Dear Harmonisers 

Our carol singing last Saturday made £330 for Shelter Scotland. This is a great result - particularly as there were less shoppers around than usual. As usual, In the Bleak Mid Winter and Jingle Bells were the biggest draw and attracted most donations. Our sudden burst of Climbing up the Mountain was much enjoyed! As was it all. 

Many thanks to all who could make it and especially to our team of (voluntary or was it conscripted..?) song leaders! You did a great job. 

Our first Harmonise in 2013 is on Monday 14th January. 

May Christmas be good for you and yours. 

xxSally 

Dear all,

A quick note:

1. To wish you all the very best for tomorrow. Do let me know how it goes and ENJOY yourselves! Look forward to hearing all about it at the party on Monday...

2. Final sales pitch of the year (I promise!). If any of you have children or grand-children who like to read and you are looking for a Christmas present for them, look no further than 'For the King' my historical novel for children. I wanted to pitch it to Harmonise especially as it does have many references to music and gives an ultimately positive and uplifting message. Children are bombarded with a lot of junk nowadays and my vision in writing the book was to give the brave minority an alternative which tries to capture the ethos and inspiration which is now sadly lacking in children's literature.

Find out more www.fortheking.co.uk or click on the book below.

All the very best to one and all,

Matthew

Dear all,

I am sure you will be delighted to know that next rehearsal will be dedicated to Christmas Carols! Sally has sent me a list as follows:

Come All Ye Faithful  - no music/words in the books but probably everyone knows it

Jingle Bells - I have this as a loose sheet and I'm sure some others will as well. 

In the Bleak Mid Winter - Red Bk p.42

While Shepherds Watched - Blue Bk p.56/7

Gaudete - words only Blue Bk p.54

Ding Dong Merrily  - Blue Bk p.49 

O Little Town of Bethlehem - Blue Bk p.50 

The Coventry Carol - Blue Bk p.48

(and Siyahamba - for warmth and our delight!) - Red Bk p.5

We also have words/music (not music for S's but all likely to know it) for Hark the Herald - Blue Bk 51-54

i.e. make sure you bring your RED book and definitely your BLUE book.

I want to apologise personally for not being able to lead the carol singing this year. This was due to Paisley Abbey giving me the wrong date for our annual tour to Culzean Castle. A very unfortunate clash as I had been keeping the date free and very much looking forward to it. Many thanks to those who are stepping into the breach.

Phil wanted to pass on how impressed he was with the choir on Monday and how touched he was by your warm welcome. He said to me afterwards: "I had not expected them to be so good." I cheekily asked him what he had expected, to which he replied "I did not know what to expect!" Anyway, I think you can all be assured that you made a great impression!

Merry Christmas ane an' a' (one and all)

Matthew 

Checking in...

Dear all,

Just checking to see if this works.

Try clicking on the CD cover above...

Have a great day!

Matthew

Dear friends 

There are lots of singing opportunities coming up. The details of one of these are below.

I'll email the others to out to you to-day 

Sally 





Hello everyone,

On the invitation of the Adult Learning Project, Edinburgh's very own Georgian singing group Skotebi are running a free one-day workshop on Saturday 8th December, see details below.

It is suitable for everyone who wants to spend the day exploring their voices and singing with others instead of doing their Christmas shopping..

It will be possible just to turn up on the day, but it would be helpful for calculating numbers if you could let us know in advance if you would like to come - you can also sign up on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/events/462036163838730/

Also please feel free to spread the word to anyone you think might be interested - a flyer is attached - so-called "non-singers" especially welcome!

Best
David Tugwell

Find your voice through Georgian singing
A free workshop with Edinburgh Georgian vocal group Skotebi 

Saturday December 8th 2012

10 am to 4 pm.
Come for the whole day, or just for the morning 10:00 to 12:30
Tollcross Community Centre
117 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG
Explore the natural sound of your singing voice and experience how your voice can join together and harmonise with others.

We start with simple exercises to explore the natural resonance of our body and how it relates to the sounds we produce.
We will then learn by ear some simple traditional songs from the Republic of Georgia. Georgian folk songs are nearly always in 3 parts and their folk harmonies have an elemental power.

