Today was the Euphonix Community Choir end of term concert, always a highlight. We sang in the Kingston Workman's Club where we sometimes rehearse, and because we wouldn't have a captive audience as we do in The Rose Theatre Cafe, we thought we would help things along by doing a little busking in Kingston first in order to drum up an audience (apart from regulars who come - family and friends).
Our rehearsal went fairly okay but it was the first time with the band and that always creates a few minor problems. Suddenly we are having to compete with them and we lost our notes in a couple of songs. I'm a firm believer in 'it will be alright on the night' and it usually is. This time we had a four piece band - drummer, base guitarist, keyboard player and a saxophonist. Singing with a band is wonderful and we can widen our repertoire.
After rehearsal there was time for a quick cake and a slurp of water before I joined a small contingent, without the band, to go busking. We started off in The Bentall Centre (in indoor shopping mall in Kingston) and soon gathered a sizable crowd. As well as advertising ourselves and the concert we were collecting for Water Aid. We sang four songs including Barbara Ann and Da Do Ron Ron, after which we set off to the main pedestrian street away from the other buskers and sang three or four songs there. Then it was back for the concert. We had a nice sized audience and all the songs went well. Everyone seemed to enjoy us. My favourite number from this year has been Rolling In The Deep, the Adele number. I just love singing it and we do it well now! Other songs included Down By the River, When I Walk Down The Street, So Happy Together, Signed Sealed Delivered, the songs we sang when busking and a Hit The Road Jack Mash-up.
Term has official ended, though we have slot on 2nd August to wave off the hand cyclists in the Prudential Cycle event. That will be an early start as we need to be in Kingston just after 8am on the Sunday morning!
Singing really does have a way of making you forget everything else in life. While we were busking there was a guy standing with one of those boards advertising where to buy burgers. I always feel sorry for those guys out in all weathers and bored to death (and probably on minimum wage). He was standing quite near us and he had a smile on his face. I'm so glad we were able to lift him with our songs for a few minutes. Music - nothing can beat it.
Our rehearsal went fairly okay but it was the first time with the band and that always creates a few minor problems. Suddenly we are having to compete with them and we lost our notes in a couple of songs. I'm a firm believer in 'it will be alright on the night' and it usually is. This time we had a four piece band - drummer, base guitarist, keyboard player and a saxophonist. Singing with a band is wonderful and we can widen our repertoire.
After rehearsal there was time for a quick cake and a slurp of water before I joined a small contingent, without the band, to go busking. We started off in The Bentall Centre (in indoor shopping mall in Kingston) and soon gathered a sizable crowd. As well as advertising ourselves and the concert we were collecting for Water Aid. We sang four songs including Barbara Ann and Da Do Ron Ron, after which we set off to the main pedestrian street away from the other buskers and sang three or four songs there. Then it was back for the concert. We had a nice sized audience and all the songs went well. Everyone seemed to enjoy us. My favourite number from this year has been Rolling In The Deep, the Adele number. I just love singing it and we do it well now! Other songs included Down By the River, When I Walk Down The Street, So Happy Together, Signed Sealed Delivered, the songs we sang when busking and a Hit The Road Jack Mash-up.
Term has official ended, though we have slot on 2nd August to wave off the hand cyclists in the Prudential Cycle event. That will be an early start as we need to be in Kingston just after 8am on the Sunday morning!
Singing really does have a way of making you forget everything else in life. While we were busking there was a guy standing with one of those boards advertising where to buy burgers. I always feel sorry for those guys out in all weathers and bored to death (and probably on minimum wage). He was standing quite near us and he had a smile on his face. I'm so glad we were able to lift him with our songs for a few minutes. Music - nothing can beat it.
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