Last night the last of my new projects for this year got off to a flying start. Another community choir for a regeneration project that's been happening in the Mourne Mountains. We met at Tory Bush Cottages - if you're ever looking for a self catering place to stay in this area this is beautiful. 
27 people showed up on a freezing cold night (it was 5C last night! What is going on? 1st June) and they made a really good sound. I had gathered together lots of mountain themed songs with simple harmonies and my favourite of all - rounds. Lots of African pieces have made their way into my repertoire in the years since I started leading groups for singing and they make a fabulous instant harmony that makes all the singers feel good.
Community choirs are wonderful. They're informal and the repertoire is often more folk based and taught by ear. There's no audition process as the ethos is that they should be all inclusive so they're a great place for building strength in your voice. And while there are high and low parts, the focus is not on soprano, alto, tenor, bass, and for this one anyway, which isn't performance based, it's relaxing for people to sing for an evening, enjoy a cup of tea and a chat and go home again without worrying about practicing, learning words, or dressing up (for them anyway). The age group last night ranged between 35 and 75 and it looks like it'll be a fun group. We're running for the four Mondays of June and possibly another four weeks later in the Autumn.
Driving home through the mountains the moon was full and spectacular. I tried a couple of quick photos on my phone. Will definitely remember to bring my camera with me next week - I"m still not much past pointing and clicking but it is such fun.
What is it about the full moon? It's so awe inspiring, or just plain inspiring. I cannot look at it without thinking about the people who would have lived here 1000 or more years ago - I wonder were they scared of the moon? No wonder they worshipped her. I would like to learn to take good moon pictures.
Where were you watching the full moon this month? Actually just thinking about it, will we have a blue moon this month? We may well do.
Isn't it a strawberry moon tonight? I know nothing but someone just posted something on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteVery dramatic scenery but, yes, terrible weather. I cracked and lit the fire last night! x
I'm lying wrapped in a blanket - too lazy to go and get logs ... but it's definitely the night for it. I must check the strawberry moon reference - I don't know much about these things either but it sounds good,
DeleteOoh the choir sounds great! I'd like to sing in a choir but committing to one regularly is hard with school, and I use my voice all day for school, I often lose it. Was recently asked to sing with a good choir in London and oh poo , your post has reminded me I haven't replied to the e-mail-aaaaaaaa must go and do.that!!!!! The moon is a wondrous thing x
ReplyDeleteSome community choirs will let you come and go without being there every week Kezzie - it might help your voice for teaching ... I'm dying to hear about the choir in London though - a big choir would be fabulous if you didn't have to direct it lol
Deleteor if one, i.e. me didn't have to direct it I should have said ... not you personally - you know what I mean ... sleep talking here lol
DeleteWish we had something like that here. Haven't sung in years since my ex choirboy hubby assured me I couldn't. I certainly see full moons. Shines right in my bedroom window at night. Can be a bit of a nuisance at times. You made me think of the Moonrakers. I can't remember the legend now, will have to go google.
ReplyDeleteThere must be one near you somewhere Jo - most of the people who come to my choirs have been told once upon a time that they couldn't sing - which is utter rubbish ... but don't start me ranting lol wy don't you start one - get a group of you together and just print out songs and sing them together - go from there.
DeleteChoirs are so much fun to be a part of.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful drive back with the full moon lighting the way.
My community choir is on hold as our poor choir leader has been taken really ill - but hopefully when she has made a full recovery it will be back in the autumn. I too think looking at the moon draws us nearer to our ancestors - they had so many wonderful stories to make sense of the things they could not really understand - it truly is an object of great beauty :)
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful way to portray the full moon day. After joining as a research paper writer in one of the leading buy research papers online website, i am not having any enough time to relax myself as like the one which has been explained here. But,if any one has the chance to relax themselves like this means, then really they are the lucky persons in the world.
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ReplyDeleteI think the weather is crazy for June right now. The ferries were disrupted because of high winds yesterday which is virtually unheard of at this time of year!
ReplyDeleteI love taking photos of the moon as well. There's something almost magical about seeing it and like you I always wonder what people hundreds of years ago must have made of it. The fact that it changes so much from one night to the next must have made it seem vaguely scary and mystical.
Hi Fil - love the mix of music .. and yes the full moon is always glorious to see ... we can get huge ones here over the Channel - when I come in over the Downs - the creamy coloured huge orb looks stunning ... so pleased you're enjoying all your projects .. and it is crazy ... today is warm and muggy and those thunderstorms are going to roll in across the Channel - I hope they wait til late tea time!! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteLovely shot of the moon, and hoping that your weather warms up a bit.
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