t seem too frightening.

I am going to record the parts and have them absolutely sent off to you by the end of tonight. Party time at my place. I would appreciate if you could become obsessed with listening to the rehearsal tracks once you have them. This is a very cool opportunity (and also a great song to sing into the future, even if you’re not joining us in Tassie).

Cheers!
Astrid

FREEDOM FOV

Feel free to come by for a ‘do-it-ourselves’ practice of our choir music this Sunday (18th and again on 25th ) at the Elvery’s crn Herbert and Mackenzie Streets – a little later than last message – 4pm to 5.30pm. 

Also note that the VOCE minutes from this week are on the website to view. Points to note: extra REHEARSAL on the 27th June will be a  CONCERT for friends and family held  at the Credit Union Community Space down the lane from Walton’s Stores, so start inviting folk to come and hear us before some of us head off to Festival of Voices Hobart.. The Hobart schedule is also attached to the VOCE minutes for your interest.

Hi Choirbolical,

Firstly – what a fantastic effort at rehearsal on Tuesday night!!!! I’m really happy with, and thankful for the effort you’ve put into learning your repertoire outside of rehearsals. Please don’t stop!! We’re on the home stretch now and will just need one last push before our upcoming concerts.

We are apparently receiving the George Michael “Freedom” arrangement this week (supposedly tomorrow). As soon as I get this, I will obviously forward it to you all, and I will set about recording some rehearsal tracks ASAP so that you can learn it as quickly as possible.

However – with this extra piece, it just means we will have to dedicate valuable rehearsal time to learn it. Could I ask that you:

1. Continue frequently listening and practicing along with “Sing Me To Heaven” and “Father Father”. These are 85% complete, so one last little push at home would be much appreciated.
2. Make sure that you know “I Wish I Knew How It Feels To Be Free”, and “Heyr Himna”, and “Red Hot” from memory – Sing along with them whenever you get the opportunity.
3. Sing through “E Malama”, “E’we Thina”, and “Mother Earth”, and “Riu Riu” every now and then to keep them fresh in your mind.

I envision that for our last two rehearsals, I will have to spend essentially the entire next rehearsal on June 20th dedicated to learning “Freedom”. We will then use our final rehearsal on June 27th to sing through everything (hopefully twice). So you see, it would be great to have the other songs under your belt, ready to go.

HAPPIEST PRACTICING! IT IS ALL WORTH IT!
Thanks,

Astrid

This Tuesday –  6th June will be our regular first Tuesday rehearsal with Astrid. 6.45 for 7pm start

Don’t forget to check out the lyrics and music of George Michael’s Freedom

Please note – the proposed performance on Thursday 8th at the community hub space opening has been cancelled.

See you Tuesday night.

This Tuesday – 30th May is a 5th Tuesday so we will have  a rehearsal this coming Tuesday night 6.45 for a 7pm start. There will  also be a rehearsal on the following week (1st Tuesday)

Happy singing,

Marion

A reminder to those planning to attend Festival of Voices that your payment of $99 is now overdue. Please pay into Choirbolical account including your name (BSB details under Fees tab).  Catherine will be making the bulk choir payment to FOV, as requested, no later than 30th May. We can only forward the numbers and names of participants from our choir if you have paid up. Let us know if there are any problems asap. Cheers Marion

Hi all!

Great job on the weekend – with every pop up performance the songs sounded better and better. A really productive day of singing and laughing!!!

As a few more concerts and the Festival of Voices approach us, I thought I should just reiterate again what I would like you to focus on when you find some time to practice. The following pieces are in order of importance:

1. Father Father. Listen to the track, start to learn from memory.
2. Sing Me To Heaven. As above.
3. Listen to “90′ Freedom” by George Michael*****
4. Red Hot.
5. Riu, Riu Chiu. Sopranos especially!
6. I Wish I Knew How It Feels To Be Free. Sounds beautiful, just learn the words
7. Heyr Himna. Also sounds beautiful, focus on words.
8. E Malama
9. Ewe’ Thina.

***** The festival has asked us to learn a George Michael Song to sing at the Bonfire opening ceremony in front of 5000 people. They originally wanted “Faith”, but have now changed it to “Freedom”. Paul Jarman has been commissioned to especially write out an arrangement to suit Choirbolical. This is HUGE! I am so excited. You should become very familiar with this song. Listen to it a number of times, get to know the rhythm of the lyrics, and sing along as often as you can so we know the song really well by the time we receive the arrangement.

Here’s a link to the youtube clip for your convenience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYAc7gB-0A

Cheers,

Astrid

This Saturday  20th May.

Meet: 9am at the Empire theatre for a warm up. (We hadn’t anticipated new markets to be nearby so think about parking).

Wear: Bright colours.

Singing: we will have a walk and sing at suitable spots around the city centre – depending on weather and other art events. See the list of songs in Astrid’s post below.

Finish and Lunch:  finish around 11-11.30am  followed by a lunch and some staged filming (this was to be at Japanese gardens usq with a picnic – but weather is not looking good  so we will see what film director Chris suggests on the day)

Hope this works!  If not google Moira Smiley – They’re Red Hot.

Good luck with actions – follow the sets of 8 – 2 sets of 7 actions plus a rest. See instructions on your music.