Harmonise - NewsFlash

For Monday the 30th of January

2012-01-23T11:29:00.014Z

Hello Harmonise,
A resounding response to my plea for fees. Big thank you! - especially from Jane.

Please note that the concert on Friday the 23rd of March and the practice on Friday the 16th of March, are not at St Augustines, they are at St Peter's church hall in Lutton Place. We have held Friends and Family events there twice before.

This time we decided to donate to three charities, which are The Place2Be, Lothian Early Onset Support Service and the Bhopal Medical Appeal. We will divide the total money available equally between the three.

For Monday, please remember to find out how many tickets for the concert you want. Everyone who wants can have 2 tickets - but if you'd rather not sell tickets, it means people who want more than 2 can have them.

Songs are coming along well. Last Monday we sang Willie's Rare, with Jane singing verse 1 and a group of 8, 4 sopranos and 4 altos, on the second verse. Please remember who you are for 2nd verse - I didn't make a note!!

We also sang Tibje Pajom, Breath Be Our Unity, The Irish Blessing and Somos Pueblo. Here is the new arrangement for SP:

Somos pueblo verse: all sing
Los Sedientos verse: small group, (Sally & Cat, Jean & Christina, Ros back up, Alistair & David K, Colin back up, John &` John) then from Acudamos ... all.
Somos pueblo verse again: all
Los humildes verse: small group, then, from Acudamos ... all
Somos pueblo verse for 3rd time: all, with the Acudamos line repeated, getting softer to finish.

So that you don't have to bring all your books every week, you can, if you want, only bring concert songs. You have many already on sheets, some words only, and some full songs. Here are the songs from the books. I have omitted the very easy ones. Click on the name of each song.
Batonebo Mravaljamier Goodnight Sweetheart Tibje Pajom Tourdion

I hope most people will not use copies for the above songs at the concert, they are particularly for newer people and for people with "troublesome memories". More about copies/folders etc. later.

After next week we will be sitting in rows, not in a horse shoe, so we get used to singing near different people/parts ready for the concert.

Next week we will sing And So it Goes, Bound for South Australia, Somos Pueblo, Shallow Brown and Willie's Rare. If time, also Tourdion.

See you next week, Jane

for Monday the 23rd of January

2012-01-16T13:01:00.006Z

Hello Harmonise,
After this silly flowchart, I'm afraid I must continue by some finger wagging. Jane, our hard working and very patient treasurer has said that there are still 20 people who have not yet paid this term's fees. Whenever Jane is given cheques on a Monday, she has to go to the bank in her lunch hour during the week and this usually means long queues. She doesn't mind doing this once, after our first Monday, but has now done it twice, and since 20 people haven't paid, will have to do it again. This really is not fair on Jane. Our committee members work very hard on your behalf. Please respect this, and do everything you can to support them. Please either pay Jane to-day by bacs, (she will email you the details if you email her) or bring cheques on Monday at the very latest. Thanks for your cooperation.

For people who missed last Monday we practised Mravaljamier, And so it Goes, Shallow Brown, Batonebo, De Grassias and we sang Tourdion through so new people could hear it.

Next Monday we will begin to polish up And So it Goes, which is starting to sound very good. Thanks for the time you've spent on this. Please, in particular, practise the last page. There are now small groups singing sections of this song, please remember who you are, I didn't take a note!!

We will also sing all through Willie's Rare and the Irish Blessing, and top up Tibje Pajom, Mravaljamier and Somos pueblo.

A date for your diary:
Loud and Proud have invited us to join them at their concert which is in the evening of Saturday the 12th of May. We will sing two or three of the songs from our coming March concert, and possibly another together with Loud and Proud, that we already know. Put it in your diary, and we will make arrangements next term.

Support your treasurer!! Practise!! :-) See you on Monday,
Jane

Saturday workshop with Brendan

2012-01-10T12:24:00.002Z

Harmony Singing Workshop

With Brendan Taaffe of Turtledove

Saturday 11 February 2012

In the dark days of February come and sing traditional American and Zimbabwean songs with Brendan Taaffe.

