WELL, THAT WAS INTERESTING...!
We kicked off the evening with our warm-up and a sneaky little taster of a song that's heading our way soon. Don't panic though – we're going to take it very gently and ease ourselves into it!
The arrangement is Conga Rhythm, made famous by Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine. I have a few copies of the score available to buy at £2 each (first come, first served), and the words will be added to the website over the next few weeks for everyone else.
For now, these are the only words you need to get stuck into:
Rhythm is gonna get you, rhythm is gonna get you, Rhythm is gonna get you,
Rhythm is gonna get you tonight!
Rhythm is gonna get you, rhythm is gonna get you, Rhythm is gonna get you,
Rhythm is gonna get you tonight! Tonight!
Rhythm is gonna get you tonight!
There are lots of performances on YouTube if you'd like a listen, but I thought I'd share this one for a laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GRGWLe1yUw
What do you reckon? My eyes are watering at the thought of adding the choreography! Don't worry though – any dancing will be entirely optional...
Sometimes it really does take stepping outside your comfort zone to discover something new.
I was genuinely amazed at the difference in The Chain when we sang it while moving around the room. The improvement was remarkable, and it was even more obvious when we returned to our usual places and sang it again. It still sounded good, but there was definitely something special happening when we were moving.
I've seen this approach used many times by one of my favourite groups, the Gaia Music Collective. If you're on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, do have a look. They're a wonderful collection of people from all over the world, with all sorts of musical backgrounds, coming together to learn beautiful arrangements and create the most incredible harmonies. They're almost always moving while they sing, and there's such a sense of connection and freedom in their performances.
We worked hard on the first section of The Chain this evening. It may feel repetitive at times, but I think it's really important that we lay strong foundations here – feeling the spaces, listening to what's happening around us, and allowing "the music to become something no individual voice can create alone" (see last week's notes!).
Basses: let's focus on that jump upwards when the Tenors sing "and if you don't love me now". One step at a time.
Tenors: we're going to keep working on the flow of those opening "oh-oh-ohs". Try letting your bodies sway a little and relax into the sound. The less you overthink it, the better it tends to work – easier said than done, I know!
After the break, we cracked on with You Are The Reason, focusing on the ending.
Have a listen during the week if you can – we're so nearly there now. We've just got that tricky lead-in to the "boy band" section to master (bar stools at the ready!), but it's sounding really lovely.
I know this can be quite an emotional song to sing, but you're in a safe space and surrounded by friends who will always support you when needed. I know I can count on you all, just like You Can Count on Me...
In fact, let's give that one another outing next week! Dig your words out if you have them, and I'll bring some spare copies along.
We finished the evening with the opening section of Summertime in the hope of bringing some of the warm stuff back, and if the weather forecast is to be believed, our glorious sounds may have allowed our wishes to have been granted. It looks as though the sunshine could be making a welcome return later this week.
Fingers crossed!
See you next week. B xx