VIRTUAL CHOIR
A few technical hitches last night but Karen and I will attempt to solve these in time for next week. I shall do some experimenting with my mic levels between now and next time although I have to tell you I’ve always been a great fan of the Daleks. So that we can maximise singing time together I would start entering the meeting at 7.20 pm for socialising and tech issues so that we are ready to sing at 7.30. (Don’t forget the buttons probably towards the bottom of your computer screen which will allow you to enable the sound and video).
As promised I am attaching a number of MP3s for “Ode to Joy” – four separate ones emphasising the individual harmony parts and one with a more balanced sound. I hope they are more useful than they were last night. Do your homework and join in a nationwide singalong on Friday (see below)
CHOIR BUDDIES
For those of us who were online last night, it was lovely to see everyone waving and smiling. As we all know, several choir members are not able to do this for whatever reason. Think of those who you saw on-line and those you didn’t see. If you don’t have contact details and think they might like a phone call or whatever, just email us and we can see if we can put you in touch. A sort of Choir Buddy system. And don’t forget, you can use your Zoom app to contact anyone else in the choir if you’d like to stay in touch with friends over the week.
NHS BIG CHEER
There will be another rousing cheer and hand clap for the NHS and other front line workers at 8.00 p.m. this evening – Thursday.
AND READ ON … on Friday (17 April) at 5.00 p.m. the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain will be staging a nationwide effort to bring music to communities kept inside their homes. The NYO is inviting every interested musician in the UK (and that, of course, includes all of us) for a mass performance of, what else but Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” as a gesture of solidarity in a time of distancing. At 5 o’clock on the dot, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s 164 musicians will throw open their windows, “get out on their doorstep,” and present a 40-second rendition of the famed Beethoven piece joined, I hope, with EVERY member of the Shaftesbury Community Choir.
MORE JOLLY THINGS
Angela (alto) would like to bring to our attention to the Great British Singalong at 0900 on Thursdays. It is available on BBC Radios 1, 1extra, 2, 6, the Asian network and BBC sounds
THINGS TO DO IN ISOLATION
Don’t forget This is Alfred. You can listen to a brand-new programme each day on www.ThisIsAlfred.com.
And I have just come across something called the Social Distancing Festival, a site celebrating arts from all over the world, showcasing amazing talent, and coming together as a community at a time when we probably need it more than ever www.socialdistancingfestival.com
TONY HAWKINS
It seems likely that Tony will be transferred to the Westminster Hospital in Shaftesbury sometime over the next few days. Richard, Tony’s son, writes:
Each day Dad has been sounding a little stronger and a bit more like his old self. …. It seems very likely that Dad will still be in isolation for a period after transferring,… It’s also possible that the Westminster won’t allow any visitors at all due to the risk of visitors bringing in the virus, at least for the first week after he is admitted. We’re hoping at least to be able to wave to him through a window! But just being nearer home will make it easier to get things to him … The staff on Spire ward where he now is have been wonderful and caring like all the rest of the awesome NHS staff who have looked after him these last four weeks.
Keep well, keep in touch, keep on singing and, with luck, see you Wednesday.
David