We had our second rehearsal last night for the Black Voices performance. The Festival Chorus is now about 50 strong, made up of local people – some of whom, like me, haven’t sung in public since they were in the school choir. So far the project has surpassed my expectations. Even by the end of the first rehearsal we did sound quite good (if I say so myself) and last night there was one piece which just made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck – incredible for a bunch of rank amateurs!
Celia and Carol are brilliant, very patient and you can just tell by the look on Carol’s face whether it sounds good or bad, like Andrew Lloyd Webber on the west end reality show auditions! Celia on the other hand can hide her feelings a bit better, although even she can’t help wincing when we first start practising and it sounds like a car crash! One of them said last night, don’t look so worried, you’ve got the right notes … it was very tempting to add the Morecambe and Wise line of …but not necessarily in the right order!!! However its just bizarre that then 20 minutes later it starts to sound good and then give us a bit longer and it almost sounds professional.
There was one wonderful African song last night, which had such a super bass line that you just wanted to let them get on with it and listen. We could still do with a few more men though – even though the ones we have are excellent!!!
Thanks Black Voices for making this so magical
