Parlez vous francais?

I'll tell you what: Rudsambee is full of linguistic geniuses (genii?). Tonight there was a real conversation in French and there were a number of active participants. The conclusion of our French friend [Helena} on our Debussy linguistic skills? C'est bien! Anyways, we began with the joys of a Clare2 warmup which consisted of s slightly bonkers succession of silly breathing exercises. Muchos fun!

Particular appreciation must be extended to Susan who spent an hour and a half last week writing up the substantial rehearsal notes. She will hereby be known affectionately as Chief Minute Taker (no disrespect to Rachael, the Minute Secretary) (Minute as in meetings not as in tiny, although she is our most petite member).

Cloudburst, as usual, marked the central piece of the rehearsal. John certainly had the best comment of night... apparently (and I second this, BTW) we are waiting in anticipation for the basses to slap their thighs. It must be said at this point (just to clear it up for the sops - Miles and A-L I am addressing you) we are slapping our own thighs not each others. Of course there is then the clapping. This is not "Robin clapping" (our tenor extraordinaire has the loudest clap known to man, more than one seismic shift has been caused by the tremendous noise) but normal, quietish clapping. Do you know, we really sounded rather good. Stop the presses! Cloudburst actually sounds like a piece of music. We then 'chunked' and sang it to our French friend (name King Editor?) [see above, Blogstress]. Now the verb 'to chunk' is a new admission into the Oxford English Dictionary (long version not the abridged). The origin of this word is, well, a Rudsambee rehearsal in February 2009. 'To chunk' means 'to group together in a small clump while still being able to see the waving hand and expressive eyebrows (he has quite expressive eyebrows) of Maestro Boy'. So there you go. That's one to use in your everyday conversation this week.

We also returned to an album favourite with Hide and Seek this evening. It sounded surprisingly impressive considering we haven't touched it since June. This is our 'popular music' piece. We weren't sure we were ready to embark upon pop music but actually it is pretty good, if very low, particularly for the altos who sound a little like the noise hippos make when they surface. No offence meant to my alto friends, of course.

News of the week, we are having a social evening in March. This is an excuse for some ridiculous photographs to be posted on this blog. Hoorah! Clare2 said that we were 'all most welcome' to her house for the event - we couldn't decide if she actually meant we were 'almost welcome'. I'll keep you informed on this one.

Anyways, I am off to get very excited that I only have two more sleeps before I head to London to see two of the greatest rockers of their generation play their own unique mix of guitar riff wonderment and synth brilliance. After writing the post last week my mother presumed I was heading to London last weekend. Brilliant. My Mum is now taking my weekly schedule from the Rudsambee blog. This weekend Rudsambee has a Saturday rehearsal (which I am missing because - and maybe I haven't mentioned this - I'm going to London!) and hopefully King Editor will write something profound in this very space to fill you in. [Actually, Claire2 has kindly agreed to write something up. And we are anticipating a London report from our masterful Blogstress as well!]

Until then... happy rocking fans
CSW