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The
Launch: 7 December 2002
Today
is the launch of Sing Live North East, a day I have been looking
forward to for a long time. What the day will bring I wonder? Will
I have to stand up on my own with all eyes watching and practice
my scales? Will I be the only person to show up? Will there be hundreds
of females and a solitary male? So I drive to Jesmond in the pouring
rain filled with trepidation, humming songs from the musicals as
I go.
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| Lorraine
Craig |
On
arriving at Jesmond I am pleased to see that other people are already
here. Everything is very organised and I am handed my music pack
and name badge, and sent off to the church to meet the rest of the
group. As I enter the church it is so quiet that I think I have
come to the wrong place and have just rudely burst into a sermon.
The silence doesn't last long however!
As
an unexpected 'getting to know you session' we are asked to pose
for photographs for the local newspapers. If only I had been more
organised, I would have had my hair and make-up done, instead of
showing up dressed to brave the elements. The photo sessions certainly
help to break the ice, and we all cram together to get our faces
in 'The Chronicle'. Those of us lucky enough to get a front row
seat are punished for the privilege by having to sit still on cold
marble slabs.
I had forgotten how good it is to be able
to sing loudly with a group of people  |
Now
the fun begins. We are taught to stand correctly - my mind wanders
a bit as I try to picture if my knees aren't above my feet when
I stand up then where would they be? Then some breathing exercises
and we are encouraged to yawn loudly to free space in our lungs.
The pianist strikes middle C and we are off, I had forgotten how
good it is to be able to sing loudly with a group of people. No
fear of solo scales here as we all do exercises to determine our
voice type. I am an Alto 2 and put into a group with other 'low'
women.
The
atmosphere in the group has already changed and we applaud each
other's efforts when we sing 'One Day More' from 'Les Miserables.'
After a lesson in creative visualisation (I am a French revolutionist
and I am angry) I feel that already I can sing the song in a different
way, and to my untrained ears I think we sound pretty good. Any
passer-by will certainly be able to hear these people sing!
The
next song has an altogether different mood and we all cope with
the change to mellowed-out 60s dudes singing the 'Rhythm of Life.'
Today
has been a great taste of things to come, and I am very much looking
forward to the next meeting. The sense of fun in the group is already
apparent and I think this will help with all the hard work that's
ahead of us. Roll on Thursday.
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