Moor Harmony and a Vocal Sex Change!

After a long spell of ennuii I really had to get off my bottom and do something. Some new pills have made me feel a bit better of late so I spent a few weeks thinking about what I wanted to do. The answer came to me in the form of a programme called The Choir. Gareth Malone, he of the serious glasses, terrific musical talent and the looks of a 12 year old got me all fired up when he formed a Choir at RMB Chivenor in Devon. The Choir was the story of a group of military wives who find solace and cheer in music whilst their husbands are away on a tour of Afghanistan. The programme held me rapt. I cried, laughed and cheered along with them. Our Gareth triumphed and all was well in Forces Land. The men came home safe and as I write this The Military Wives Choir are are tipped for a Christmas number one slot with their single 'Wherever You Are'.

In my experience, almost all of us can sing in one form or another but most of us left singing behind along with our O levels. I certainly did. Apart from the odd wedding/funeral it has been 30 years since I sang a song. I have tried in the car but The Git (who has of course been blessed with perfect pitch) shouts at me to shut up so I honestly thought I was a bit crap!

I rang a choir called Moor Harmony, at least I thought they were a choir but I was quickly corrected. They are a Ladies Barbershop Chorus. 'Really' said I 'Blimey, I thought that stuff was for blokes and extremely hard to sing'. I was encouraged by Mel to come and have a go so it was with trepidation that I arrived in Wadebridge to do just that. I was shaking like a leaf and after saying a quick hello I spent the next 15 mins on the loo!

Sian, the Musical Director took me into another room to see what my range was. I always sang Soprano back in the 'olden days' but as I opened my mouth to follow her notes a deep rumbling Bass wandered out. I clapped my hand over my mouth in complete shock. Bugger, was that actually me? Sian laughed at my confusion and placed me firmly in the Bass section. Oh the shame....I was going to sound like a Bloke, or so I thought...

Okay, so just consider this, I haven't sung for 30 years, I have just been told I have had a vocal sex change and now they are asking me to do warm up exercises. This involved jigging about the hall like a disjointed giraffe. I was the giraffe the others were all swans to my stumbles. Actually I had to sit some of that out after nearly falling over a few times. I thought it might be best to try and get to the singing part in one piece.

Now came the hard bit. After warming up our vocal chords with me rumbling along in entirely the wrong places, I was given a piece of sheet music and asked to join in. Now I may not be a soloist but I have a good ear and am a natural mimic. These dubious talents ensured that I could Blag it for the first half of proceedings. This involved identifying the clearest singer among the Basses and attatching myself firmly to her side.

All I can say is what a blast this evening has been. Once I had found a smidgen of confidence, I lost myself in the music and started to learn how to sing in parts. At one point I carried on singing when all had stopped, swiftly clapped my hand over my mouth and blushed a deep shade of crimson which was tempered with a slight amazement at the sound coming out of my mouth. So I am renewed and feeling happy and exhausted. It's not easy, it's hard work. You constantly have to rehydrate and I have to admit I got extremely tired. A lot of laughter was shared among us and I can't wait for next week. Thanks to all the girls in Moor Harmony for making me feel so welcome.

I just want to end this Blog by saying that most of us left singing behind with religion as the 'Great God Supermarket' seems to be our only form of religion today. Some of us will sing at the Carol Service in the next couple of weeks or hum along at the Nativity Play but that will be it for another year. I would encourage anyone to join a Choir/Barbershop Group because the rush you experience whilst revisiting your vocal chords is better than any Dirty Martini you could ever mix!

The Ladies of 'Moor Harmony' are performing live at The Callywith Pub tonight. So if you live in Bodmin then go along and support them. I shall be there to provide a bit of moral support but I have a long way to go before I get up there with them.

The Power of Music

It is late or perhaps early, dependant where you are in the world. I cannot sleep, but no matter as I have had an excellent evening.... on my own. The Git sleeping safe, a warm fire, scented candles and me catching up on some songs I have not listened to for years. More in a minute.

The power of Music is unbelievable. Organised Religion sets my own teeth on edge ( hey, each to their own) but Music....now that is a freedom that every one of us has from an early age. We are (or used to be) taught Hymns at school (Lord of the Dance), silly songs that our fathers sang (You are my Sunshine), Brownie/Cub songs (Kookaburra ....yeah, you are all swearing at me, so I won't give you the full title as you will sing it all day tomorrow!) Ad infinitum. Tears in my eyes now as when we grow up we can't sing in public, only in the shower or the car. Actually I am not allowed to sing in the car as The Git has the gift of perfect pitch and shouts at me when I do.....spoilsport.

Why don't we sing more, why don't we get together and sing our hearts and worries out? It is such a blast to sing out loud and free. The western world frowns upon singing. Other cultures know better and they sing throughout their adult lives. It is about time we bloody did. Doesn't matter what you sing, just do your best and have fun.

I don't usually watch the Green Eyed Monster that most of you know as Television. My grandfather, Samuel, was one of the very first TV Engineers and always told me that unless TV was used to educate, it would be the drug of the masses. I think I was about 9 or 10 at the time. How right he was. Sorry digressing again! What I meant to say was I loved watching The Choir programmes (one about teaching inner city kids to sing, the other a competition). My point is that you do not need to worship any God, Church or other to be able to stick on a pair of headphones or whack the volume up and SING! You never know it might just unwind you a bit and pull you back to that place in your heart.

That is exactly what happened to me tonight. Headphones on and volume up! I started with Hallelujah by Jeff Beck then somehow it morphed into Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood singing, Had To Cry Today, Presence Of The Lord, Georgia On My Mind and Cocaine. On it went ,Led Zep with Stairway to Heaven and Kashmir, which somehow led me neatly into George Harrison. My Sweet Lord and Here Comes The Sun, among others.

John Lennon was next. Fabulous writer and musician. Shame he had a large thumb print in middle of forehead! Listened to about an hour of his stuff and of course the song 'Woman' came up. Playing it brought back some wonderful memories for me. Sweet sixteen and a dalliance with a fairly famous older man, known to many in Cyprus. All very innocent. Sweet kisses, lots of respect and true friends. When he returned to the UK he sent me a record. That record was 'Woman' and I was heartbroken he had left me without a backward glance. Back in London in the 80's we met and finally came together. A perfect six months between us, where we shared our souls. He has gone to another place now and I miss him. Ever the romantic...that's me!

Finally back to my roots. Yep. Van The Man. Thirteen years old and 'Into The Mystic' blew me away. Had a lot of fun listening to him tonight. Funny really as I never listen to him now because his songs bring so much of my past back to me and sometimes that is hard.

So former old schoolies out there and all you 'Gypsy Souls'....I will attempt a link to a wonderful and beautiful cover of the song.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAft9O0Lsss&feature=related

I hope it works as I am IT incontinent. His name is Lukas Grant.

I'm tired but happy tonight.

Stay strong and true to yourselves and Bloody Sing!

Muse x

PS Mr S. Your last post was lovely but I could not comment on it for some reason. Big Hugs. Muse xx