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1. • CommentAuthorEliz
   • CommentTimeNov 9th 2009

    
   Come and join us for Finsbury Park’s very own choir. It’s new, it’s free and it’s on Wednesdays. We welcome everyone regardless of ability or age – we just want to get together and have a good sing-song!
   
   • Do you live or work near N4 and Finsbury Park Station?
   • Have you been told that you have a good voice?
   • Have you been told you haven’t got a good voice?
   • Do you want to feel reinvigorated at the end of stressful Wednesday?
   • Do you like singing in the bath?
   
   
   5.30pm – 6.30pm Wednesdays (Nov 4, 11, 18, 26, Dec 2, 9, 16). Come to the main gate and ask for Debbie. Rehearsals will take place in the Lower Hall at Pooles Park School, Lennox Road, Finsbury Park N4 3NW. For more details go to www.musicplatform.co.uk
2. • CommentAuthorcheckski
   • CommentTimeNov 9th 2009

    
   Could you tell us more about it, Eliz? What kind of stuff do you sing? Is it in parts? Do you read from music?
3. • CommentAuthorEliz
   • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009

    
   There's only been one practice so far so we're still deciding what to sing in the weeks ahead but some ideas include a Mozart opera chorus, a Motown classic, an Albanian song, a Gospel medley, a Somali alphabet song and a Turkish lullaby. The organisers say that "ultimately the repertoire is the choir members’ choice - so if you are desperate to sing a Led Zeppelin cover, Beethoven’s 9th or the Birdie song – come and stake your claim!"
   
   Most of the people at the first practice couldn't read music so word sheets are available. There's lots more information on the Music Platform website.
4. • CommentAuthorsophie
   • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009

    

   it sounds really nice and would be so convenient for me, apart from the fact that it's at 5.30. just an hour later i'm sure you would be able to interest a lot more people who can finish work between 5.30 & 6.

5. • CommentAuthorcheckski
   • CommentTimeNov 10th 2009

    
   Speaking for myself, 5.30 would suit me fine. Thank you, Eliz. I looked at the website, and it sounded great. I have rung and left a message, to find out more. See you there - maybe!
6. • CommentAuthorBernie
   • CommentTimeNov 14th 2009

    

   Too early for me - sounds great.

7. • CommentAuthorcheckski
   • CommentTimeNov 14th 2009

    
   No answer to my message, and I couldn't go anyway. Perhaps next week. I wonder how it went? Can you tell us, Liz?
8. • CommentAuthorcjg
   • CommentTimeNov 15th 2009

    
   I'd like to go, do you have to committ to every week, I can only make every other...?
9. • CommentAuthorEliz
   • CommentTimeNov 16th 2009

    
   I'm not one of the organisers (it was started by the Music Platform people) but I can pass on comments about the early start. Last week was good but it's still a smaller group than they'd hoped for so hopefully it'll grow as time goes on.
   Cjg, I don't think it matters if you can't commit to every week, it seems to be very informal and no one has allocated parts so it shouldn't make a huge difference if you can't make every session.
10. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeNov 17th 2009

     
    Thanks for that, Eliz. I plan to give it a go tomorrow, so see you there.
11. • CommentAuthorcjg
    • CommentTimeNov 17th 2009

     
    Brill, I can't come until the 2nd dec, but will be there then!
12. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeNov 19th 2009

     
    I went last night, and really enjoyed myself. Heartily recommended, to anyone who enjoys a good sing.
13. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeDec 1st 2009

     
    Sorry to see this thread has dropped to half way down page 2. I am pushing it back up to the top again to remind you that it's tomorrow night at 5.30, and to encourage you to give it a go, even if you have a low opinion of your singing skills.
    
    Will try and find time to tell you more about it later, or tomorrow.
14. • CommentAuthorkrappyrubsnif
    • CommentTimeDec 1st 2009

     
    Is there some way of finding out if you can actually sing or not, and what is your natural voice (bass, tenor, alto or whatever)? Whenever I try singing, my voice randomly switches its pitch. I imagine this must be horrible to listen to but for all I know it could be an easy thing to learn and control. I haven't sung since I was in the school choir, probably before my voice broke.
    
