Tag Archives: workshops

Gospel Workshop: a fun filled afternoon

Posted on February 27, 2011 | 1 Comment

I arrived at the village hall at 2pm to find a queue at the door! As we arrived we split into sopranos and altos (the women), and tenors (the men). Apparently gospel music doesn’t really accommodate basses – they simply extend their upper range with a bit of practice! There were a few male basses in the choir and they took up the challenge! To help us along there were six singers from the Oxford Gospel Choir: two of each voice.

We started off with some warm up exercises, testing how high, and how low, we could go, then straight into our first song, Freedom is Coming. It had simple lyrics and we concentrated on learning the different harmonies and in a surprisingly short amount of time we had learnt the whole song! We also practised how to move: lots of stepping side to side, finger-clicking and clapping.

After that came three more songs: Shackles, which you may remember from the charts in the 90s, sung by Mary Mary; Bless Me (Prayer of Jabez), a gentle and expressive song; and If you confess the Lord, an upbeat number with a really rousing finale. After a well earned coffee break (complete with scrummy cake), we went back over the songs again and surprised ourselves (and perhaps also the members of the Oxford Gospel Choir) at just how well we remembered them.

Half past five soon rolled around and we joined our audience in the seats while the Oxford Gospel Choir showed us how it is done, singing a few of their wedding numbers (including a fab rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours). It was then our go and we turned out a pretty successful performance of the four songs we had learnt. If you’re interested, you can see us performing two songs on Youtube: If you confess the Lord and Shackles.

Does this sound like fun to you? Lizzie Butler is starting up a Blewbury Gospel Choir. The first rehearsal is at 8pm on Thursday 10th March in the new Pavilion at the recreation ground. Although the songs are based in Christianity, you don’t need to be a church goer (in fact people of any faith or no faith are all welcome), you simply need a bit of enthusiasm. Perhaps we’ll see you there?!

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Gospel Music comes to Blewbury!

Posted on February 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

Ever wanted to sing in a gospel choir? Can’t read music, but love singing? Just want to have some fun?

Come along on Saturday 26th February from 1-5pm when Blewbury will be hosting a workshop with the Oxford Gospel Choir at Blewbury Village Hall. At 5:30pm there will be a mini-performance – all are welcome to come and see what we’ve been learning throughout the afternoon.

During the workshop, we’ll be learning a few songs together and discovering how to create that uplifting gospel sound. The teaching style is call and response so no need for sheet music – you’ll need your hands for clapping! No singing or musical experience necessary, just plenty of enthusiasm! All ages welcome.

The workshop is being kindly sponsored by the Blewbury Players.

This event has been organised with a view to starting up our own gospel choir in Blewbury. To sign up for the workshop or register your interest in the Blewbury Gospel Choir please contact Lizzie Butler:
Email: lizzie.butler (a) hotmail.co.uk
Tel:07903 863469 or 01235 851581

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February Update

Posted on February 2, 2011 | 1 Comment

Peter Pan Workshop

Sunday 6 Feb. 1.30 – 5.00, Methodist Church. The director Garth Bardsley is running this workshop for anyone who would like to audition for his new comic adaptation of Peter Pan to be performed in July. We want lots of people, experienced or not! Ages from approx 8 to 80+.

Garth’s adaptation of Peter Pan will be guided by what happens at the workshop and who comes – if you can’t come to the workshop you will still be able to audition, but it will help Garth if as many potential cast members as possible, of all ages,come to the workshop. All you have to do is prepare something, very short, that you can stand up and perform eg a few lines from a play, film, TV programme, book, a poem, limerick, nursery rhyme, or a song (pop or opera or anything in between).

If you  would like to come to the workshop you should contact Chris Lakeland.

Please note that there is no parking at the chapel but if anyone wants to have a light lunch before at the Red Lion, you could park there.

Auditions will be on Sat 26 and Sun 27 March. – more news in the next Bulletin.

Blewbury: A Song for Europe

As you saw in the last edition of the Bulletin the countries taking part have now been nominated. The composers are all hard at work and hopefully the creative juices are starting to flow…not a pretty sight but needs must.

After years of failure it is to be hoped that the UK entry can stand a chance of winning. Retaining the Ashes and news of the Royal Wedding has given the country a real boost but this is nothing compared to the outpouring of national pride that would take place if the UK could win this coveted contest. Can the UK entry win? Can we bring back those halcyon days of “Congratulations”, “Puppet on a String” and “I can only eat half a sausage”….

Blewbury: A Song for Europe, 19th, 20th & 21st May at Blewbury Village Hall. Box Office Opens April 2nd – Be there and see history in the making!!!

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