Tuesday 30 April 2013

GGCC goes on the road...to Calne!

"We're in Calne!"
Here they are, the intrepid GGCC choir members arriving in Calne, Wiltshire on Saturday afternoon.

The lovely Kim!
Rob is a true gent and helps folk off the coach
Heading up the hill to the church


Why were we in Calne? Good question! The Pastor of Calne Baptist Church, Sam King had invited us to come and give a concert at his church to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK. It just so happened too that Calne was where Emma grew up and Calne Baptist Church was her old church, so double the reason to go!

Emma went ahead of the choir in the afternoon to run a Gospel Choir workshop in the church and the lovely Heather Staley went with her too. There were 14 workshop participants and they were brilliant! We managed to teach and learn 5 songs in just 2.5 hours, including actions!
Em explaining roots of Gospel Music to workshop crew...see if you can spot Heather too!

The workshop-ites then joined GGCC for the concert in the evening and became part of a bigger choir. They also got to sing on their own so they could show off what they'd achieved that afternoon. Some of them also volunteered to sing in small groups for one of the songs, at least one of them had not sung in public since they were told by a music teacher at school they couldn't sing (shocking!) so that was a massive step forward for them.

GGCC were treated to a wonderful tea provided by the church, no run of the mill sandwiches and cake there! We felt so welcome.

The concert itself was amazing. GGCC were their usual brilliant self, sang so well and joined in with the actions they'd never done which Em had added to one of the songs, with loads of energy. It was the first time Em had ever led the choir for a whole concert and she loved it. The support and love GGCC gave her made such a huge difference as well.

After the end of the concert it was time for GGCC to get back on the coach and it sounds like there was much fun and laughter...and singing all the way back to Bristol.

Em got an email from Sam at the church too to say a big thank you and also to let us know they'd managed to raise £550 for Alzheimer's Research so that's fantastic!

Friday 19 April 2013

Shirehampton Primary Gospel Choir's first performance!

Shirehampton Primary School Entrance


On Wednesday this week (17th April) an intrepid group of children from Shirehampton Primary collectively now known as the Shirehampton Primary Gospel Choir performed for the first time...ever!!! They were amazing!

We have been meeting over 7 sessions on Wednesday lunchtimes, each just 30 minutes long and in that time managed to learn words and actions for 3 songs. There were around 16 children who performed on Wednesday to the rest of their school...which is a lot of children! As they had never sung these songs in public before it was slightly daunting but they were all brilliant, sang their hearts out and made me very proud!

It has been a lot of fun getting to know the group, they came up with most of the actions for the songs themselves and even a new verse for one of the songs. We will now take a break over the Summer as Naomi won't be able to help Emma run it anymore. Emma hopes to find a helper for September so she can restart it then...watch this space!

Monday 1 April 2013

The Wedding of the Century!

So, it's official Geraldine and Carey are now Mr & Mrs!

Geraldine couldn't contain her excitement!!!


It was such a privilege for the GGCC choirs to be part of what was truly the 'wedding of the century'!
From the moment we all arrived at Christchurch Clifton there was a massive buzz of excitement. We all assembled in the crypt area downstairs for warm up and run through.


Em & Kim Samuels were the Choir Directors for the day, leading a combined Renewal/GGCC choir of about 150 people!!!


Before we knew it it, rehearsal time was over and it was time for the wedding. We quickly all assembled on stage and waited for the bride to arrive, and she was bang on time!!!


Geraldine and her Bridal party came down the aisle dodging hundreds of balloons, led by a group of djembe drummers.



Accompanied by the most amazing group of musicians (harp, brass section, djembes, organ, guitars, bass, drums, piano & keys) we all sang our hearts out. The new anthem written by Geraldine & Carey was beautiful and we all remembered it...well most of it!!! 

It truly was a musical extravaganza. All the hymns just came to life and the choir did a fab job of leading the singing. 

Geraldine & Carey exchanged their vows and rings and then sang a verse of Be Thou My Vision (while Em & Naomi frantically tried to get GGCC back on stage as they had to be there sooner than we thought!!!).



Then we had our surprise...SECRET SONG! It was a song Em & Naomi had written especially for Geraldine & Carey and rehearsed in secret with the choir. Called 'The Right Time', the GGCC choirs sang it beautifully and Geraldine was genuinely surprised and I think touched by the song. So well done GGCC! You can hear a version of the song we recorded when you watch the video there is a link for below.

So, after singing Total Praise (WOW!) with Renewal choir it was time for Mr & Mrs Luce to leave. They danced down the aisle to 'Celebrate' by Kool & The Gang which the choirs and band performed...so much fun!

One of many kisses!!!


What a day! We have a short video of the day from the choirs perspective, to watch CLICK HERE

Em & Naomi are so proud of all the GGCC family, we loved being able to celebrate such a joyful occasion with you all


Here's one last pic of the happy couple cutting the cake at the reception!


So, we now send Geraldine off to her new life in London with Carey...we will miss her SO much but know she will come and visit!

Next for GGCC is our concert in Calne on 27th April...watch this space!

Bye for now!