No singing experience necessary Everyone can sing!
For more information, contact:
David at georgiansong@gmail.com or Mike on 07786280891

With the Adult Learning Project (http:/alpedinburgh.btck.co.uk/

)

Dear friends 

As you'll have noticed, the plan to send out music files of the Lonesome Road parts has not been achieved. Really sorry!  We will get them to you in due course, though. 

The committee and Matthew met last night and we fixed a date for carol singing in Rose Street. The date is Saturday 15th December and we'll sing in aid of Shelter Scotland again.  More details to follow. 

Also we'll have a Christmas party, possibly on the evening of Monday 17th December. Again details to follow. 

Dear friends  

Last Monday we heard about the possibility of having a singing weekend at Stroove, Skelmorlie, Ayrshire in the summer term. There was lots of interest so we've booked - for the weekend of 17th - 19th May 2013. There'll be more information about it very soon. 

And - here are the words of the 4 part round, Jordan Train,  which we began last week: 

1.    See that ol' railroad engine

       Is driving its way to the promised land

2.    It's coming, it's coming rolling along the track

       It's coming 'long the Jordan way

3.    It whistles its message

       To all who pass by that way

4.    And stops every station

       To spread forth the Lord's good word

See you Monday

Sally  

Ali Burn's Songs for the dark turn of the year Workshop

Here is some information from Ali Burns about workshops she is running in November. One in Edinburgh, the other in Glasgow  

Songs for the dark turn of the year

From Cornwall to Orkney and Northumberland to the West coast of Ireland, Britain has a hugh legacy of virtually unknown folk carols and songs to celebrate winter customs.

Inspired by the metaphors of light, song and celebration of community in the middle of winter, I have updated this legacy for our times.  Through my research I have restored, re-invented and arranged a new body of stunning and entirely singable songs for winter.

Join me for a day of great singing, beautiful songs and transcendent harmonies.

EDINBURGH

Sunday 18th November at the Columcille Centre, Newbattle Terrace

10.30 - 4.30 (10.30 coffee for 11.00 start), £25 - coffee and cake included, bring lunch to share

Bookings: 01556 503 646, or through my website www.aliburns.co.uk

GLASGOW

Sunday 25th November at the Mackintosh Church, 870 Garscube Road, G20

10.30 - 4.30 (10.30 coffee for 11.00 start), £20 - includes a sandwich lunch

Bookings and enquiries: tickets@themackintoshchoir.org

Best wishes

Alison Burns

01556 503 646

07801 244 867

www.aliburns.co.uk

Soon we'll be back

Hello friends 

The beginning of term - wonderfully - is now very close - Monday 8th. 

As well as welcoming Matthew on 8th. We'll be welcoming 3, possibly a few more, new members. As you know, we always make sure that 2-3 members meet and greet newcomers and spend a little while with them explaining 'what happens', where the different parts stand/sit etc (And, this time, that we'll be having the AGM).  Olive will be there to meet & greet and we need one or two other members to join her. Please let Olive or me (Sally) know if you're happy to do this. Many thanks. 

Re. The AGM, the Chair's report has been circulated. However if you haven't received this please contact me. The Treasurer's Report will be emailed to you before 8th. 

Also, of much interest -  Matthew is a soloist (Gerontius) in a performance of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius in Glasgow on Saturday 13th October. The details are: 7.30 pm, 13th October, Bute Hall, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow. Tickets £10 (children free) tickets@agap.org.uk or 0141 554 1333 (www.agap.org.uk)

See you soon.... 

Singing opportunities

Dear all 

Here's some information about singing opportunities with  David Burbridge 

Sally 


Dear Singers and friends, 

I hope you had a good summer. This is to let you know that booking is now open for our singing events through the autumn - and into next year.  

Due to popular demand, we've got some extra accommodation so now have some more space on our  Folk Carols festival in Dent over the first weekend of December - and also on our Singing Settle Carlisle railway weekend over the first weekend of October. Please let me know if you would like to join us on a week-long Tour of Slovenia learning and singing Slovenian and English songs over the half term holiday in late October. And then next year we have our traditional Lakeland Songline four days hill walking and singing through the Lake District, and a week on Jura over Easter back at Ardlussa House at the northern end of the island. 

