Amanda’s Blog – Week 10 – Performance Night

Another Opening, Another Show!

On a very hot night in the middle of July, the 19th to be exact, the Basingstoke Sing For Fun Choir remained cool and managed to perform their best ever show.  Well, that’s what my husband said and he’s seen a few!  Everyone looked splendid dressed in black and white and we managed to clap, count and sing, together.  I know a small group of ladies, who shall remain nameless, referred to a piece of paper which they had sellotaped to the back of the lady in front to ensure they clapped in the right place, but I wouldn’t call that cheating;  I thought it was a brilliant idea!  Now we have mastered clapping and counting at the same time I think we are ready for some synchronised swaying.

It was lovely to see a couple of ladies, who had attended previous workshops but were unable to come to the latest course, in our audience of well rehearsed family and friends.  Jane does manage to inspire our spectators into giving us the most generous reception even if it isn’t completely spontaneous.  But that is what Sing for Fun is all about, encouraging, supportive, sociable and happy.

I continue to surprise myself by doing things I would never dream of doing before, like presenting Jane with flowers and presents from her grateful group of singers, in front of our audience, and I didn’t even trip or fall flat on my face!  Sing for Fun continues to be a wonderful experience for me as I hope it is for all my friendly fellow singers.

Happy Holidays!

Amanda Frawley

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Amanda’s Blog – Week 9

5th July 2010

We familiarised ourselves with the large stage at Everest College tonight.   Jane placed us so that we looked good from an audience perspective, but as we are an undisciplined bunch I’m sure there will be further shuffling before we do the show!  As usual the shy retiring violets, like me, bagged the back row, and the braver blooms were happy to hog the front line.  I tried to sing without referring to the lyrics but soon realised that I did not know the songs as well as I thought.  As my view of Jane, who always mouths the lyrics, is sometimes obscured by a swaying front liner, I am determined to learn the words off-by-heart.  Watch this space…

Instead of pianos, it’s ping pong tables across London this year.  As I missed last year’s fun I am looking forward to singing in the capital and might add that I was a pretty mean table tennis player in my day!

I know some people will not be performing in our show, they will be missed, but I’m up for another evening of fun scattered with a small helping of nerves!  It’s a real pleasure to sing with such a pleasant, talented and cheerful group of people.

Sing and Ping.

Amanda Frawley

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Amanda’s Blog – Week 6

14th June 2010

Tonight I escaped the noise from the Vuvuzelas to enjoy the far more pleasant sound of people singing.  We started to learn Imagine by John Lennon, one of my all time favourites, mate, and I’m so excited about performing this song.  You can keep your World Cup; I’m looking forward to the sense of achievement I will feel after we have sung Imagine at our show.

Wendy has made me tea monitor for next week and I feel I have to warn you that me and machines are not a good mix!  The last time I was in charge of a Burco there was so much steam my hair went frizzy!  They are beasts, I will try my best, but it might be a good Idea to bring a flask.

Sing for England.

Amanda Frawley

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Amanda’s Blog – Week 5

7th June 2010

We are half-way through the Sing for Fun course, doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?  I will miss coming to the workshops in the summer and maybe we should start a support group for anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms!  It was bad enough missing a workshop last week, even Jane said she missed us!

I do like the songs we are learning, especially Song Sung Blue by Neil Diamond which I almost know off by heart.  The Bare Necessities by Terry Gilkyson is quite fun but we do have to learn a little clap routine which I’m having a bit of trouble with.  I seem to be clapping when I should resting and resting when I should clapping but I am sure it will be, ‘alright on the night,’ as the saying goes!  I also enjoy our little warm up routine where we are in groups and each group sings different numbers and words to the other. When we all sing together it sounds quite jazzy.  I’ve always enjoyed this sort of singing, it’s often in musicals and probably has a grand name.  If you know what this type of singing is called do come and tell me.  Sorry but there won’t be any prizes, unless you want to hear me sing and believe me you will not!

Sing in the Sun.

Amanda Frawley

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Amanda’s Blog – Week 4

24th May 2010

It was a little too warm at Sing for Fun tonight, even for me.  However, we did manage to get some relief from the heat as we sang Song Sung Blue by Neil Diamond outside.  It was a lovely evening, much cooler in the fresh air, and we even managed to sing without holding the lyrics as if our life depended on it.  I know some people were a bit uncomfortable as they feel a sense of security as they grip their words, but it does sound better when all our heads are up and not hidden behind the song sheet.  Jane always mouths the lyrics and I watch her like a hawk so that I feel confident I am actually singing the same words as everyone else!

I have just voted for Sing for Fun in the Barclays Business take one small step competition.  I know winning this support would help Jane and Craig spread the message further so that more people could benefit from the Sing for Fun experience.  I have to pinch myself to realise that I am not dreaming and do actually sing with a group of people, every Monday, without feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, and love it!

Sing for Fun everyone!

Amanda Frawley

You can add your support to the Sing for Fun bid here: https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/4348

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