    It reminded me because I sang in Handel's Messiah (including the Hallelujah Chorus) when I was about 12, and I remember it being quite fun.
15. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeDec 1st 2009

     
    Everybody can sing, Krappy! Although I haven't been there long enough to know how Mark (the gaffer) proposes to help the wobbly ones. I don't think we've got as far as deciding what voice we are, although every now and again someone complains that it's too high, and the poor pianist has to try and transpose the stuff down. I know, because, as from last week, I am the poor pianist!
    
    Why not give it a try? There were about 20+ there last week, and I know 2-3 other friends are interested. Mark and his 3 assistants are lovely, and nothing has been very difficult, so far. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town; a simple little 3-parter from The Magic Flute; another Xmas song; and we started with a kid's round, of the Tony Chestnut type.
    
    As much as anything, I like the community aspect of it. Music Platform is the name of the organisation that organises things, and they are based at Poole's Park School, just off Fonthill Road. They do lots in school as well, and for starters the choir will be joining in with an informal event at the Union Chapel, at 6, on Monday 14/12, I think.
    
    All for now.
    
    See you there!
    
    Mike.
16. • CommentAuthorvickym
    • CommentTimeDec 3rd 2009

     
    Would love to get involved, but have kids and could only do evenings after 8......
17. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2010 edited

     
    Sorry to drag this thread back up to the top again. Just to remind you that we're off again tomorrow, and that all are welcome - they really are. Note change of time, though: 5.45 - 7.15.
    
    www.musicplatform.co.uk.
    
    ...if you want to know more.
18. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2010 edited

     
    Thanks, Andy (see next post) - edit achieved
19. • CommentAuthorandy
    • CommentTimeJan 12th 2010

     
    We are Ninja

    there's an edit button

20. • CommentAuthorADGS
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2010

     
    I dispute the idea that 'everyone can sing', offering as evidence 1) Ian Brown, formerly of the Stone Roses and 2) myself.
21. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 13th 2010 edited

     
    I was a music teacher for 40 years, ADGS. It sometimes took a bit of time, but if a child really wanted to, they ended up singing in tune.
    
    As for adults, I can't tell you the number of times they tell me they are tone deaf. Tone deafness is in fact rarer than colour blindness. Many people have been traumatised by cruel, stupid music teachers, who in the past would put droners in the back row, and tell them to mime, instead of offering them help. Most of the 'tone deaf' I come across turn out to be just fine, if I can persuade them to sing a note or two to me. They have been spooked by what music education used to be , in most schools. Either that, or they had none at all.
    
    Did you hear the Today programme on R4 this morning? There was a discussion about the health-giving properties of singing, which is as effective as going to the gym - and more fun, imo. A lot of research has been done by the Voices Foundation and the London Institute of Education. Try googling, if you'd like to know more.
22. • CommentAuthorADGS
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2010

     
    I do enjoy bellowing along, it's true. I just tend to make sure I'm somewhere loud enough that nobody can hear me before I attempt it. Although I did once participate in Bill Drummond's choir project The17
    http://www.the17.org/
    and that was quite moving.
23. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2010

     
    All I get from that link is a picture. Care to tell us more?
24. • CommentAuthorADGS
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2010

     
    Click on the pic.
25. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2010

     
    Blimey. I don't know what to make of all that. I found a Guardian article about it, which might interest others:
    
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jul/25/billdrummond
26. • CommentAuthortosscat
    • CommentTimeJan 14th 2010

     

    Ta-da!

27. • CommentAuthorMills
    • CommentTimeJan 18th 2010

     
    Hi folks. I shall probably pop along on Weds. I've sung in choirs in the past but am very out of practice, so may just hum quietly at the back!
28. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2010

     
    Good. See you tomorrow, then, Mills. I'll be the bloke at the piano - do come and say hello. Don't worry about the state of your voice - we are not the BBC Singers -yet!
29. • CommentAuthorMills
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2010

     
    Brill. I have been wanting to join a choir for a while, and since you are so kindly rehearsing less than a minute's bike ride from my house, it would be rude of me not to join this one!
30. • CommentAuthormiss annie
    • CommentTimeJan 19th 2010

     
    I'd love to come and have a bellow but I help out with the local Brownie pack on Wednesdays. Do let us all know when you have any performances.
31. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 21st 2010

     
    I hope you enjoyed yourself last night, Mills. Sorry I didn't have time to chat - next time perhaps, if you come again.
    