The American material will encompass

songs from the early gospel quartet tradition,
bluegrass and Carter family standards, and
original compositions in the Shape-note (New England hymn tradition) style.

The Zimbabwean songs are from the makwayera repertoire. four-part harmony in the Shona language blending traditional African techniques with Western-influenced four part harmony. These songs range from church choruses to exhortations on the importance of education to folk songs about a bachelor's hapless attempts to impress the girls. A joy to sing!

In Brendan's workshops both novice and experienced singers find joy in singing together. All parts are taught by ear, with an emphasis on listening to one another, capturing the essence of the song, and on musicality.

Where? Christ Church hall, 6a Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DD. The venue is accessible for wheelchair users.

When? Saturday 11th February 2012, 10 am to 4 pm.

Cost? £25.00 or £17.00 concs.

Lunch? Please bring lunch to share. Hot drinks/biscuits will be provided.

To secure your place send a deposit of £5.00 made out to Liz Elkind and send to Liz Elkind, her address is on your Harmonise list. Please include your address, email address and phone number.

Questions? More info? Phone or email Liz.

For January the 16th 2012

2012-01-10T12:02:00.008Z

Hello Harmonise,
A lovely singing start to the year!

We practised And so it goes, Love Lifted Me, Shallow Brown, Tibje Pajom, Batonebo and Somos Pueblo.

A reminder:
For Batonebo, first line: Lisa, Nicola and Graeme.
For Batonebo, third line: Brid, Evie and Colin.

For Somos Pueblo, verse 2, Catriona and Sally, Christina and Jean, Ros as back up, David K and Alistair, John and John.

We will sing these two again next week. We'll also continue to the end of And So It Goes, please practise this more than once! this week, we really need to move on with this one. There are small changes each time the tune comes back, listen carefully to the recording and notice where the changes come and what they are.

We will also sing Mravaljamier. For new people, and for anyone who needs a refresher, the parts are on CD1 for the Blue Book. And if time, we'll sing De Grassias.

Keep practising! 8 more weeks to learn the programme ...

Jane

For Monday the 9th January 2012

2012-01-02T13:43:00.012Z

hello Harmonise, Happy New Year!

All those carols seem a long way away .. but good fun was had, I think! Jane and Margot counted all the contributions and have banked £560.00 for Shelter Scotland. Well done, you people!! There are some carol photos, and also some xmas party photos on our Harmonise flickr site, here.

Looking ahead to March, I have decided to make some changes to our concert programme. When I made up the CD and the draft programme way back last summer I hadn't reached my decision to leave Harmonise ... and on reflection, I now think we need to include a good helping of our old favourites since it will be rather a special concert. The songs on your current CD that we haven't started will wait until the summer term, I think. The songs I have added are probably new to our new members. I have indicated this on the list, and also where they can be found.

For next Monday, the 9th, we will sing to the end of And So It Goes, so please take some time to learn your part for this before next Monday. We'll also sing De grassias and Shallow Brown.

Here is the updated song list -

Songs for March 23^rd Concert. N.B. This is not the programme order -

Batonebo

Mravaljamier, new This is in the Blue Book, and parts are on CD 1 of Blue Book

Shallow Brown

Bound for South Australia

Willie's Rare

Bring me Little Water

Warm (Small Group)

De Grassias

Tibje Pajom new This is in the Red Book. It is very easy to learn.

Breath Be Our Unity, new Very easy. In Red Book

Tourdion, new This is in the Blue Book. The words go very fast, but the tune is easy. It is in the Blue Book, and parts are on CD 1 of the Blue Book

I Got Shoes

Love Lifted Me, new This is in the Blue book and is very easy to learn.

An Irish Blessing new This is in the Blue book. I will send out sound files to all new members in a week or two.

Goodnight Sweetheart new This is in the Purple book and is very easy to learn.

And so it Goes

The quiet Joys of Brotherhood (small group)

See you on Monday, Jane

Carol Singing Time Change

2011-12-14T09:46:00.006Z

hello Harmonise,
For this Saturday, the 17th, we are meeting (but pretending not to) on the ground floor of Waterstones at the West End of Princes Street ready to sing at 11.30. If you start arriving at 11.15 that will be good, but we will sing at 11.30 whether we are all there or not. If you were not at Monday's singing, please hang about towards the back of the ground floor pretending to look at children's books or novels until you hear us start O Come All Ye Faithful. Start to move forward, then join in the carol at the beginning of verse 2. We will sing only verses 1 & 2. With great gusto!!