And finally, if you would like a tailor made choir visit to the Lake District or Slovenia meeting other choirs - we can arrange it for you. Please forward this email to those who might be interested. 

Tuesdays from September 11 - Lakeland Voices. Community choir in the Castle Street Community choir - warm ups, songs taught by ear, interesting folk harmony from the UK and around the world - including a bonanza of folk carols which we'll sing in the pubs nearer Christmas. And cracking good company. 

October 5-7 - Singing Settle Carlisle Railway. Learn and sing songs to sing in harmony on this magnificent mountain railway. Accommodation in the Old School opposite the Hill Inn, Ribblehead near Ingleton. Workshops, railway walks, concerts, ceilidh, singarounds, meals, train tickets, and accommodation - £115 all inclusive.

October 27-November 3 - Slovenia - join a group of singers touring Slovenia meeting local choirs, learning Slovenian songs, with concerts, walks, sightseeing, meals, accommodation, transport etc. - £360 - plus cheap Easyjet flights from Stanstead to Ljubljana.  

November 30 - December 3 - Dent Folk Carols festival - join us in this ancient Yorkshire Dales village for a feast of carol singing - from old to new and from near and far - with workshops, concerts, singing walks, Christmas market, festive meals, pub singing, Slovenian carols, and single/twin/double rooms in village cottages from £12 per session - or whole weekend with accommodation and meals: £115-£140 - this year with a Sunday evening event and three nights accommodation if wanted. 

2013 - Choir visits to the Lake District and Slovenia. If you lead or sing in a choir and would be interested in your choir meeting local and visiting choirs here in the Lake District or in Slovenia - please get in touch. With enough notice we can usually arrange visits to suit your needs which can include songs swaps, workshops, concerts, meeting local and visiting choirs and singers, walks to sing in places of extraordinary beauty....even singing on Lakeland steamers and in vast caverns. Depending on your budget we can arrange meals and accommodation ranging from camping, through youth hostels and bunk barns, to luxury accommodation with twin and double rooms - from just £95 each for the weekend. Or join our regular mid-June Choirs Meet in the central Lake District. 

We also continue with our regular singing events throughout 2013 including our Spring Sing Thing Lakeland walk and workshop March 23, a harmony singing week on The Scottish Isle of Jura - March 29-April 5 , our Lakeland Songline 4 day walk through the Lake District May 24-27.......and many other events detailed on our website. 

Best wishes to you all, 

David

David Burbidge , Lakeland Voice,
Smithy Cottage, Farfield, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5LW, England. Tel. 015396.21166  http://www.lakelandvoice.co.uk  

videos of singing groups at  http://www.youtube.com/Davidburbidge and videos to learn songs at  http://www.youtube.com/Lakelandvoices

"And this shall be for a bond between us: that we are of one blood you and I; that we have cried peace to all and claimed fellowship with every living thing; that we hate war and sloth and greed, and love fellowship....and that we shall go singing to the fashioning of a new world." William Morris

Dear friends 

This our first Newsflash since the beginning of July. It seems a very long time ago. 

Welcome back! 

The new term starts on Monday 8th October and we'll be welcoming Matthew, our new musical director.   

If you possibly can please arrive by 6.50 so that we can start promptly at 7p.m. 

and then there's money....  Please please pay your fees. The committee is introducing a small adjustment to the fees system. This how it goes: there's an early bird discount for everyone who pays before the end of the 2nd week of term - the fees are £45(full)/£25(conc). Fees paid after the end of the 2nd week are now £50(full)/£30(conc). We'll email you details for making bank transfer. 

And just one more thing.... we haven't forgotten about the deferred AGM. We'll send information about it round by email next week 

See you soon 
Sally 

'Til we meet again ....

A Huge Thank You

to

All Harmonise Members

for

showing such generosity both to our community of singers and to one another.

