Friday 25 October 2013

Dottie writes

Well, it's our half term break next week so while we're waiting for choir to resume, one of our Shirehampton GGCC members Dottie has written a lovely reflection on the journey she's been on with GGCC. So take it away Dottie:





Singing low – thanks to GGCC!
Music has been part of my life since I was very young. I was born in Georgia, USA, so the sounds of both Country and Western and Gospel music are part of my DNA! I moved to the UK aged 7, and found the music in church here really strange and dull - nobody moved or clapped while they were singing! Eventually, I became used to life in the UK, had lots of happy times playing piano and singing in school and at church, and learnt to appreciate all sorts of music – choral singing, opera, musicals especially. 
As a teenager my voice was always low. I sang alto in choirs and in duets at church with my pal Brenda, who had an amazing soprano voice! Motherhood, and a busy professional life, meant that I could only enjoy music as a listener  for many years, other than singing in church as part of the congregation. 
A few years ago I realised I was struggling to sing even in church – there was no way I could hit the high notes anymore, so I had to just mouth those bits! One morning I tried singing an octave lower which felt really comfortable. I realised that I was matching my husband’s voice – only in pitch I hasten to add as he often sings totally out of tune! When I got home I played about on the piano and realised that I was singing tenor notes very easily.
This happened just at the time I was thinking I’d like to join a choir but didn’t feel I could – as only men sing tenor…..or so I thought! Very fortunately I had a friend who sang with the Shirehampton Gospel Generation Community Choir. She encouraged me to give it a go. Her words were – “Dottie, come and try it – they welcome everybody who loves to sing. Come and listen to our next concert and see what you think”.  I went to the concert and less than half-way through it knew that I wanted to be part of making such lovely music.
My first choir practice was interesting! I sat myself with the men –  only to have several ladies advise me that I was sitting in the wrong section. I plucked up courage to say – “Actually, I’m a tenor, so plan to sing with the men”. That felt so good to be able to say! 
It’s great too, to have been accepted by the men as part of them. Not surprising really as the GGCC is so much about acceptance – if you love to sing you are accepted!
I’ve got to know people I would never had met otherwise. We are a real mix of class, culture, personal situations, and ability – but when we sing we are one voice! Singing the uplifting songs we do – born out of adversity as Gospel music is – brings us together in a way which transcends any personal faith, or none, that we might hold as individuals.
Singing, especially with other people, makes us feel good. I’m so happy to have found GGCC where I can sing low, feel comfortable, and have fun while I’m doing it!

Thanks Dottie! If any other GGCC members have stories to share, drop me an email!

Have a good half term!

Tuesday 22 October 2013

A GGCC First!!!

On Saturday a group of intrepid GGCC members gathered for a secret mission!!! The venue, Clifton College Chapel. The mission, to perform a Flash Mob at the wedding of Alice Bebb, former GGCC member. The only people who knew we were singing in the wedding were the Bride, Alice, her parents and one of the staff at the school so we had to come in disguise...as wedding guests and look like we were supposed to be there.

We had arranged a pre-wedding secret rehearsal in the chapel. We all found our Flash Mob positions for 'Great Is He', cunningly scattered around the chapel. Then also had a sneaky rehearsal of our second song 'Beautiful One' before any guests arrived.

Rehearsing 'Beautiful One'


We then needed to make a quick exit and head for our next secret location...the dining hall! We ate our provisions, Em, Ruth and Heather quickly learned their words and then it was time to assume positions and wait for our cue.

Em, waiting subtly(!) for service to start, fellow GGCC agents in their positions around her


The service started. Alice entered looking just beautiful and then we were on. Ruth stood up and started us off and then in twos and threes we all joined in from all over the chapel. It was amazing..no one expected it and it sounded beautiful too. Our first ever Flash Mob was a huge success and we all had a lot of fun. The feedback Em has had since has been great too, a lot of people were very moved by it, it was quite a talking point!

Our second song later in the service went really well, Em, Heather and Ruth just about remembered their words and the choir did a great job.

Then it was time for the Bride and Groom to leave, Alice and her new hubby Paul looked very happy and it was a joy for us to be able to be part of their special day. We wish them every happiness for their new life together.



Well done GGCC...another first! Thanks to all who came, you were brilliant!

Tuesday 8 October 2013

It's all about Community

The City Academy Bristol put on a brilliant Community Fun Afternoon on Saturday. It was free to get in and free to get out...well almost, they did want you to donate some money towards the fund to keep Felix Road Playground in Easton open!

There was quite a lot of live music and dance acts and GGCC was asked to come and...sing of course! We all arrived in the glorious sunshine and headed outside for a quick warm up before heading back stage.

Em's just spotted the sweets back stage!!!
While waiting we were introduced to one of the hosts for the stage events, a young man named Alex Beresford who is a weather presenter on TV and I soon discovered that Kim from Easton GGCC is a super fan and was going all weak at the knees!!!

Anyhow, we all soon had to focus on the ask in hand, were on for our slot. It was a big stage and but the choir (about 20 of us) made a big sound and lovely harmonies. Our classics 'Great Is He', 'Soon and Very Soon' and 'Hold On' went down a treat. I loved leading them and was so proud! For some singing, they've only just joined GGCC so had never sung all the songs til that day!!!

Many of us stayed to enjoy the rest of the afternoon as there was loads of great stuff happening along with delicious food on offer. All in all, a great Saturday afternoon out.

Friday 4 October 2013

Sweet Harmony!


Three cats...together as one, sweet harmony!

Three weeks, Three choirs, Three parts, alto, soprano and men...together as one and we were hearing some sweet harmonies!

We've just completed week three of the new term, where has that time gone already?!!

I think on Tuesday we broke a record for the most songs taught in one rehearsal as we not only taught new choir songs to the Thornbury gang but taught them some of the classic GGCC anthems ready for Saturday. Heather and I really felt like we'd had a workout, as I'm sure the choir did! But they were brilliant, picked up the harmonies quickly.

The Thornbury choir continues to grow in number, new people still joining and now we've settled on which side the altos sit and which side the sopranos sit (!) we're starting to feel that we really are a choir and we do sound good! We are very thankful too for the wonderful refreshments provided before and after each rehearsal.

Shirehampton GGCC are also making sweet music! I was reflecting with one of the original members on how much we had achieved that evening, in terms of learning new words and harmonies and how when we first started people wouldn't have picked it up as fast, we have really come along way as a choir in terms of ability to hear our parts, learn them and then hold them when the others join in. Something to really be proud of. It's been great to see new members joining the Shire crew as well and how well they have been welcomed into the choir family.

Easton GGCC, well they may be the smallest choir in number but they can easily keep up with the bigger choirs! When there are only three or four of you singing a part if you make a mistake it is much more obvious which could put a lot of people off...not our Easton gang! No, they work on through little mistakes, have a laugh and have another go! Again we have had some new members this term and like the Shire choir, they have been welcomed in really well.

I am so privileged to be able to work with all these choirs. Even if I turn up feeling tired, the moment we start, the energy, enthusiasm and commitment become contagious and I leave the session on a high!