Afterwards we will get ourselves to the east end of Rose Street, behind Jenners, and sing for an hour or two for Shelter Scotland. Bring the carols you need, words or notes, in a form that you can find quickly - we move from one carol to the next without a break (ahem ... well, that's what we try to do) if we spot people coming along!! If you have any bells, bring them to shake during jingle bells, and please feel free to decorate yourselves with xmas tinsel - but only after we leave Waterstones!!
See you there, Jane

For Monday 12th of December

2011-12-06T12:44:00.015Z

Hello Harmonise,
For next week, once again, :-( please learn your notes for the first two pages of And So it Goes up to the top of page 3. parts are on the CD. Our annual Friends and Family concert "dress rehearsal" is on Monday the 12th of March. This actually gives us 9 meetings in 2012 before then. But attendance is always compromised in January and February by winter coughs and colds and last year we missed two Mondays because of foul weather ... so think 5 or 6 more practices before the concert ... I will send out a draft programme of the concert songs before we restart on January the 9th, and it will include And So it Goes. 10 minutes 3 times this week ... You will be rewarded by lots more time to sing xmas carols on Monday!!

The carol list for Rose Street is
Coventry Carol (Lullay, Lulla)
Ding Dong Merrily
Gaudete
Hark the Herald Angels
Holly and the Ivy
In the Bleak Mid Winter
Jingle Bells
O Little Town of B.
O Come All Ye F
Sweet Xmas Bells and
While Shepherds Watched..

Here are alto parts for Ding Dong Merrily (Blue p49) , for Gaudete (words only, Blue p 54), for Hark the Herald Angels (Blue p 51), Holly and the Ivy (Blue p 51), Jingle Bells (no need for copy), and While Shepherds Watched (Blue p56). New people don't worry about actually learning these. Just listen a couple of times, then make sure you sit between people who know them on Monday. Most of the parts are easy except perhaps While Shepherds Watched, which has funny timing and Ding Dong Merrily which is not so easy to sing as the others. By the time we've sung each one four times, you will know them!!

See you all on Monday, part perfect for A S I G ...
Jane

Sangstream Singing in the Botanics

2011-12-06T12:43:00.002Z

Scots Folk Choir on Festive Note Edinburgh-based Scots folk choir Sangstream will be entertaining audiences at the Garden on Sunday, 11 December.There will be Scots Songs, traditional songs from around the world and some Christmas favourites.

For Monday the 5th of December

2011-11-29T09:48:00.006Z

hello Harmonise,
Great turnout last night. What a difference it made to our singing!!

O Come All Ye is definitely our song for the flash sing on Saturday the 17th of December. Well practised!! We need to be rock solid for notes, for this kind of sudden, one off sing, so if you aren't (rock solid) please keep practising your part. This will sound much more together if we can sing it without music ... The sound files are in last week's Newsflash.

We will sing once at approx 11.00, and then move to the St Andrews Square end of Rose Street for our charity carol sing for approx 12 - 2. This is a rough estimate of times and we will agree precise times together at our final sing this term.

The carol list for Rose Street is:
Coventry Carol (Lullay, Lulla)
Ding Dong Merrily
Gaudete
Hark the Herald Angels
Holly and the Ivy
In the Bleak Mid Winter
Jingle Bells
O Little Town of B.
O Come All Ye F
Sweet Xmas Bells and
While Shepherds Watched.

Sopranos probably know the tunes for all of these except "While Shepherds Watched". We'll sing that at Harmonise soon. Meanwhile, here are the alto parts for O Little Town, Coventry Carol, and Sweet Xmas Bells. And here are the dots for Sweet Xmas Bells. Please print out a copy for yourself.

We have started our final "big piece" for the concert, And So it Goes. Please, everyone, learn your part up to "And you can have this heart to break" on page 3. It's on the CD.

