Emily opened this month's session with more information about the "Stork Festival" (to be held in Storrington on May 5th) where some of us would be singing. She outlined suggestions for what we might sing there, for us to try in the session and help decide on the set list. For the most familiar songs on her proposed list she again encouraged us to set aside lyric sheets and sing from our memories and hearts.
We launched with "On Sussex Hills" and "Country Life" before the new season was celebrated in the "May Day Carol", "Hal an Tow" and "Summer is a'Coming In Again". We revisited "The Oak Song" with all the harmony parts - and agreed we were a little rusty on these so maybe not ready for singing it out on the 5th. The " West Sussex Drinking Song" took us back to firmer ground before we paused for a break. The second half opened with the " Stork Song", (written by Eileen S for the Stork Festival) which raised the roof with its tune and its message. "Farmers Toast" followed - after some debate about how long or short to make it, and opting to sing the version shortened by fewer choruses but including all the verses. At his request Alan W suggested we sing the "Rambling Comber" with reminders and support from him to ensure inclusion of the silent beats, not held notes, in some lines. "One For the Rook" and "Magpie" brought us to "Thousands or More" and then a couple of requests to finish, "It Is the First of May" and "Searching for Lambs".
And so we concluded, with Emily's song set tried and evaluated for our sing out in Storrington the next Monday, and all the songs sung in the session enjoyed in good company. We'll be back for more singing at the Barn on June 5th - with no doubt "Rosebuds in June" at the top of our next seasonal list!
No comments:
Post a Comment