winter singing safari attracts over 40 singers

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Following the success of last summer's Singing Safari at Jimmy's Farm just outside Ipswich, Chris launched a winter version on 17 January. Over 40 singers turned up to learn a bunch of songs over six weekly sessions.

Since it'a bit cold to perform outdoors at this time of year (!) the Singing Safari concert will take place at St. Peter's by the Waterfront, Ipswich on Saturday 25 February at 7.30pm. The Singing Safari choir will be supported by local women's acappella quartet Way Beyond the Blue.

Tickets are £5 (£2 under 16s) available on the door, from St. Peter's or by phoning Chris on 01394 610 486.

If you missed out on the winter Singing Safari, don't worry, Chris will be running a summer version to perform at Jimmy's Farm on Saturday 21 July.

three new residential weekends for 2012

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Chris has just announced three brand new residential weekends for 2012. These are new ventures for him in places that he's not worked before.

Two of the venues are in the North West which makes them more accessible to those who've attended his workshops in Sheffield, Manchester and Bury. The third is closer to home on the Suffolk/ Norfolk border.

Each weekend has a distinct flavour. In April there is Sing yourself free in harmony heaven, a chance to fine-tune and develop your voice and harmony singing skills no matter how experienced you are.

In July there is Singing for all: a weekend in harmony, a fun workshop for anyone who loves to sing in a slightly more affordable youth hostel in the Lake District.

And, back by popular demand, in November is ABBAcappella, a whole weekend of ABBA songs in the Derbyshire Peaks. Not 'just' pop songs, but clever and relatively complex songs offering a challenging but rewarding weekend of singing and learning.

All bookings through Chris please and not direct to the venues. If you think your choir might be interested in any of these, contact Chris and he can send you some fliers and posters.

inter-faith choir perform for Mayor of Ipswich

Monday, 21 November 2011

40 singers from a wide range of backgrounds came together to build a choir from scratch to perform at the Mayor's Celebration of Community on Sunday 20 November. In just one day, Chris taught six songs in the original languages from several different faiths and traditions.

Squeezed into the Council Chamber of Ipswich Town Hall, the songs were scattered throughout the afternoon event which consisted of several short presentations about various projects in the city. At the end, Chris had the whole room on their feet joining in with a wordless Jewish song. Together with moves!

One of the hardest songs tackled (because of the language and unfamiliar scales) was Ghandi's favourite Hindi devotional song Raghupati Raghav Rajaram. The choir was complimented afterwards on their Hindi pronunciation which rounded the day off wonderfully.

singing safari a great success (and no rain!)

Monday, 25 July 2011

Chris's first Ipswich Singing Safari performed on Saturday at Jimmy's Farm to a huge and appreciative audience. The rain held off and 50 keen singers turned up in brightly coloured tops to blast their way through the eight songs that they had learnt over the previous six weeks.

 

The audience definitely wanted more at the end of the half hour set, so Chris taught them all a song, and then the Singing Safari ended with a reprise of the South African song Shosholoza.

The Singing Safari was such a success that Chris will definitely be repeating it next summer, and also adding a winter version in January. Make sure you contact Chris to go on his mailing list to stay informed of this and other singing and performing opportunities.

50 singers turn up to join this year's singing safari

Saturday, 18 June 2011

We managed to squeeze 50 singers into the Co-op Education Centre's Pioneer Hall last Tuesday for the first of six sessions to build a choir from scratch to perform at Jimmy's Farm.

It was great to see so many keen people — many of whom had never sung before — especially a large contingent of blokes! We learnt three whole songs in two hours (not including the Pachalbel canon warm up) and filled the room with gorgeous harmonies. It was loud!

If the idea of joining in with the fun and performing up to nine harmony songs at Jimmy's Farm appeals, then it's not too late to join. Follow this link to find full details of the Singing Safari which meets every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in Ipswich.

singing safari sets off in June

Friday, 22 April 2011

After five years of creating a choir from scratch for the Warwick Folk Festival, Chris is bringing his Singing Safari to Ipswich.

Over six fun-filled two-hour sessions, Chris will teach a range of songs from across the globe, all arranged especially for voice and all in three or four part harmony. The Singing Safari will then make a half hour appearance at Jimmy's Farm during one of their busiest times of year: Saturday 23 July, 1pm.

The Singing Safari is open to anyone who loves to sing (and perform!) regardless of experience. No need to read sheet music as all songs will be taught by ear. Make sure you're on the mailing list to stay informed. Rehearsals start Tuesday 14 June in Ipswich and run for six weeks. There will also be a rehearsal on the morning of the performance.

the ok chorale is not taking on any new singers

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

With almost 100 members, the ok chorale is now closed to new members for the foreseeable future. Only existing members may apply to join us again after the Easter break. Sorry, but there really is no more room!

If you're desperate to sing, you can join me at one of my monthly Saturday workshops in Stutton (just south of Ipswich), or Thurston (near Bury). See the workshop dates page for further details.

I am also planning to create a choir from scratch over six weekly evening sessions in Ipswich to perform on music day of the Ipswich Festival on Sunday 3 July. Details are still being worked out. The project is called the singing safari. Make sure you're on my mailing list to be kept informed.

fun night at the ok chorale

Monday, 31 January 2011

Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather at last Thursday's first meeting of the ok chorale! I had hoped for around 20 singers to turn up, so was totally gobsmacked when over 100 appeared!!!

We quickly outgrew the small room I'd hired (it was like being on a tube train in the rush hour), but fortunately the hall next door was vacant for one night only. We re-assembled there and had great fun doing silly warm ups and tackling three great songs.

With luck, most people will have enjoyed it and will come back this week to our new venue:

Kyson Primary School
Peterhouse Crescent
Woodbridge IP12 4HX