You have turned up to sing in the street in all weathers – even once singing Xmas carols to no-one at all on a West End street corner one cold winter's night – you have offered cosy sitting rooms to practise or to party in – you've carried billboards and buckets full of cash all over Edinburgh – you've waited patiently – well, quite patiently – in the green room at the Queen's Hall to sing only 3 songs on stage at 11 o'clock at night – you've shopped for carloads of food - you've cooked any amount of chilli and pasta sauces – you've sung your parts over the phone to each other – but, best of all, you have sung the songs I have brought along with heart and soul on Monday evenings for well nigh on 19 years, lifting my spirit in a way I've appreciated more than I can say.

My gratitude is incalculable. Thank you, Harmonise. Jane xxxxxx

ps and thank you for your generous gifts and creativity last night ... the best ever party.

For Monday the 25th June 2012

Hello Harmonise,

A couple of notices.

 

 First, the concert of music by Brahms, Bruckner and Schubert that was to be performed at the Canongate Church on Saturday has been cancelled, as their conductor is unwell.   Nicola sends apologies and reassurance that they will be performing the same repertoire in November!

 

Secondly,  Both DVDs and CDs of our recent Friends and Family do will be available at Harmonise next week, both at a fiver each.  They will not be available to buy at the party on 1st July but can be got from Liz by contacting her during July.

 

Don't forget our end of year party on Sunday the 1st of July!

 

See you next Monday, Jane 

 

 

 

For Monday the 18th of June 2012

Hello Harmonise, since I'll be away from early tomorrow I'm posting this on Monday the 11th so apologies if I've missed something.

The DVDs of the concert are now ready and can be yours for the astonishing sum of £4.  If you haven't already bought one, bring your cash next Monday.  There will also be a CD with the songs on it and that should be ready for Monday the 18th.

For next week please print this.  (Please print two copies etc.).  It's the chorus for a song what I wrote which I hope you will help me to sing at the party on July the 1st.

The Cuban group, Musica Aurea, have a concert together with Songworks on 23rd of June. This should be a wonderful event.   Details are here.

Keep dry ... See you next Monday, Jane

Hello Harmonise,
Big thank you to all those who sang at and supported our singing at Loud and Proud's concert.  We acquitted ourselves well, despite being very small!!

Here's some sneak previews of the concert video for your edification ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qeUErnWoZY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6mL1RhIYY&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X89S8sUTUog&feature=relmfu

For next week, if you haven't got a copy, please print out Reconciliation here.  And look out your copies of Warm.  We'll start that for the whole choir next week, too.

For your diaries: 
David Burbidge has been in touch to say that 30 singers in the Cerknica Choir from Slovenia are doing a free concert in St Giles at 12.15 on Wednesday July 11.  They will sing a selection of songs from Slovenia - as well as some songs in English including the Irish Blessing, see   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhhGtmDE3MI 

David says "It would be lovely if you could join us. Could you let your fellow singers and contacts in Edinburgh know?"

Fee paying has been pretty painless for our treasured treasurer this term - just a few miscreants .. come on, pay up!!

If you want to know which songs were requested for this term, click here.

Sathanao are a terrific Georgian choir.  They are singing in Edinburgh this Wednesday the 16th, 7pm at St John's, West End of Princes St -- tickets are £12 on the door.

 See you on Monday, Jane

Thank you, Harriet, for this fabulous photograph.

gentle reminder

A  gentle reminder - for Monday - that it would be great if everyone can arrive in good time - and clutching cheques and cash for fees. 


Jane will be back from her travels and with us on Monday 7th 


Please let me know if you didn't get the email I sent round on 16th April. 


See you very soon 


Sally 

News about next term

Hello friends

I'm writing this to let you know about how we've got on with the interviews and the audition arrangements for the beginning of next term.

The interviews have taken place and two of the candidates were shortlisted to go through to the next stage i.e. the auditions.

These two candidates will each run one Harmonise session, one on the first Monday of term, 23rd April and the other on the following Monday, 30th April.

After this we will vote.

I' ll mail you with some more information about the auditions etc in the next day or so.

posted by Sally