13 singers attended the Chichester Inn for the May SDFS get together.
With the appearance at the Chichester Fringe evening approaching, Alan checked that all had received the latest copy of the proposed programme that we would be performing and said that this evening would concentrate on any material that was planned that people felt a little uncertain about.
With that in mind, the evening opened with the well-known "Country Life" which everyone sang lustily without the aid of words – a good morale boosting song! "Hal and Tow" followed with a reminder that everyone should clap together just once at the beginning and that it would start with a chorus, again a great rendition by all. Alan invited Julia and Nichola to perform their intended solo song "The Holly King and the Oak King" to great acclaim by all, who agreed they performed it beautifully and it was a really good song. The newly introduced "Rambling Comber" with full harmonies followed. It was agreed that in order to get an appropriate “gap” in the lines, that the preceding word needed to be lengthened to two beats. That seemed to keep the group together at this point. "Summer is a Coming in Again" provoked a seasonal discussion about Spring flowers and after a further rendition of Julia and Nichola’s song, so they could practice, the group discussed the logistics of meeting up for the Fringe event. It was decided to meet at the Canal Café at 6.30 pm and to wear the usual “corporate” colours for the SDFS of blue, green and touches of yellow.
Following a well-deserved break the group re-convened for the second half of the evening, with Alan asking for requests, either from the planned Fringe programme or any other songs that people felt needed a rehearsal. Steve A requested "Searching for Lambs" (to be sung at the Fringe). This was sung confidently with Alan commenting on the particularly nice harmonies introduced by Amaryllis and her group. "Bee Boys Song" requested by Nichola came next incorporating the suggestion by Dave G that there be not too much of a “swoop” in the opening notes. Dave G suggested "Lammas Carol" and it was decided this was best sung not in “polka” time as suggested once by Mick Ryan to Alan! Henny asked for ""Sugar Wassail" which went well. Steve A aided and abetted by Alan read the poem "Sompting Shearer’s Beer" which gave rise to a lively discussion about pubs in Sompting!
"When Spring Comes In" suggested by Lyn followed. At this point Henny wondered if Alan had a plan in case the set “over-ran” the allotted time for the Fringe performance. Alan assured her he did and it may mean leaving out some material but he would judge on the night. Further discussion about whether to have men only singing "Turmut Hoer" followed with separate men/ladies split. It was felt there were enough men involved to carry this. Dave G requested that the group sing "Fields Lie Silent," with particular request that it not be sung too slowly. The evening finished with a discussion about starting notes for the last item on the Fringe Programme – Dave G’s hearty rendition of "Golia". It was essential that all should be able to successfully join in the responses. With a start note of B, this was successfully sung as a finishing flourish to another busy singing evening at the Chichester Inn.
Anne Sartain
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