Twelve stalwart singers came out on a hot June evening to a fairly quiet venue, where we entertained those that passed through on the way to sit in the outdoor spaces. A topical political song by Steve A got everyone in light hearted mood for the start as Alan explained that he had selected songs to practice that hadn’t been sung recently plus a couple for review by the group.
"Sussex By the Sea" with alternative words by Amaryllis started the practice proper – due to be sung the following day at Parham House Sussex Day. "My Downland Remembered" followed, including the requested extra verse to lengthen it which everyone agreed went well. Alan introduced a possible new song, "England for Me" by local musician Dave Toye which in fact had been on the SDFS website for quite a while. The group quickly picked this up and thought it would make a good addition to the set lists. His second introduction "Bold Reynolds" by the same writer, the group thought not suitable for choir singing. "Bee Boys Song" with discussions about the technicality of bee-keeping followed and the first half rounded off with "Brighton Camp" and finally "The Loyal Lover", a lovely popular song.
Following well needed refreshment, the second half of the evening continued with "Ebernoe Horn Fair" (a must to sing at the forthcoming Petworth House booking as Lord Egremont of Petworth presents the prizes at the fair). "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun" plus a new song introduced a month or two ago by Dave G - "Summer Is A Coming In Again". The latter much appreciated by all present. Following the idea of singing “old” original songs from the early days of the choir at the forthcoming ten year celebrations in Worthing, "The Cruel Mother" was fairly quickly abandoned but followed by the more eagerly sung "Three Drunken Maidens" (from the Isle of Wight) which Steve W agreed to put on the “songs to try” part of the website. As a final flourish before heat exhaustion set in, the group sang "Pleasant and Delightful" without a single set of words to be seen!
Anne S
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