If we have time, we'll go on with Willie's Rare next week, too.

Warm singers, a very good start. Please keep up the learning and we'll have another 10 minutes next week. Bring your diaries and we'll arrange a longer practice for this.

We are trying to locate the CDs that go with the song books. Our apologies to new Harmonsie members - not having these ready for you was an oversight. They are coming soon!!

See you next week,
Jane

Muckle Sing 2012

2011-11-22T16:59:00.003Z

Next February's Muckle Sing event is to be held in Linlithgow.

Places are limited to 80 so do book early: you can book individually or as a group.

Put the date in your diary now. Booking information to follow.

Tutor for the day is Scots singer-songwriter, Janet Russell.

Trish Santer

Convener, Edinburgh & Lothians Branch TMSA

For Monday the 287th of November

2011-11-22T12:41:00.007Z

Hello Harmonise,
If we can all sing O Come All Ye Faithful straight off next week, we'll do it as a flash choir before our Rose Street bash. You can keep your copies, but only for glancing at!! Here is the alto part, here is the tenor part, and here is the very satisfying bass part.

Songs coming on well for the concert, I think! Willie's Rare is not on the CD. Please make your own recordings on Mondays if you need one. We'll continue with that next week and also revisit Batonebo.

Hope to see many of you at Christina's this Wednesday evening at 7.15.
Jane

For Monday the 21st of November

2011-11-16T10:24:00.012Z

hello Harmonise,
Batonebo is coming on well. Please be very sure of the words for the Batonebo line, the La maziba line and the ga u harda line. These are the lines that the full choir will sing. Basses, please practise your part, especially bar 4. We will leave Warm for the moment. The first and second lines really are very difficult. So that we can get on with our other songs, I am going to try this in a small group.

For new altos, here is the sound file for Somos Pueblo. And here, for new sopranos.

A Pre Christmas Sing
Christmas lights appearing on 24th Nov in our Princes St. free of tramworks!! and open until after Christmas! Some of Harmonise will be singing at the tree at the West End at 6pm. We are meeting at the One World Shop under St John’s anytime from 5.30 and bags etc can be left locked in the office. Hoping to process back to Shop still singing! Mulled wine will be served at the shop afterwards.

Those who can will meet at Christina’s, for about an hour on Wed 23rd Nov at 7.15 to have a run through what we will sing. If you can't make it, please email me (my own address, don't reply to this) after we have met, and I will send you the (very short!) song list. The songs will almost certainly include Sia Hamba, Bambelela, and In the Bleak Mid Winter. If you are new to Harmonise and need to hear a part for any of these, let me know asap, (my own address, don't reply to this) and I'll send you a sound file.

For Monday the 14th of November

2011-11-08T09:53:00.005Z

Hello Harmonise,
Warm is coming on well. People have really been working on this and it shows. Thank you. Tenors and basses please keep listening to the sound files (see earlier post) and practising - you have the most difficult parts.

Can people try to arrive by five to seven if at all possible. By seven last night only half of us were ready to start. It's discouraging for people who, every week, make the effort to be ready to start at seven.

Not all of the songs for the concert are on the CD. Some are on earlier CDs, many are not recorded. If you know you take time to learn, or you forget your part if we don't sing a particular song every week, it's always OK to bring a sound recorder of some sort and record while we are learning. Most mobile phones will make a good enough recording for the purpose of learning or remembering a part.

Enjoy the rain! And keep reading ....
Jane

A message from your Committee

One of our priorities at the moment is to prepare a job description for a Musical Director together with background information about Harmonise so that we can advertise the position. This is all very nearly ready and we have an excellent list of websites and other places where we will post the information. It will also be posted on Harmonise's website. This will all be in place by the end of November at the latest, possibly sooner. We'll let you know.

