Oh dear me, somewhat tardy this week I’m afraid. And very tired of eye having been staring at the computer screen for the last 2 days trying to conjure up a party venue that answers to my requirements. You’d think in a city like Edinburgh this would be easy, but think again. Nothing of the sort, let me assure you. I need wheelchair access (what??? apparently it’s unnecessary for function rooms), reasonable cost (a more unreasonable request than wheelchair access, it seems) and some atmosphere (now I’m crying for the moon). So, I’m getting very dispirited and pretty damn sulky, too. HELP!
That’s me out of the way – as this is not supposed to be about me, I apologise for the above and will try to find something interesting to say about Wednesday.
Mostly I’ve forgotten all about it.
Luke came back so it would appear we have a new bass – hoorah! Welcome Luke, may you enjoy your time with us and may it be long.
All of a sudden the room felt very full again in spite of missing persons, to whit Elaine and Kay 1(2). Why this should be, I don’t know. Maybe we’ve all gained a little weight over the holiday period and are therefore taking up more space.
We spent a long time with the French flea – very odd olde worlde francais (can’t do the wiggle so put it in for yourselves) to learn, which completely confounds those of us who spent years with fierce French teachers having a reasonable-ish accent forced upon us. The trick is to forget it’s meant to be French at all, I think. Of course, as with all the French songs we seem to do, it is supposed to go along at a rattling rate and Ollie gives very little quarter. He’s a task-master and a half at times. It’s exhausting.
Our new Eric Whitacre is as yummy as the man himself – only the words are a little peculiar in places. Picture a girl and a boy sucking LIMES on a beach. Why would they do such a thing? Or are limes different where poet Octavio Paz comes from? But the music is gorgeous, naturellement, and already beginning to sound quite reasonable. I have to admit to guessing in places but I’ll get it right eventually.
We have a couple of Komitas pieces on the go which are spine-tinglingly delicious. Lovely stuff. In Cheenar Es Helen and Anna-Lauren get to show off their beautiful voices while the rest of us sing ‘nar-nar’ and ‘nigh-nigh’ underneath which you might think is a little boring but sometimes it’s rather splendid to be a backing vocalist…..
I left early - wasn’t around for coffee and biscuits so have no snippets of interesting conversation to pass on. Note to self – must do better. I’d make a useless spy.
Next week will be my last blog until the end of February as I’m off to Australia on the 29th and will be away 3 weeks. I’m sure you’ll miss me as I feel I must have established myself as an exceptional bloggeteer by now... but I’m sure someone else will endeavour to take my place (hah! as if such a thing were possible) and keep you up-to-date with Rudsambeeish activities.
OK, bets on my being sacked on my return. Any takers?
xx
Saturday 23 January 2010
Thursday 14 January 2010
The music starts
Hello, Peeps. Blog no. 2 coming up... How are you all doing? Fed up with THE WEATHER yet? Brrrrr.
A new year, some new songs. We tried three last night. We tried. Actually, we didn’t do too badly and one day quite soon they will sound very lovely, I’m sure. Even the French one about having a flea in yer ear. Ollie wanted us to look and sound annoyed – surprisingly easy when trying to remember tune and words-sung-quickly-in-a-foreign-language all at once after not much practise at all. But, young Ol is starting as he means to go on and apparently there will be quite a bit more of that sort of thing in the future. Music? Folders? Who needs ‘em?
Best news: we have Kay 2/3 back. She will always be number 2 to those of us who didn’t know Kay 1 but Kay 3 to those who did and consider present Kay (1) to be Kay 2 (confused yet?). She first joined us last year while Natalie was ‘on a break’ but her temporary membership was all too short. Now, as Claire (yes, OK, 1) has left, Rachel has been bumped up to soprano status, et voila! space for another alto – hooray! She is very good. Aside from having a lovely voice she always seems to be in the right place and on the right note – a rare occurrence amongst Rudsambeeites let me tell you, disappointed though you may be at this glimpse behind-the-scenes.
More excitement: a possible new bass in the form of Anna-Lauren’s friend, Luke. I don’t know if he will be joining us but he braved rehearsal last night and was still smiling at the end so it looks promising. Don’t know much about him but, although he doesn’t look old enough to be so, he is married and I think he said he works in IT (well, someone has to. I just realised last night I have no idea what the ‘I’ in IT stands for. I’m a bit hazy on the ‘T’ too, in all honesty. Am I showing my age, perchance?) Yes. Welcome, Luke. Make (most of) us look a little jaded, if you must. And small. Very small. What an extraordinarily tall young man he is. If he joins I insist we stand him next to Rachel (particularly tiny) in the difficult songs. The comedy value will take people’s minds off our mistakes.
It is lovely to be singing again. Great to have a new programme to look forward to. Amusing to be responsible for this. And the Rudsambee tin of Quality Street is nearly empty. Yey!
Kisses.
