All posts by AshSG

Cheese & Wine, Silent Film Night

More Cheese? Wine not.

Mystery. Suspense. Murder..

No, this is not a description of one of our choir rehearsals – rather, our silent film night – which this year entertained the good folk of Herne Hill as part of their 2017 music festival. It was loads of fun as always and of course, 1920’s film night requires 1920’s outfits! (The band had special dispensation to wear fezzes). Don’t ask.

Lodger 17 B
Thanks to Diana for the pic.

Silent film night really has become a bit of a Camberwell institution. We don’t think any other community choirs do this kind of thing. Don’t miss the next one in 2018! Speaking of not to be missed…

CheeseTUESDAY
14th NOVEMBER
is choir wine and cheese night. You are cordially invited to bring your favourite smelly cheeses, crackers, nibbles and wines to our now legendary soirée.
We always need a few extra bits and pieces such as chopping boards etc – see our choir social page on Facebook for the latest list or just ask at a rehearsal.

Please Note – St Giles’ were hoping to host a short concert beforehand at 6.30pm which would have been free for community choir members but it’s been cancelled due to illness. It’s probably for the best as wine was due to be served there too… See you on the 14th!

New Term, Silent Film Night

The Lodger Returns!

Three years ago we accompanied Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Lodger’ in a live screening in St Giles’ church.

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Starring Ivor Novello, it’s one of Alfred Hitchcock’s first films as director and is set in the London of the roaring 1920’s. At night, lurking in the fog, a serial killer known as “The Avenger” is on the loose. When a mysterious man arrives at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Bunting, suspicions begin to arise…

It was such a success we’ve decided to screen it again but this time, as part of Herne Hill Music Festival. Yes – we’re taking it on tour! We’ll be learning some new songs for it as well as some old classics – but it’s a tall order as the screening will take place on Sunday 15th October at 6pm. Our first rehearsal back is on Tuesday 5th September so it’s going to be hard work…

But fun! If you’ve never performed during a live film screening, come along to some Tuesday rehearsals and see what you’ve been missing. If not, why not come along for the show? Tickets and further details are available here.

Recordings

A Midnight Special

Camberwell, ’round midnight, in a large victorian parish church on a damp evening in early May…

Choir record

We were busy recording our favourite songs!

In advance, all three choir leaders had tried to warn choir members just what they were letting themselves in for. Intentionally near-forgotten tales of recording CD’s with various bands and orchestras came to light. Horror stories of the 50th take still not being right. Stuffy, unbearably hot recording studios with water coolers without any cups. Agitated people wandering around aimlessly wondering when it will all end…

Of course, these apocalyptic warnings were all brushed aside by the choir and our recording session, led by our lovely sound guru Cassandra, was as smooth as anyone could have dared hoped. And when the wine came out we sure made a night of it!

Apart from the odd siren and noisy tea urn – we had a clear run and got some amazing takes. It’s all in the choir member’s area – enjoy!

End of Term

Spring Break

We’re on holiday now – we start back on Tuesday 25th April at 7.45pm.

Thanks to everyone who came to our joint choir concert – we had a great time in Waterloo. It’s always good meeting other choirs and listening to what they’re up to.

Choir Pub
Here’s evidence from the pub afterwards – just after singing our own unique version of ‘Happy Birthday’ in 10+ parts?! Happy Easter to everyone!

Concerts

Next Gig

We’re teaming up with Kennington Community Choir, Oasis Waterloo Community Choir and the Kenningtones (awesome name) for a concert on Tuesday 28th March at 7.30pm. You’re more than welcome and it’s free – see poster below. We have naturally selected a pub afterwards.. See you there!

Choir concert Oasis 28 March 2017

Cheese & Wine

Q. What music does cheese like? A. R & Brie…

Yes – cheese and wine night is approaching again and this term we’ll be dedicating Tuesday 21st of February to our celebration of all things cheese & wine. Actually you can bring anything – nibbles, beer or whatever you fancy and come along to sing and make merry.

Just don’t be late – I camembert people who are late… (promise that’s the last one).

Also – Choir leader Aga, Ros Walker, Carmel Boylan, Becki Cox, and Claire Macmillen have signed up to do the NUTS Challenge – a ridiculously tough, muddy obstacle course in freezing-cold March. It will be painful but it’s all for a jolly good cause – a charity called Child Rescue Nepal. They’re part of a big team called Team Saltus.

The team will be accepting donations so if you can give a few quid, not only will it help vulnerable children in Nepal, it will help them get through the mudbath that little bit faster. You can read about the charity and about the NUTS challenge on JustGiving – links below – they all have fundraising pages, so feel free to share the love!

Ros’ Story            Carmel’s Story                Claire’s Story

Thanks from Team Saltus!

  

New Term

Happy New Year!

Don’t you just hate people who claim they are constantly busy and complain that they never have any spare time? If so – being around any of the choir leaders in December 2016 must have been a bit distressing. It’s even worse if you actually are one – our conversations have been bordering on Monty Python’s 3 Yorkshiremen at times.

Anyway – on the plus side of all that we had some Christmas fun. We started off with Carols at King’s – Hospital that is – and performed at their Christmas Carol Service.

choir-at-kings

Coming off the back of silent film night, we blew the dust of Coventry Carol and ‘O men from the fields’ and they sounded fantastic.

The week after was the 9th Carols ’round Camberwell – on tour – if singing at Peckham Rye Train Station counts. It was a good one this year – it didn’t rain! But it was also really good to support Health Poverty Action, the charity we were raising money for. Check out our special mention here!

grand-union-choirChoirs throughout London were helping raise money through carol singing and we raised £250. Along with 34 other choirs, the final total was £5,877.66 in a week – an awesome result.

Not all choirs squeeze into pubs as part of their carol singing. After the station, we found ourselves in the Phoenix, Grand Union, Hermits (and Theo’s), Stormbird, Tiger and the Old Dispensary.

After all that, lots of you came along to Organoke and St Giles’ Carols by Camberwell – that really was a busy weekend! And it continues…

First Choir Rehearsal of 2017 will take place on Tuesday 17th January. In advance and if you’re a choir member – click here for something exciting!