Sally

Folk Carols Festival

2011-11-08T09:51:00.003Z

Dentdale Folk Carols festival If you would like to talk to someone who has been to this before, or if you are thinking of coming, please speak to Jonathan (tenor admirabilis) and he'll put you in the picture.
	This event runs from Friday 2nd December to Sunday 4th December Concerts, workshops to learn the old folk carols - and ones from afar, Carolling Ceilidh, dances, festive meals, singing walk etc. - in Sedbergh and Dent. Accommodation provided and all meals. Workshops with Lakeland voice director David Burbidge - concerts with Lakeland Voices, Cautley Carollers, The Gladly Solemn Sound, Quatz accapela group, Kinderley harmony singers from Sedbergh, Furness Morris dance team, Richmond on Swale Morris dancers.......and more. Location: Sedbergh and Dent Website: http://www.lakelandvoice.co.uk Contact: David Burbidge 015396 21166

For Monday the 7th of November

2011-11-01T12:52:00.006Z

hello Harmonise,
Please look at last week's Newsflash for links to the sound files for Warm. Sopranos, I've reloaded your part here. Have another go before emailing me!
All parts, if you can't hear your part, email me (on my own email address, don't reply to this Newsflash) and I'll send it directly to you. Basses and tenors, you have the parts with the most tricky moves, so please try to get especially familiar with your part. We'll focus on this song next week.

The other song to practise is Batonebo. It's on your CD. This is coming along well, be nice to "put on the moustaches". I thought the small groups sounded very lovely yesterday.

Lots of singing workshops coming up, look at last week's Newsflash for a reminder.

See you next week, Jane

For Monday 31st October

2011-10-25T12:12:00.008+01:00

Hello Harmonise,
First, a big thanks to everyone who made our Stroove weekend such a great pleasure. Organisation was perfect, food was especially yum and everyone mucked in with enthusiasm. A special thanks to Graeme, who attended to all the fiddly money details,and who made very charming room labels!! All we ever wanted ....

On Monday we started the glorious "Warm" by Stephen Taberner and since there are one or two tricky moves in this song I've made sound files. There are no words on the sound files and you can only play them on your computer. Here is the alto part. Here is the soprano part. Here is the tenor part. Here is the bass part. Here are the words for people who didn't make it on Monday, you should find them easy to fit to the notes. Please listen to your part as often as you can before next Monday. It would be fantastic if we can sing this confidently enough to perform at our next concert.

Some upcoming events:
Concert on Saturday 19th November by Sakhioba -- one of the best male groups in Georgia led by Malkhaz Erkvanidze. Details are: Concert at 7.30pm

St Andrews & St George's West, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA Concert price: advance ticket £13, concession £10, on the door £15

For more information and tickets, go to www.geomusica.com

Malkhaz will also be holding a singing workshop on Saturday 19th November, 10-4pm at the Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Price is £25/£20 concessions.

The weekend before that 12th/13th November we have another workshop with the wonderful Nana Mzhavanadze who many of you will know. She will be teaching mainly Georgian christmas songs and the venue is 9 Bath Street, Portobello, 10.30-5pm. Price is £25/£20 concessions.

For more information and bookings for the workshops contact David Tugwell by email or phone 07972 896737.

SING YOUR SOCKS OFF - SING AFRICA WORKSHOP
with Jenny Goodman, Sat. November 19th, 1.30 - 4.30
Pilrig Parish Church £22/£11 (if booked before Nov 14th)
For more information, contact Jenny on singing.jennyg@googlemail.com

See you next Monday, Jane

For Monday 24th October

2011-10-18T11:57:00.010+01:00

hello Harmonise,
Thank you Tony Backhouse, thank you Loud and Proud. What a great evening that Monday was!

We're well into our Autumn singing now, so it's business as usual. Liz is now selling this year's concert CDs (£1) which have parts for most of what you need for the concert. The track list that came with the CD is wrong, my apologies. Liz will give out a corrected track list on Monday.

We have now finished learning the notes for Batonebo, which is on the CD, tracks 16 top, 17 alto, and 18 tenor/bass. If you've missed any Mondays, please practise your part for this.

There are still unpaid fees for this term. If you are one of the six offenders, please bring cash or a cheque for £45/£25 on Monday, or email Jane Meagher, our treasurer, and she will send you bacs details. Cheques to be made out to Harmonise.

Looking forward to a full house next week, Jane
and read on please ...

