I am conductor and musical director of the Hamilton Chorale as I have mentioned before and we did our first 2010 concert series this last weekend.
Virgina Gallagher was invited to review the concert, by the editor of the Raglan website and this is her review:
Review
Hamilton Chorale at Raglan Union Church, Saturday 1st May 2010
A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Union Church on
Saturday 1st May for a concert by the Hamilton Chorale. Entitled
Celtic Weavings, the programme consisted of music with a Celtic theme.
The music was an interesting mix from Ireland, Scotland and Wales,
some of it well known, and other pieces new to the audience.
The opening bracket, under the heading ‘Call to Celebrate’ was bright
introductory music, John Peel and Comin’ Thro’ the Rye were
particularly memorable. In the next bracket ‘In Quiet Moments’ the
tempo was more relaxed and highlighted the choir’s versatility. Then
the audience was invited to participate, and soon all were joining in
with Loch Lomond and Annie Laurie.
The next bracket ‘Lassies and Laddies’ gave the different sections of
the choir a chance to come to the fore. In several numbers for ladies
voices only, the careful blending of three parts was a joy to listen
to. The men particularly enjoyed their solo numbers; in ‘The Star of
the County Down’ they kept up a cracking pace, much to the enjoyment
of the audience. More sing-along with slower numbers My Love is Like
a Red Red Rose and Danny Boy. Once again the audience sang with
gusto, although some of the higher notes were beyond some audience
members!
The final bracket ‘The Old Country Calling’ reminded us that many in
the church that day have Celtic roots, and could relate to the
beautiful music that has become so well known in New Zealand. The
masterful arrangement of ‘I Know Where I’m Going’ was particularly
memorable, and the rousing ‘Molly Malone’ brought the most enjoyable
concert to an end.
Ably assisted by accompanist Elisabeth Murray, the conductor Julie
Jackson-Gough should be very pleased with this concert. She succeeded
in blending the 30 strong choir into a group that was a pleasure to
listen to. The imaginative addition of the ladies’ coloured scarves,
representing Scotland, Ireland and Wales, enhanced the Celtic theme.
It is a pity that more people did not come out in the chilly autumn
weather to hear this capable group of singers. Hopefully, they will
come to Raglan again to perform.
Virginia Gallagher
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A special note from one of my Hamilton Chorale singers
Hello Julie
I need to let you know just how much I am enjoying being a new member of The Hamilton Chorale. I have wanted to join for some while, but due to other commitments have been unable to do so until this year. I can't wait to get there each week, then I am so 'high' when I get home I can't sleep. You are teaching me so much & that I am hugely grateful for, as I can then pass on this knowledge to a small group that I help out with at a retirement village. I have enjoyed singing for many years but felt that I was stuck and really not going anywhere, so you can imagine my joy at the wonderful things I am learning at each practice. I just feel thanks to your efforts that my voice is improving. Thank you so much.
Kind regards
Pat Simpson
I need to let you know just how much I am enjoying being a new member of The Hamilton Chorale. I have wanted to join for some while, but due to other commitments have been unable to do so until this year. I can't wait to get there each week, then I am so 'high' when I get home I can't sleep. You are teaching me so much & that I am hugely grateful for, as I can then pass on this knowledge to a small group that I help out with at a retirement village. I have enjoyed singing for many years but felt that I was stuck and really not going anywhere, so you can imagine my joy at the wonderful things I am learning at each practice. I just feel thanks to your efforts that my voice is improving. Thank you so much.
Kind regards
Pat Simpson
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Singing for Continuing Education over 60's group
On Tuesday March 30th I went and took a 1-hr singing session with nearly 300 people in this group. I thought it went well, but asked for some formal feedback from the co-ordinator of the group. This is what Fiona Griffith sent to me:
Amazing ! Thought provoking! Interactive! Stimulating ! Entertaining! These are just a few of the words that spring to mind when reviewing the session “Singing keeps you healthy” lead by Julie Jackson- Gough.
The research was fascinating and with just sufficient background and balance necessary to inform the group of the experts' findings.
There are few sessions that we run where achieve 100% audience participation- however this was one. Julie’s sense of humour and the selection of a few well loved songs ensured that the group left the venue in noticeably high spirits.
The responses, feedback and words of praise to Julie are evidence of how well the lecture was received.
Learning in this session was fun and invigorating especially for the over 60’s group. And not one person fell asleep!
Amazing ! Thought provoking! Interactive! Stimulating ! Entertaining! These are just a few of the words that spring to mind when reviewing the session “Singing keeps you healthy” lead by Julie Jackson- Gough.
The research was fascinating and with just sufficient background and balance necessary to inform the group of the experts' findings.
There are few sessions that we run where achieve 100% audience participation- however this was one. Julie’s sense of humour and the selection of a few well loved songs ensured that the group left the venue in noticeably high spirits.
The responses, feedback and words of praise to Julie are evidence of how well the lecture was received.
Learning in this session was fun and invigorating especially for the over 60’s group. And not one person fell asleep!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Project 2
The project that involves setting a choir up at the Ryman Healthcare Edmund Hillary Complex in Auckland is still waiting on an Auckland tutor. The advertisement that I sent for the graduate students at Auckland University to consider got stuck with a faculty member who was on leave. It has now been posted to the graduate student email list and they have until March 20th to respond to me.
