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.