A new year, some new songs. We tried three last night. We tried. Actually, we didn’t do too badly and one day quite soon they will sound very lovely, I’m sure. Even the French one about having a flea in yer ear. Ollie wanted us to look and sound annoyed – surprisingly easy when trying to remember tune and words-sung-quickly-in-a-foreign-language all at once after not much practise at all. But, young Ol is starting as he means to go on and apparently there will be quite a bit more of that sort of thing in the future. Music? Folders? Who needs ‘em?
Best news: we have Kay 2/3 back. She will always be number 2 to those of us who didn’t know Kay 1 but Kay 3 to those who did and consider present Kay (1) to be Kay 2 (confused yet?). She first joined us last year while Natalie was ‘on a break’ but her temporary membership was all too short. Now, as Claire (yes, OK, 1) has left, Rachel has been bumped up to soprano status, et voila! space for another alto – hooray! She is very good. Aside from having a lovely voice she always seems to be in the right place and on the right note – a rare occurrence amongst Rudsambeeites let me tell you, disappointed though you may be at this glimpse behind-the-scenes.
More excitement: a possible new bass in the form of Anna-Lauren’s friend, Luke. I don’t know if he will be joining us but he braved rehearsal last night and was still smiling at the end so it looks promising. Don’t know much about him but, although he doesn’t look old enough to be so, he is married and I think he said he works in IT (well, someone has to. I just realised last night I have no idea what the ‘I’ in IT stands for. I’m a bit hazy on the ‘T’ too, in all honesty. Am I showing my age, perchance?) Yes. Welcome, Luke. Make (most of) us look a little jaded, if you must. And small. Very small. What an extraordinarily tall young man he is. If he joins I insist we stand him next to Rachel (particularly tiny) in the difficult songs. The comedy value will take people’s minds off our mistakes.
It is lovely to be singing again. Great to have a new programme to look forward to. Amusing to be responsible for this. And the Rudsambee tin of Quality Street is nearly empty. Yey!
Kisses.
Thursday 7 January 2010
Bloggetty blog
So, here I am. Claire Too – and apparently destined always to be so, when I was SO looking forward to becoming number 1. And I’m only an Alto so will never take my rightful place as replacement diva either. I am stamping my (rather large) foot in a fit of pique, btw. And tossing my head. And curling my lip. Get the picture???
In spite of bitter disappointment and irreparable damage to my self-confidence I have agreed to take Claire1's place the only way I am allowed – to whit, as chief blogger. I believe she referred to herself as ‘blogstress’ but I shall attempt to find my own appellation over the next few weeks so watch this space. (Something will occur to me eventually).
First post-Christmas meeting last night which involved no singing but much munching of Quality Street, imbibing of mulled wine (yum, thank you, John) and lengthy discussion, none of which I shall relay to you here except for the joyous news that we will be singing in Rosslyn Chapel (again, at last) on Saturday December 11th. Put it in your diaries, folksies. Yes, I know – thinking about next Christmas already while there are is a little unreal but it has to be done. Once you’ve made a note of the above you can forget about it until nearer the time – well, at least until September (or will it be August this year?) when the shops start selling decorations.
As I really wasn’t aware that I would be called upon to write this I wasn’t really listening out for amusing anecdotes or juicy gossip last night so forgive me that this blog is rather on the thin side (unlike me at the moment. Who asked for all that food and chocolate, anyway? Really, some people have no consideration) – I will attempt to do better in future though make no promises as we all know I have quite some job to do to follow Mrs Warden.
Happy New Year, y’all. See you next week.
In spite of bitter disappointment and irreparable damage to my self-confidence I have agreed to take Claire1's place the only way I am allowed – to whit, as chief blogger. I believe she referred to herself as ‘blogstress’ but I shall attempt to find my own appellation over the next few weeks so watch this space. (Something will occur to me eventually).
First post-Christmas meeting last night which involved no singing but much munching of Quality Street, imbibing of mulled wine (yum, thank you, John) and lengthy discussion, none of which I shall relay to you here except for the joyous news that we will be singing in Rosslyn Chapel (again, at last) on Saturday December 11th. Put it in your diaries, folksies. Yes, I know – thinking about next Christmas already while there are is a little unreal but it has to be done. Once you’ve made a note of the above you can forget about it until nearer the time – well, at least until September (or will it be August this year?) when the shops start selling decorations.
As I really wasn’t aware that I would be called upon to write this I wasn’t really listening out for amusing anecdotes or juicy gossip last night so forgive me that this blog is rather on the thin side (unlike me at the moment. Who asked for all that food and chocolate, anyway? Really, some people have no consideration) – I will attempt to do better in future though make no promises as we all know I have quite some job to do to follow Mrs Warden.
Happy New Year, y’all. See you next week.
Fresh start
And welcome to the 2010 season of Relative Pitch.
In spite of the snowy conditions, which left us short of a few members, we managed to have our traditional January meeting to discuss the year ahead. Since most had travelled by bus there was a touch more mulled wine flowing that usual, which helped to keep spirits up.