In the meantime I am able to put more head-space into project three, which is my Hamilton Chorale, and sort out the May 2nd/3rd concerts in Raglan and Hamilton. They are on a Celtic theme, and we are having a lot of fun working out what some of colloquial words are in the songs. Having resident Scots and Irish helps, also those who go away to find out.
I have an article due on April 1st about the 8 - 80 concert project, so that will keep me busy until March 20th at least. It has made it easier that the writing up is not overlapping with the setting up of project 2.
In the meantime I am able to put more head-space into project three, which is my Hamilton Chorale, and sort out the May 2nd/3rd concerts in Raglan and Hamilton. They are on a Celtic theme, and we are having a lot of fun working out what some of colloquial words are in the songs. Having resident Scots and Irish helps, also those who go away to find out.
I have an article due on April 1st about the 8 - 80 concert project, so that will keep me busy until March 20th at least. It has made it easier that the writing up is not overlapping with the setting up of project 2.
The Choirs report on the amazing experience of the 8 - 80 Concert
I have held the two focus groups and the children and the Glee Club have all reported positively about the whole experience, including unanimously wanting to do it all again next year.
When I asked the girls, as a final question, if there was anything that they didn't like, it was the heat. Nothing to do with their buddies in the Glee Club:
here are some responses from the Rotokauri Tuis
"I enjoyed getting to know just one person in particular which made me feel comfortable any time I saw them.
“ They made me feel really comfortable, I enjoyed their kindness, and they were basically complimenting our singing every minute.”
"I enjoyed going to see where they lived, getting to know about them and about their lives"
when I asked the Tuis if they thought differently about older people now that the project is completed, they said:
“ They don’t sing like old people” “ I like how they were being kind”
“They’re really talented” “ I liked talking to my buddy and answering her questions”
“They sounded great singing” “ I liked hearing about their life and stuff, and about their place”
“ I Liked hearing the songs that they sang”
S0 what did the Glee Club think?
“Talking about the relationship between the children and us, it was the most wonderful experience, I enjoyed it immensely.”
“I think there was a remarkable rapport between the children and us, it was a most memorable experience for all concerned, the Tuis and us.”
“I thought that it would be chaotic, but in the end I found it to be quite something, to be matching our older voices with the young voices. I liked it”
“I thought it was a very profitable experience. I enjoyed seeing their conditions and them seeing us. I like the way the children adopted us and looked after us. One of them after the concert brought her mother to meet me.”
“I felt, at first, that it was going to be a bit of a shambles with the children so excited, and they were going to be, you know, dashing around madly with great excitement, but when it came to the actual time, they just pulled themselves into line. And I think their exuberance, really. We took up their exuberance with our singing”
“My personal opinion about going out to the school and singing with them, on the day we made the concert was: It helped me as far as breathing goes. I learned to breathe a little faster and better with the children, to keep up with the children. I found I was dropping back a bit in the slow state, so those children gave me a little bit of extra ‘oomph’, and nothing but delight in having them with me anyway”
I am receiving email responses from the parents, so that will be a future post.
When I asked the girls, as a final question, if there was anything that they didn't like, it was the heat. Nothing to do with their buddies in the Glee Club:
here are some responses from the Rotokauri Tuis
"I enjoyed getting to know just one person in particular which made me feel comfortable any time I saw them.
“ They made me feel really comfortable, I enjoyed their kindness, and they were basically complimenting our singing every minute.”
"I enjoyed going to see where they lived, getting to know about them and about their lives"
when I asked the Tuis if they thought differently about older people now that the project is completed, they said:
“ They don’t sing like old people” “ I like how they were being kind”
“They’re really talented” “ I liked talking to my buddy and answering her questions”
“They sounded great singing” “ I liked hearing about their life and stuff, and about their place”
“ I Liked hearing the songs that they sang”
S0 what did the Glee Club think?
“Talking about the relationship between the children and us, it was the most wonderful experience, I enjoyed it immensely.”
“I think there was a remarkable rapport between the children and us, it was a most memorable experience for all concerned, the Tuis and us.”
“I thought that it would be chaotic, but in the end I found it to be quite something, to be matching our older voices with the young voices. I liked it”
“I thought it was a very profitable experience. I enjoyed seeing their conditions and them seeing us. I like the way the children adopted us and looked after us. One of them after the concert brought her mother to meet me.”
“I felt, at first, that it was going to be a bit of a shambles with the children so excited, and they were going to be, you know, dashing around madly with great excitement, but when it came to the actual time, they just pulled themselves into line. And I think their exuberance, really. We took up their exuberance with our singing”
“My personal opinion about going out to the school and singing with them, on the day we made the concert was: It helped me as far as breathing goes. I learned to breathe a little faster and better with the children, to keep up with the children. I found I was dropping back a bit in the slow state, so those children gave me a little bit of extra ‘oomph’, and nothing but delight in having them with me anyway”
I am receiving email responses from the parents, so that will be a future post.
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