An important note from your committee:

At our session last night Jane announced that she will be retiring from leading Harmonise at the end of our summer term. Jane has been a wonderful, much loved and inspiring musical director and will be greatly missed.

Harmonise will, of course, continue. Over the coming weeks the committee will be discussing options for the future with you all.

For Monday 10th October

2011-10-04T11:22:00.009+01:00

Welcome, everyone. Lovely tuneful start to the autumn term!!

Next Monday, (10^th October) Tony Backhouse from New Zealand is leading us, together with Loud and Proud. There will be a lot of us, so please come early to help put out extra chairs. Note that we may well sing for a little longer than usual.

The following Monday, the 17th, the Cds with parts for many of the songs we are preparing for our concert wiill be ready, at a cost of £1. Our Friends and Family Concert is going to be on Friday the 23rd of March at St Peter's, Lutton Place. There will be an extra rehearsal on the previous Friday, 16th of March, at St Peter's. I know this is far away, but please note these dates now.

Reminders: Your fees for this term are now overdue so if you haven't paid, please bring cash or a cheque for £45/£25 on Monday, or email Jane Meagher, our treasurer, and she will send you bacs details. Cheques to be made out to Harmonise.

Our annual Stroove weekend is on 21^st to 23^rd of October. If you'd like to come, please put your name on the list which will be on the long table again on Monday, but do check with Graeme first - we are nearly full. It will cost between £35 and £40 depending on how many of us go. If you are a new member you are specially welcome. More details here. Lifts for people without transport will be sorted out on Monday the 17th and a full list of what to bring will follow.

Flash Choir for "See Me": If you want to join this, turn up next Monday at Castle Street just before 10.30. There is a practice this Wednesday at the Ross Bandstand at 11 A.M., but it's not essential that you come. The songs are Bambelela and Lean on me. For further details scroll down to previous News Flash.

The Boyan Ensemble from Kiev are returning to Edinburgh on the 12th of November. This group has been highly recommended by people who go to hear them every year. For details click here

See you on Monday, Jane

For Monday 3rd October

2011-09-27T17:50:00.003+01:00

Hello Harmonise,

Hope everyone has had a good break and a bit of summer.

We're back on Monday the 3^rd and we look forward to seeing you all, raring to go!

Please try to come well before 7.00 if you can, to help put out chairs and enable us to start on time.

Some reminders: Your fees for this term are due NOW so please bring cash or a cheque for £45/£25 on Monday, or email Jane Meagher and she will send you bacs details. Cheques to be made out to Harmonise.

On our second Monday, (10^th October) Tony Backhouse from New Zealand is leading us, together with Loud and Proud. There will be a lot of us that night, so please come as early as you can to help with putting out extra chairs.

At the end of our third week we have a Stroove weekend (21^st to 23^rd of October). If you'd like to come to this, please put your name on the list which will be circulating on Monday. It will probably cost between £35 and £40 depending on how many of us go. If you are a new member you are specially welcome – it's a great way to get to know a few Harmonise people a bit better. More details here.

STOP PRESS!!

And there is a Come and Sing Choral Classics afternoon at Pilrig St Paul's, 1b Pilrig Street, this Saturday 1st October 2-6pm. Choruses from Handel's "Messiah," "The Heavens are Telling" from Haydn Creation and Parry's "I was Glad."

£10 including Music and refreshments.

Registration: 07984 466 855 or

email: martinsritchie@googlemail.com

Proceeds shared between Waverley Care and

Pilrig Chorus

See you on Monday, Jane

Can you support this? (reposted)

2011-09-23T18:41:00.000+01:00

Can you support this?
Originally Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:14 AM PDT

Hello Harmonise, I've (Jane) been asked to tell you about this and it looks like a great thing to support. It's only for 15 minutes, although could be longer if you go for a repeat in Glasgow. I will certainly be at the Edinburgh one. If you can make it, please scroll down and respond by (new) email to Joan Bree, not to me. Tell her you're from Harmonise. It's a new venture for Joan and will lift her spirits if lots of us join this. Look forward to seeing you on the 3rd, anyway!! Jane

Flash Choir!