News for blogfans:
- Claire2 has agreed to take the helm at the blog for the time being, adamant that she could never compete with our lost blogstress.
- John and Susan will be abandoning us to visit China for a month or so in the spring; this means that, with Peter and Mirren to hand, a full SATB set of Rudsamblets will be together - so expect impromptu drinking songs and gaelic galore!
-We can't have our (now traditional) concert in the National Portrait Gallery this year as it is closed for massive refurbishment; instead we will be in the Nation Gallery on the Mound. Watch this space for more details as we approach the Spring concert season. However, in what seems a fair swap, although we have lost one venue we are now able to return to Rosslyn Chapel at Christmas!
-It's been almost three years so it must be time to visit the Swallow Theatre at Whithorn. But what's that you say? There's a book festival in the area? Well hang the Swallow, let's got a bigger venue! (we're not actually hanging the swallow, this has been suggested by Whitacre fanatic David Sumner who organises our trips down there. Did someone mention Cloudburst...)
-Apparently there have been occasional comments on out ticket prices, to the effect that they could be cheaper. Any blogfans fancy joining in the debate?
-Since we had to cancel our Cranshaws gig due to foul weather, which they are apparently still suffering, we're probably going to visit in the Spring, perhaps to celebrate the end of lambing.
-Douglas (Tenor) and Jean (groupie/most useful non-choirmember) are to wed in May and we are to sing forour supper the occasion! This will be exciting...
-Maestro boy has issued a call to the Rudsamblets requesting any old repertoire which we could reboot/rejazz/reinvent. So expect much muttering as people remember why they were glad of the new stuff ;)
-A few weeks ago Rudsambee received a request to appear on Eggheads, a tv quiz show. Although we couldn't muster enough people to get through to Glasgow at short notice, quite a few were enthusiastic about the prospect. So if you turn on The Weakest Link and find Robinson replaced by Grindley (a far more terrifying prospect, all agreed), or spot John on the experts panel in Countdown... well, you have been warned.
The loss of our Diva does have some positive fallout. Tiny Rachael, who joine as an Alto because that's wht there was a vacancy for, has been gently asking to bepromoted er, demoted moved to the Sporano section as she feels like an imposter. And so shall it be! This means we'll have a space in the Altos and we're hoping to get the lovely Kay 2 (er, 3?) back because everyone liked her. Woo-hoo! There is even talk of new men, but we know better than to get our hopes up.
That's about all the blogworthy news, mundane though it may be. Next week we'll hopefully have our new blogmummy to entertain you.
Chris
In spite of the snowy conditions, which left us short of a few members, we managed to have our traditional January meeting to discuss the year ahead. Since most had travelled by bus there was a touch more mulled wine flowing that usual, which helped to keep spirits up.
News for blogfans:
- Claire2 has agreed to take the helm at the blog for the time being, adamant that she could never compete with our lost blogstress.
- John and Susan will be abandoning us to visit China for a month or so in the spring; this means that, with Peter and Mirren to hand, a full SATB set of Rudsamblets will be together - so expect impromptu drinking songs and gaelic galore!
-We can't have our (now traditional) concert in the National Portrait Gallery this year as it is closed for massive refurbishment; instead we will be in the Nation Gallery on the Mound. Watch this space for more details as we approach the Spring concert season. However, in what seems a fair swap, although we have lost one venue we are now able to return to Rosslyn Chapel at Christmas!
-It's been almost three years so it must be time to visit the Swallow Theatre at Whithorn. But what's that you say? There's a book festival in the area? Well hang the Swallow, let's got a bigger venue! (we're not actually hanging the swallow, this has been suggested by Whitacre fanatic David Sumner who organises our trips down there. Did someone mention Cloudburst...)
-Apparently there have been occasional comments on out ticket prices, to the effect that they could be cheaper. Any blogfans fancy joining in the debate?
-Since we had to cancel our Cranshaws gig due to foul weather, which they are apparently still suffering, we're probably going to visit in the Spring, perhaps to celebrate the end of lambing.
-Douglas (Tenor) and Jean (groupie/most useful non-choirmember) are to wed in May and we are to sing for
-Maestro boy has issued a call to the Rudsamblets requesting any old repertoire which we could reboot/rejazz/reinvent. So expect much muttering as people remember why they were glad of the new stuff ;)
-A few weeks ago Rudsambee received a request to appear on Eggheads, a tv quiz show. Although we couldn't muster enough people to get through to Glasgow at short notice, quite a few were enthusiastic about the prospect. So if you turn on The Weakest Link and find Robinson replaced by Grindley (a far more terrifying prospect, all agreed), or spot John on the experts panel in Countdown... well, you have been warned.
The loss of our Diva does have some positive fallout. Tiny Rachael, who joine as an Alto because that's wht there was a vacancy for, has been gently asking to be
That's about all the blogworthy news, mundane though it may be. Next week we'll hopefully have our new blogmummy to entertain you.
Chris
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