Counterpoint and a rapping counter punch

Evening Blog fans. After a day of Canadian Literature (preparation for a course rather than a sudden unexplained obsession with the cultural exports of our friends across the pond) here I am to fill you in on the joys and japes of last night. We began with a short group rehearsal of 'She Moves Through the Fair', one of the Blogstresses' favourite ditties. It is a really nice version too, though lyrically it is largely dominated, in the best tradition of the modern pop song, by 'nah, nahs'.

Warm-up was led by Alison with a new, super-stylish haircut. We did a few 'coming down the octave' (and yes, that is a technical term). The highlight for me was definitely Monsieur Wexler's eyebrows which rise and descend with the music. Brilliant! We then did a maths challenge, counting up and down the scale and then substituting numbers for claps and stamps a la 'Grand Old Duke of York'. Actually this wasn't quite as 'car-crash warm-up' as you might expect. The Rudsambeelets are obviously closet Einsteins (oh, he was a physicist...you get the idea).

Next, we moved on to a new piece of early music by old friend Victoria entitled 'something Latin'. Apparently there are no rolled 'rs' in Latin. Jen told me that - she is so very clever. The altos were accused of being a bit 'man-y' (not in appearance you understand, but vocally) and advised by Maestro Boy to move closer to the sopranos. As everyone knows, sopranos are extremely girlie, liking nothing better than wearing pink ribbons, ballet and making sweet cupcakes. Hopefully we will rub off on them.

We then moved on to 'Dormi Jesu'. Maestro Boy made the classic comment, 'then we'll break it down a little'. Fantastic, the image is wonderful. Obviously with my love of rap music this means something completely different to me (NB I think in rap lingo there is also a rude association - I don't mean that...Christopher). 'Dormi Jesu' with gold chains, suped up cars and 'homeboys'. Brillig.

We concluded with good ol' 'Margot' just so that Claire 2 could be tormented by it all week. Maestro Boy is even considering throwing in a slow verse. Mixin' it up - oh man all that rapper stuff is beginning to take over, I'm dropping my word endings.
Anne took a night off from saving the world and dealing with important governmental issues (or whatever else the world's most organised woman does in her spare time) to inform us that she has already booked St Giles for Christmas next year...getting in ahead of the 'Mild Wyrtles'. If Barak is ever looking for a PA Anne is the lady.

Well, that's it for now folks and folkesses. Thanks for reading and 'respect homie'
CSW

We're still here!

Afternoon blog fans. Many apologies for the distinct lack of posts over the past couple of weeks. I have been gallivanting around Britain and beyond, and I am the only literate member of Rudsambee - I joke of course, we have a disproportionate amount of clever clogs in our ranks.

So what's been happening? Well, we had a jolly night yesterday which began well for the blogstress as Marks and Spencers had a decent sandwich selection. The whole evening was considerably improved by Rach's warm-up which was loosely based on Silly Noises to Keep Babies Happy: volume one, concluding with The Grand old Duke of York. Some members of Rudsambee (who shall remain nameless) have some trouble with leaving out the 'ups'. Silly billies!

We moved next door (to the next room not, sadly, round to the Wexlers' long-suffering neighbours who, undoubtedly, spend Wednesday nights lying in a darkened room with aspirin and a cool flannel...or enjoying the dulcet tones of the Rudsambeelets of course) but to the music room (how grand!) and grouped around the piano a la the Waltons. We spent the evening note-bashing a song that Douglas wants at his wedding (it is next May - never let it be said that the Rudsambeelets arrive at a performance unprepared!) and the Lullaby Carol which is pretty but tough - like an alto. The latter is our first proper piece of Christmas music but, since there are no bells and, most importantly no mention of snow or any other Betinis seasonal cliche, we can get away with it in September.

Both began to sound like real pieces of music and Maestro Boy looked suitably smug and proud in equal measure. The wedding song contains a '//' which apparently signifies a wee break, but the Rudsambeelets decided that it represented a chance to go for a quick cuppa, reflect on the thought-provoking sentiment, and then return for the final phrase. What larks!

We had a Margot-free night which pleased many Rudsambeelets who have this wee French (some strange language anyways) ditty on the brain almost constantly. We did run through Dormi Jesu though, which is also beginning to sound very pleasant.

So as term begins, many of the Rudsambeelets are sinking 'neath a sea of paper/work/stressing students/study but all are in good spirits and looking forward to the run-down to Christmas. However we do have a concert before then in the Kingdom (no really it is, check out the sign) of Fife in October, which should be jolly. More on that at a later date.

Hope all have a brillig week.
Until next time
CSW