Our choir master is called Jaimie.
He has a 28 inch waist, looks about 14 and has all the energy of a small nuclear power station.
He was also delightfully friendly.
I was sat with the three other bass singers in the male section as various ladies in the sopranos gave me thumbs up and encouraging smiles.
There were around thirty of us. The youngest a nurse in her twenties who lives in one of the tiny cottages in Trelawnyd , stood next to me. She remembered that I had been kind to her the day she moved to the village. " Hello John the dogs " she whispered as the song sheets were handed out
She seems one of those incredibly warm characters with a big heart.
I quickly had to learn the bass lines to Labi Siffre's Something Inside So Strong which the ever bouncy Jamie demonstrated to each of the vocal groups .
It was all rather challenging but a wonderfully enjoyable experience.
We went on with a terribly hard Czech folk tune Okolo Hradisca with several of the choir waving at me to say they were sorry for the "baptism of fire" ( they had all sang it before) but it certainly didn't put me off as the harmonies suddenly came together in front of a somewhat manic Jamie.
As I packed up to leave, he came over briefly to ask if I was coming back
" You have a good singing voice!" He told me,
And I suddenly felt a tiny bit tearful
But I had already made my decision within two minutes of entering the choir room
" See you next Tuesday!" I told him with a big smile
well now, isn't that nice! go back!
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteGood. X
ReplyDeleteHuzzah!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Fire is cleansing too.
ReplyDeleteNext stop, the X Factor when the moisturiser will have been well worth the effort !
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful experience .... I loved singing in a choir ..... hairs on the back if your neck and all that ! XXXX
You can feel tearful when somebody's nice to you. Glad it was such an uplifting experience for you.x
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat news.
ReplyDeleteSinging!? Uplifting..energising..therapeutic..
ReplyDeleteYou can practice in the kitchen with your dogs as an audience! You can practice in the field for Irene and the horses...in fact you can sing almost anywhere you like! X
So pleased for you something uplifting to look forward to on a weekly basis John.
ReplyDeleteI have work, Samaritans now the choir, more things to add to the list me think
DeleteThe Walking Dead returns in oct too!
DeleteGood for you John!!! You will be a whole person again.. I promise.....Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteNothing lifts the spirits like singing! I first heard the song "Something Inside So Strong" many years ago on an album by the gay a cappella group, The Flirtations. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWell well . .
ReplyDeleteSuch a happy note to hear . . .
you’ll be going back again next Tuesday . . .
Are you going to stay there then John? Hope it is possible.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe shall see
DeleteBrilliant xx
ReplyDeleteSinging is so good for the soul! I always feel happier after a good sing (not sure anyone in earshot feels the same, mind...)
ReplyDeleteWonderful that your first meeting with them was that stirring and encouraging!Can't say how glad I am that you went and will return.-Mary
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I would love to do the same but with my voice I am always put in the back row and told to lip-sync.
ReplyDeletePeter
Peter Jamie said anyone can sing
DeleteHe has not heard me!
DeleteOoh, you're a bass - you'll be much in demand. I have sung in a choir for many years, it's been my salvation in times of trouble and a source of great joy. While you're singing, you can't think about anything else, and the good feelings last for a long time after. It's been proven that singing is good for your health. Glad you have joined.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way we didn't need music, just the choir master showing us what to sing
DeleteYears ago I belonged to a choir called 'The Brighton Girls Choir'. I still sing those songs today (in private, lol) I've never forgotten all of the words. More videos please. lovely
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
See you next tuesday ....John I was waiting for a punchline !! I think you will fit right in..xx
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the evening. Singing is so good for the soul and the choir sound like a nice bunch.
ReplyDeleteGreat news! Onward and upward. I can see a corner in sight.
ReplyDeleteThe choir crew sound fantastic! I can't wait for your performances! Everyone seems pretty cool! I'm glad you had a good time and are going back for more. You sound happy, and that's a good thing. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteDoes your choir take requests? How about a classic song that defines and exemplifies who the proud British people are:
Wannabe
You can be Sexy Spice. Sorry, you wear flip flops, so you can't be Posh. But your running with the horses (and sassy sheep) and your tumbling act on the fences means you can also be Sporty Spice.
You're deserving of compliments, people being nice to you, etc. No need for tears. Carol in Philadelphia
ReplyDeleteThey were happy tears
DeleteSinging is a happy experience and will bring you joy.
ReplyDeleteOmg. You Are not going back!!!!! See you next training day,,,
ReplyDeleteI am going back x
DeleteThere is something so wonderful about being part of a musical group, especially when it all comes together. A bass, then. I'm so pleased for you. Have you been in a choir before? -Jenn
ReplyDeleteYay! Couldn't ask for a better post :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are going back :)
ReplyDeleteWell done, John!
ReplyDeleteA big YeeHaw from Tucson !
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
Lovely news. So pleased you enjoyed it. And the choir will also be delighted as basses are rare, let alone good ones like you.Michelle in Wellington NZ xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased for you, John the dogs! New friends and local ones are great.
ReplyDeleteYou really said See u next Tuesday! . Laughing. Wonder you were not banned!. Laughing x
ReplyDeleteKirriex
Perfect for you and you're perfect for the choir.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet it is!
Well done John. Choral singing has a wonderful feel good effect. It lifts the spirit.
ReplyDeletedoes the mens choir have dvds they sell?
ReplyDeleteBravo, John!
ReplyDeleteJohn the Dogs, how lovely.
ReplyDeleteMust have been fate that presented you with that particular Labbi Siffre song at this time. Could hardly have been more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, you will love it and have already begun to make new friends. I can imagine you singing while dog walking x
ReplyDeleteThat's another tick then - every tick negates a cross John. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Nothing like singing with people, it's the epitome of what is good about humanity. <3
ReplyDelete'John the dogs'. How fantastic and so terribly Welsh. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThat’s what I was thinking.
DeleteWonderful news! Something to look forward to and a chance to make new friends too! x
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you (and wish I had the voice)! You do realize that if you attend choir every week, you too will have a 28-inch waist. It's a well-known fact. I wouldn't lie.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've found 'your people' or maybe yet another group of your people. ♥️
ReplyDeleteNew friends and new adventures sounds like it is going to bring some joy to your week.
ReplyDeleteDelighted you clicked with the choir, they are lucky to have you !
ReplyDeleteOnward and upward my lovely. Recovery is made of small steps. Well done xx
ReplyDeleteSing out dear John - great for them and really nice for you.
ReplyDeleteShare more videos later please. I love a good choir, and the Welsh do it so well.
Good for you and as others have said it's good for the spirit.
ReplyDeleteJust what the doctor ordered. Music soothes the soul and lifts the spirits. That may be the most platitudes I have ever used in a row.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me happy! I love your spirit John Gray
ReplyDeleteThis post had a spark of happy in it. Good on you, John the Dogs. It was brave of you to go. Congratulations for taking a step.
ReplyDeleteHappy for you John, hope you continue with it.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful. After 30 years of not thinking I could sing I went on a course and discovered I could. Never looked back. It can transform your mood like no business.
ReplyDeleteYour wonderful post made me miss choir which restarts after the summer break in September. We too have sung Okolo. Singing really lifts the spirits, I knew you would love it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this will become a very enjoyable weekly outing for you. How nice to have a compliment on your singing on your first day, too!
ReplyDeleteThank for your very good article! i always enjoy & read the post you are sharing!
ReplyDeleteดูหนังà¸à¸à¸™à¹„ลน์
I think I may live my fantasy of singing in a choir vicariously through you, John. If you don't mind 'a tag-along', that is.
ReplyDelete