“May was full of promises, but she didn’t keep ’em quick enough for some.” Oscar Hammerstein II
From my window I can see a Japanese Maple shimmering in the slight breeze and I’m reminded of Sakura a haunting Japanese melody about the coming of spring that we’ve sung many times.
I don’t want to tempt fate, but things are slowly beginning to look more promising.
From the choir’s point of view the time when we’ll be able to meet for in person rehearsals still seems a long way off, though the wonderful Zoom rehearsals, led by Rufus and Judi, will continue until we can all meet to sing together.
In the meantime, we’re looking forward to being able to meet our friends in parks and gardens, initially in groups of six, then after a couple of weeks the number goes up to thirty.
Finally, from June 21st provided all limits are off, we’ll be back singing together at Grovehill We’re planning a big welcome back picnic in Leavesden Country Park as soon after that date as weather permits (fingers crossed).
Later in the year we’re making a return visit to Ludlow, where we toured in 2018, for a choir weekend away from 3rd to 6th September. We’ll be staying in self-contained cottages in the beautiful Shropshire countryside and are looking forward to sharing 3 days of music, fun and food.
Depending on when we can meet again to rehearse, we hope to run at least five sessions before we break up for the summer on July 20th. We are planning an open ‘Come and Sing’ event on the afternoon of Saturday 11th September. It will be free and you will be most welcome to join in. Look out for more details nearer the time.
Singing in choirs is wonderful. There is a lot of evidence that it’s good for health, wellbeing and making new friends. Recent evidence suggest that it also may help speed recovery from long Covid.
As someone who’s just starting her ninth decade and didn’t dare to sing in public till she was in her sixties, I can certainly attest to that. There’s quote from Henry Ford which goes ‘Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right’. I’d like to add ‘If you’ve been told (sadly often by a teacher) that you can’t sing, they’re not right’
Whatever your level, if you’re an experienced chorister or an absolute beginner, you’re welcome to join us. We’ll be giving the opportunity for you try us for free when we restart rehearsals. Our membership is around 100 so you will have lots of support.
What do we sing? Everything from early music to bang up to date, from solemn to secular, from Bach to the Beatles, and beyond. The one thing we don’t tackle are the major choral works, everyone gets a chance to sing all the time!
For information about us, how to become a member and our activities, visit www.dacorumcommunitychoir or click on our Facebook page for news and photos.
For more information see www.dacorummunitychoir.org, our Facebook page (Dacorum Community Choir) or call 07890288859.