    As for performances, Miss Annie: we haven't been going very long, so I imagine concerts/performances will be for the future. Will certainly let you all know if we get that far - not that it's up to me - I'm only the piano-player!
32. • CommentAuthorSlabber
    • CommentTimeJan 31st 2010

     
    I have been banned
    Of course it's free. Who's going to pay to be in a choir?
33. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJan 31st 2010

     
    Yup, it's free - and still very enjoyable, I find. So does one of the regulars, who last week said that singing the chords at the end of Any Dream Will Do was the highlight of her week! I think Mark was rather chuffed.
    
    Mills was there again, and seemed to be enjoying herself. She said she was going to come back here and tell you all, but she must be busy, so I have beaten her to it.
34. • CommentAuthorHopping Mad
    • CommentTimeFeb 1st 2010

     
    where does this singing group meet? and is it on this weds?
35. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeFeb 1st 2010

     
    See original post for details, Lottie. Only change: start time now 5.45, and finish at 7.15. Yes, it's on this Wed. See you there!
36. • CommentAuthorMills
    • CommentTimeFeb 7th 2010

     
    I keep meaning to come back on and say how much fun choir has been. I've gone the last three wednesdays and had an ace time, except when I got locked in the loo last week! Do come along!
37. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeMar 10th 2010

     
    The choir now has its own website:
    
    http://www.poolesparkcommunitychoir.org.uk.
    
    Tonight, 5.45 - 7.15.
    
    All welcome.
38. • CommentAuthorPru
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2010

     
    I checked out the website and it says there's a concert on 23rd March - that's next Tuesday. I emailed them but got no response: is it really a Tuesday when the regular date is Wednesday? And is it the same time and place?
39. • CommentAuthorEliz
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2010

     

    Yes, the concert is on next Tuesday 23rd (at 5.45pm in the usual place) even though the choir usually meets on a Wednesday. The children from the Poole's Park School choir will be singing as well so it's not just the adult choir this time.

40. • CommentAuthorAneta
    • CommentTimeApr 14th 2010

     
    Come and join Finsbury Park’s very own choir. It’s new, it’s free and it’s on Wednesdays starting Weds 28th April. We welcome everyone regardless of ability or age – we just get together to have a good sing-song! The choir made its debut at a Christmas concert in Dec 09 at the Union Chapel, has just performed its second and is gearing up to perform its third - at the Union Chapel on 13th July 2010.
41. • CommentAuthorAneta
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2010

     
    Unfortunately we have to cancel the community choir rehearsal today.
    We're really sorry but we're extremely overwhelmed preparing for a big concert tomorrow at Royal Albert Hall.
    
    Mark&Aneta
42. • CommentAuthorAneta
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2010

     
    Dear All
    
    Just a quick note to say that there will be no rehearsal today (May 5th) – but – that we now have the schedule for the rest of this term.
    For more details go to www.poolesparkcommunitychoir.org.uk.
    
    Best wishes
    Mark&Aneta
43. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJun 17th 2010

     
    3 wonderful new singers have joined the choir, and 2 of them expressed an interest in SG.org, so I thought I'd revive this thread.
    
    Last night we had a look at Summertime, and a beautiful Cole Porter number, but for most of the session we are hard at work on 3 numbers from Carmen. Great stuff.
    
    All welcome. See above, for details.
44. • CommentAuthorMiriam
    • CommentTimeJul 29th 2010

     
    Hello fellow choir singers.
    
    When does the next term begin? Unfortunately I missed both the concert (had to work late) and the get together yesterday evening (trying to finish an OU assignment) so I'm completely out of the loop! Looking forward to getting back into it in September though.
    
    Have to say, I've really enjoyed the choir despite initial nerves about not being able to sing terribly well and would recommend it to anyone thinking of coming along next time - come on, the more people we have the less anyone notices when one of us goes a bit wonky ;)
    
    x
45. • CommentAuthorcheckski
    • CommentTimeJul 31st 2010

     
    Hello, Miriam. Good to hear from you, and to see such a wholehearted recommendation of the choir. I enjoy playing the piano for it too, and generally being one of the gang. They're a great crowd.
    
    Has Mark (the gaffer) got your email address? He usually lets us know at the last minute. The school reopens on 6/9, if that's any guidance. If you want to contact Mark, go to the choir's website (see above).