Tuesday, November 27, 2012

No Snow - AGAIN!! Yahoo.

We had our now annual outing at Cambrocourt in Embro last night.  We love going there to sing after the big Christmas dinner.  Maybe that is why our audience is so very mellow.
Family of four sitting at a Christmas Dinner table

We asked the crowd to tell us how we are doing as we are now almost 3 years old.  As we sang, the crowd was more than willing to sing along with the carols and they were wonderful.  What great singers they are!

It was decided that we have indeed come a long way from our very first singing gig at Cambrocourt.  We did sing a number of challenging pieces this time as well as carols so they did get to hear our abilities for sure.

One lady who plays the keyboard was just thrilled to watch our Kristy play.  She was so impressed with Kristy's talent and well she should be.  It is wonderful to have people who really "get it".

All in all it was a lovely evening and we have not had a repeat of that nasty snowy first Cambrocourt event.  One of our audience reminded us of that snowy night and we were thrilled to see clear skies continue as we sang.

Thanks all of you at Cambrocourt.  We love being with you.


Tonal Tuesday - You Too Can Dance

On Tuesday, we talked about how being in a choir is good for you.


Performing whether in a group or by yourself can be scary no matter how many times you have done it.  This character is supposed to be a mechanic by trade.  What a great way to show that anybody can have fun and learn something new.

I remember when our daughter and her pals decided to do a skit to "Old Time Rock and Roll" and our caretaker agreed to come in first and last sweeping the floor.  What a good sport and it was just the touch that made the performance perfect.  Did he think he would ever be performing in the lip sync contest when he signed on to work in the schools?  I bet not but he did and changed forever.  He still remembers that time.

Brent's courage and willingness to step out of his comfort zone really made a difference.  It made a difference to all who were a part of that day.  Did he know that at the time?  Oh no.  But he did it anyway.

One of the great things about Embro Thistle Singers is that we don't require auditions and we are willing to help each other learn to read the music and get better at what we do.  We have some very capable musicians and some who just love to sing and are willing to learn.

You will never know until you try.  It is up to you to do something that is on that "bucket" list right now.  If it is singing in a choir, then we are your place to be.  Come on out and sing a tune or two with us.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Fun Friday - Glee Flash Mob

This took place in Seattle.  They were so lucky it wasn't raining.  Check out the guy eating supper from a tin foil and the lady who hands off her baby and starts to dance.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Off to Feed the Wizard

Embro Thistle Singers are always looking for opportunities to help and to make a wee bit of money to buy more music.  The Embro Thistle Theatre asked us to provide the snacks for the preview evening.  Our choir  can really bake up a storm when asked.  We had brownies, cookies, gingerbread, squares, Dutch pound cake (Attie it was gone first!) and so much more.

Glen and John came to help and they were awesome.  We made the coffee and set out the goodies and then had to wait until the interval for the people to come.  As we waited, we watched the munchkins come through, Doug in a really cool green suit and tiny green top hat perched on his head, our Elaine as a the wicked witch as well as the nasty Miss Gulch and other assorted characters and backstage people traipse through from one entrance to the other.
Still of Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz
Elaine was a much nastier looking witch.  Oh yeah.

The only major problem seemed to be that the Tin Man's hat had been taken home for fixing and hadn't come back.  They had a spare funnel which they used.  Apparently the person responsible for the hat, was in the audience and realized the problem when the Tin Man came onto the stage and immediately left her seat to go home and get the hat.

We had many generous people who filled our tins with change and bills and we really appreciate their generosity.  John was the master of the tongs for getting people's goodies.  Glen and I used napkins and got quite adept and not squashing the cake and brownies.  We left goodies for the children in the cast to have after the performance.  They had come in looking longingly at the yummy goodies and we promised to save some for them.  We hope they enjoyed their treats after a grand performance.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tonal Tuesday - Take a Dose of Choir & Call Me In the Morning

I remember when our grandsons were quite young, they LOVED the High School Musical movie and sang the songs all the time.  This was the most successful Disney movies ever launched.  It has the high school kids all singing and dancing and having a grand time.  Even all the jocks sing and encourage others.

This song "We're All in This Together" is really what it's all about.  There were 2 sequels to this one as well that were equally popular.  Why do you think that was?

Now, there is a television series, Glee, that is all about the high school Glee Club.  Mind you there are lots of plots and subplots but the basis is music.  There are many arrangements available from the Glee show and they aren't half bad.

In this video, the actors talk about how they came to enjoy the people and the music they got to experience.  They loved the "chemistry" that was created.  Listen to what they say about being friends with the people they sang and danced with for 3 years.

Singing in a choir is totally an amazing experience.  Our daughter brought me an article from a Boots' magazine that says that singing in a group is psychologically and physically beneficial.  It brings people together and gives them a sense of achievement and boosts self-esteem.  It also helps you to focus your mind on something other than your everyday worries.  And the bonus is that it gives your lungs a good workout.

This singing thing turns out to not only be fun but good for you.  So being in choir is like the spoonful sugar that Mary Poppins suggested.  It really helps you to be well and maybe it will be all the medicine you need.

All together now, "Silent Night".


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Singing for Moonlight Madness

The mandate of Embro Thistle Singers is to be of service to the community.  We fulfilled that again tonight as we sang before the lighting of the Christmas Lights by the citizen of the year, Wayne Campbell. 
We sing with gusto.

Kristy plays even when frozen.

What a good looking group

We are singing in front of the gazebo.  Although in the pictures it looks bright, it was anything but.  Music was tricky to read for sure.  Thanks Barb for the clip on light.  Brilliant in more ways than one.

One more time.

And then the lights went on.


Well done ETS.  Once again you are top notch.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Tonal Tuesday - Boys Too!!

Gareth Malone is amazing.  The choir and orchestra sing first in Royal Albert Hall in London.  I need not write any more as you MUST listen to the comments made after the performance and read the written comments below on YouTube.

These opportunities are SO very important.  Isn't it exciting to know that such wonderful moments are occurring?

Friday, November 9, 2012

Fun Friday - Whole New Sound

This choir is from South Africa and their sounds are very unique.  If you read the comments below the video you will see that apparently other groups have adopted this style.  Great compliment.


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tonal Tuesday - Just Because

Our regular readers will remember that we talked about The Magical Hat of Confidence and the Military Wives choir.  These women, wives and girlfriends, were left behind while their soldiers were deployed on various missions.  Gareth Malone set out to start a choir to help the women have another focus and it has caught on like wild fire.
The original choir performed at the Olympics opening and their first single, Wherever You Are, became a top hit.

Here the many choirs which have sprung from the original idea are singing Stronger Together.  I love watching Gareth conduct.  He cares so much.  What is your favourite part?

Friday, November 2, 2012

Fun Friday - I Believe

This is footage that is part of the BIG VOICE project.  This is a movie about how important singing in a choir is to students.  The film is being made by a lady who has never been in a choir or conducted one.  She is coming from a place with no preset notions.

I can't wait to see the finished product if this video is any indication.