Fourteen singers (equal numbers male and female) joined us at the Lewes Arms, including five new singers (and a dog) with four brought along by existing singers, and one having contacted the website. As always, our introductions at the beginning found other connections and shared interests. Many of the songs tonight were our lesser-known and seasonal ones for the upcoming autumn and harvest months so several people were coming to them new or after not having sung them for a year which made it quite equal for everyone.
We warmed up with the easy 4-part “Harvest Round” and then others from the same season “One for the Rook”, “Fields Lie Silent” and “All Among the Barley” and the beautiful and reflective “Life of a Man”. This was followed by the jauntier “Brighton Camp” with a reminder that we use the plainer tune without the “twiddly bits” that are found in some versions, and discussion followed about the location of the camp at Whitehawk Hill and its appearance in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. We ended the first part of the evening with the sad but inspiring “Brave Eleven”, the true story of a shipwreck off Shoreham Beach.
In the interval we discussed events past and present and were pleased to find we already have the numbers to go ahead at Saddlescombe Farm and Lewes Priory by Candlelight, both of which have been delightful locations in previous years.
We continued with “Lammas Carol”, “Seasons Turn” (with the reminder to emphasis “oh this is the one I love best” in each verse), “Loyal Lover” (collected by Lucy Broadwood, with a delicate and unusual meandering melody in the chorus), the contrasting bawdy “Three Maidens” (which I still can’t sing with a straight face no matter how hard I try), by popular demand “On Sussex Hills” with some glorious and balanced harmonies, then another old favourite “Shepherd of the Downs” before drawing the evening to a close with “Come Stranger, Come Friend” with further lovely harmonising.
As I left the pub three of the chaps were settling down to sing and play some jazzy numbers on the guitar which lives at the pub. It sounded great but sadly my bus was due, so I had to leave them to it!
Our next session will be on Monday August 18th. New members are always welcome to join us, whether seasoned performers or new singers. Drop us an email if you want to know more or just turn up on the night.
Tina
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