28 singers gathered, with Emily returned to lead us, for our April session at the lovely Sussex Barn. We welcomed a new face to the fold - and hope that Sarah will enjoy more sessions with us in the future. Sadly it was Jan's last session before her move, but we were glad she had found time from all her packing to come and sing with us.
After some introductions, and brief reminders from Henny about the next few public events on our calendar (Petworth House being the first of these on April 12th), we launched into "Country Life". Emily urged those of us who have been singing this song for months if not years, to avoid referring to lyric sheets whilst we sang (with dispensation given to any newcomers to the songs)! This 'rule' carried over for "Rosebuds in June", "Pleasant and Delightful", "The Nightingale" and "Green Grow the Laurels" - all of which were sung with increasing confidence and enthusiasm, perhaps boosted by finding how well we managed without the support (or distraction) of song books!
Some song books reappeared for the next few songs - starting with "Hares on the Mountain". There was discussion about the interpretation, pace and volume of this song, reaching some agreement on it being better if sung briskly and brightly but with the second line of each verse a little softer than the first. "Lark in the Morning" also provoked discussion, again, about which version we should use, the variations in the words and how best to scan the timing of some lines. The 'Coppers' version' was the one selected to sing, albeit with some characteristic SDFS tweaks within it! "Searching For Lambs" concluded the first half of our session - with little or no discussion but our usual enjoyment in singing it.
The break included the some delicious chocolate cakes generously made and brought by Jan as her farewell - many thanks Jan and we wish you well in your new home! Thereafter we resumed singing with "Jim the Carter Lad", including whip-cracking hand claps to punctuate the chorus. Then "The Cuckoo" - with more discussion, this time about the additional verse (now available on the SDFS Blog) and also about holding the note on some words and at the end of some lines. Emily mentioned she has another verse to add, if liked, which she will bring for us to try at a future session.
We took a pause from singing together to hear Emily sing "The Stork Song", created by Eileen S, for use when a group led by Emily perform at the 'Stork Fair' event in Storrington on May 5th. With Emily's guidance we sang it through and will do so again at next our Barn session on May Ist - May Day! Alan then suggested and supported work on the "Rambling Comer" to include all three parts, which are gradually bedding in. To conclude the session we invited Jan to choose a song - and we sang "Ladies Go Dancing at Whitsun", it being one of her favourites..
Bon voyage Jan and thanks all.
H.
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