10th October 2011

10.30 am at Castle Street, Edinburgh and 1.30 pm at Buchanan Street, Glasgow.

‘see me’ launchs its week of activities for Scottish Mental Health Week with a Flash Choir!

We have invited members of choirs from Edinburgh and Glasgow to join us to help raise awareness of ‘see me’s campaign to change public perceptions, attitudes and behaviour towards people with a mental health illness.

The Flash Choir! will last approx. 15 – 20 minutes in each site. We have selected a couple of songs to sing on the day and are still seeking a rousing inspirational song to finish off with!

The two songs we have so far are Lean on Me by Bill Withers and Bambalela, a South African song that translates to Never Give Up.

Our plan is to start in Edinburgh at 10.30 am and then get the train through to Glasgow for a repeat performance. ‘see me’ will of course cover travel expenses and provide refreshments.

‘see me’ will video the event and we will get the footage up on our website, Facebook page and Utube as quickly as we can.   We will also be carrying out interviews to camera with some of our ‘see me’ media volunteers and handing out ‘see me’ information leaflets and wallet cards with tips on how to look after your own mental health.

If you are available on Monday 10th October during the day and would like to be a part of this exciting and fun day out please let me know by emailing joan.bree@seemescotland.org   Let me know what choir you belong to and I will get back to you with full details.

Finally, if you know of a good song to finish on please send me your suggestions!

Nick's News!

2011-09-23T13:00:00.002+01:00

Hi all! Various people were asking at the picnic that I let you know when we had news. So... we got there at last. Phew!

I took Adele into hospital for induction 5pm Tuesday and Amity's new little sister was finally timed at arriving 6.36pm last night (CM - email received 22nd so think 'last night refers to 21st?).

Weighs in at 3.27kg which I believe comes to 7lb 3oz in old money. Not much hair. But requisite no. of toes and stuff, and seems very alert and engaged again with lots of eye contact right from the off. Also reasonably placid, I'd say, considering the circumstances.

Here's a few pics: http://gallery.me.com/nickfiddes#100208&bgcolor=black&view=grid&sel=0 First is from approx 1hr after birth. Other two from this morning, when I sneaked Amity in for a visit, against the rules. Amity is chuffed to bits, and coped admirably with mum missing for a couple of nights. We're going back in the afternoon to pick them up, touch wood.

Now we just have to think of a name….
See you all soon!
Nick (of the Basses)

Congratulations all round, Nick, from everyone in Harmonise!!

Summer Sing and Picnic

2011-08-22T13:57:00.007+01:00

Hello Harmonise, My email address seems to have been successfully unhacked, I'm pleased to tell you.

Hope you've found things to enjoy at the Festival and have been able to get out during the small pockets of lovely sunshiny days.

We are meeting up at Seton Collegiate Church at 12.00 on Saturday the 10th of September for a sing in the church and, weather permitting, and an hour or so later, a picnic nearby. The church is just off the A198 in between Cockenzie and Longniddry. Any members who are joining us in October are very welcome as are partners etc.

Please ask ask around if you'd like a lift. If you are stuck for a lift please email Graeme or me and we'll try to help.

Look forward to seeing you there, Jane

Scotland Sings for Water total

2011-07-29T09:41:00.004+01:00

Hello Harmonise,
Many of us joined in Scotland Sings for Water on a very sunny and joyful Saturday at the beginning of the month. We can now tell you that you contributed to raising the grand total of £10,4300.00.

Victoria Rouse from WaterAid says, "This is an amazing achievement which will truly transform lives in Ghana and Malawi. The total you’ve raised could help almost 700 families gain access to clean, safe water. Such an incredible achievement! I hope you all feel very proud!"

Victoria also sent this short film about WaterAid's work in Malawi. It include the story of Agnes who was attacked whilst collecting unsafe water. She now has access to safe water close to home thanks to people like you who helped us transform life for her community. http://www.wateraid.org/uk/about_us/video/default.asp?vidId=E49D2C9C-59BE-902F-6AC0-6BD5DFBF789F

Thanks, everybody!! Jane

Summer Events and Autumn dates

2011-06-27T11:21:00.010+01:00

hello Harmonise,
Firstly some important dates for your diary:
Scotland Sings for Water is this Saturday. Practice in Old St Pauls starts at 10.00, we're singing from about 1.00 until 3.00.

