There were nine of us again this month at the Lewes Arms, with some regulars away due to illness, holidays, Morris dancing and caring responsibilities, and including a new singer from Southease.
The weather was slightly cooler than the heatwave of the previous two weeks, but still quite warm as we switched up the seasons to start on our autumn and harvest songs. As usual we took turns to choose from the twenty I had suggested.
We warmed up with “Harvest Round” (to the familiar tune of Hey Ho, Winter Snow, it sounded lovely in four parts), then carried on with “Woodcutter’s Song”, “Lammas Carol” (by Alan Wheeler from our Chichester group), “On Sussex Hills” (our new singer was familiar with Hilaire Belloc so we didn’t need lengthy explanations), “Where Stormy Winds do Blow”, “One for the Rook”, “Parting Song”, (sung in the middle of the session because that’s what the next singer requested!), “Hard Times of Old England” and “All Among the Barley”.
During the break we discussed: Saltdean Lido (a small group took part in a short performance, plans for a larger, longer contribution possibly next year); Newhaven Fort, Brunswick Festival, Stanmer Park and Oldland Mill (all sadly cancelled for different reasons); Alfriston Clergy House (going ahead on September 26th with autumn and harvest songs); harmony workshops (interest in doing these in both Lewes and Worthing); and a planned singing tour of “painted churches” (Nick is already looking into this, and our new singer knows the vicar at Southease so they will collaborate taking this forward).
With glasses replenished we continued with “Pleasant and Delightful”, “Brave Eleven”, “Fields Lie Silent”, “Seasons Turn”, “Home Lads Home” (the first early outing this year for this beautiful but tragic tale of lost lads and horses from a Hampshire village in World War I), “My Downland Remembered” (another from our own Alan Wheeler about an ancestor who was transported to Australia for the theft of unwinnowed oats), and ending as we often do with “Thousands or More” (our new singer is very aware of the Coppers too, as one of her friends sings with the Young Coppers).
Our next session will be on Monday August 17th. New members are always invited to come along and try us out, with seasoned singers and complete novices being equally welcome. We’re a group who come together to learn, enjoy and share the songs rather than a formal choir with the expectations that can sometimes come with that. Come along for a free taster session any time, just bring your voice and your enthusiasm.
Tina
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