We are going to sing at the Guildtown Bluegrass Festival again, at their gospel service, together with several bluegrass bands. The gospel service starts at 11 a.m. in the village hall on Sunday the 31st of July. We like to get there at about 10.30 so we can have a warm up. It takes about an hour and a half max to get to Guildtown from Edinburgh. If you missed our last Monday (27th) and you are coming to this, please email Jane on her own email address to let her know you are coming.

We also have a date for a Guildtown practice and sociable get together. This is on Saturday the 23rd of July at 7.30. We will meet at Rosemary's house, which is in Abbey Lane, the precise address is on your list or email Olive if you have lost your list! Get any bus that goes along London Road, going out of town, and get off at Meadowbank Shopping Park. Cross the road and Rosemary's flat is in the huge (and, to some eyes, lurid!) block of flats facing you. Rosemary's flat is delightful and not at all lurid!! Bring a nibble and something to drink.

At Guildtown We will sing Let Us Break Bread to start, then You Can't Hurry God and I Got Shoes. Let us Break Bread is on the Blue Book CD. I will send out sound files for I Got Shoes, no words, but you can look at or think of the words and hear the rhythms and melody for practice. We only have 2 basses, so basses, be very sure of your parts!! And everyone, be great to do this with no copies ... And you can sing along with the new concert CD for LUBB and YCHG!!

Our other summer get together is on Saturday the 10th of September. We decided to sing at Seton Church and have a picnic afterwards, weather permitting. We haven't got details of this yet, but I will send out another Newsflash once we have details. it will cost approximately £2.50.

Stroove bookings are a bit low so far. Our Stroove weekend is 21st to 23rd of October. Please email Graeme if you want to come and haven't yet let him know.

We come back for the start of our Autumn term on Monday the 3rd of October. On the following Monday, the 10th, Tony Backhouse from New Zealand is leading a gospel and African song evening for us and we will be joined by Loud and Proud. Make sure you don't miss this, Tony is terrific fun - I have toured with him in USA and he really lives and loves this tradition.

Our Friends and Family Concert is going to be on Friday the 23rd of March at St Peter's, Lutton Place. There is an extra rehearsal on the previous Friday, at the Church Hall, on the 16th of March. I know this is far away, but please note these dates now - everyone gets very busy around then and it's easy to double book.

Next Session Dates:
Autumn Term, 3/10/11 to 12/12/11
Winter Term, 9/1/12 to 26/3/12
Spring/Summer term, 23/4/12 to 25/6/12

Hope to see you at SS4W or at Guildtown or at the picnic or ..... have a nice summer, Jane

For June the 6th 2011

2011-05-30T12:44:00.010+01:00

Hello Harmonise,
Quite a few things this week ..

Firstly, if you would like to offer bed and breakfast to one or two Spooky Men or a Spooky man and his partner/wife, and you haven't already filled in the sign up sheet, please email me on my home email address asap. We are short of about 4 more beds. The relevant dates are the nights of Saturday August the 20th and Sunday the August the 21st. For more details please see previous Newsflash.

We are booking up for our October Stroove weekend now, Friday 21st to Sunday the 23rd. If you weren't at Harmonise on Monday the 30th of May, please email Graeme on his home email address to let him know you want to come. We will start taking £15.00 deposits to secure your place this coming Monday.

The excellent CD that Garry had produced of our March concert will be ready for sale on Monday at a cost of £5.00. Please bring the appropriate cash to buy your copies.

Songworks and Friends are giving a concert on Saturday, June the 4th, at 7.30 PM, £8/£5 at Barclay Church in Bruntsfield. To preorder tickets please email songworksedin@googlemail.com. They are raising funds to bring the Cuban Choir Musica Aurea to Edinburgh in 2012.

Next Monday we will be joined by some of the singers who are singing with us on the 2nd of July at SS4W. I don't know how many are coming but somewhere between 5 and 25 I think! We should maybe put out 25 more chairs just in case ...

See you on Monday, Jane