Join us for what promises to be a mmm...munch-tastic morning and help us raise money for our family of choirs.
See you there!
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Last week we started looking at our new piece of music. Where We Belong, is a piece composed by Bridie Jackson, to mark our 50th Anniversary year. Many of us contributed to the lyrics and discovered much about ourselves along the way.
Check out the whole track and the individual lines, by clicking below for a link to recordings in dropbox. If you experience difficulties, use our Contact Us page to ask for support. Remember to scroll down for parts and full recordings of our pieces for our exciting 50th Anniversary season. Rehearsal help for these songs
Country Roads, One Day Like This, Rhythm of Life & Fix You is available on Bandlab. Click on this link to find them Sedgefield Lyric Singers by Rob Guest | BandLab If you are new to Bandlab, it is possible to download the recordings, then edit them to isolate only the lines you wish. If you need some instructions, contact us (via our Contact Us page) and we will try and help you out. Good Luck! Save the date of Sunday 26th May.
This is the day we will be hosting a workshop and performance at Ushaw College. More details to follow. Looking forward to seeing you there! Hi,
We held our AGM last week. Reports were given which suggest
Committee positions were elected: Chair: Clare Reid Vice-chair: Margaret Smith Secretary: Avril Hannon Treasurer: John Hannon Librarian: Kay Marsland Publicity: Dawn Bellis SCA Link: Sarah Guest Additionals: Elaine Thompson, Connie Spring, Gill Hook & Aileen Darnton Musical Director (Lyrics): Rob Guest Accompanist (Lyrics): Kristen Peacock SLYC: Rob Guest & Kristen Peacock Lirica: Rob Decisions: it was agreed to defer making any decision on making charitable donations until the autumn, when the cost of the 50th Anniversary events could be confirmed (and all subs have been paid.) Future events: Commissioning of piece by Bridie Jackson - ongoing Film making with Carl Joice - ongoing Concert at St Edmund's at the Mediaeval Fayre, May 18th (11am TBC) Concert at Chapel in Ushaw College, Durham, one Saturday in May/June. TBC Anniversary concerts in St. Edmund's - June 28th & 29th Anniversary Celebration afternoon - Saturday, 20th June, in Ceddesfeld. Anniversary cake cutting- at rehearsal in October. AOB Three queries were raised concerning:
Robyn Vinter of The Guardian writes, Jan 29th 2024.
Playing a musical instrument or singing is linked to better memory in older age | Older people | The Guardian (Click for link) Playing a musical instrument or singing is linked to better memory in older age. Piano especially associated with improved mental processes in those over 40, Exeter University research finds. Playing a musical instrument or joining a choir is linked to better memory and thinking skills in older age, research has found. The piano was especially associated with a better brain in those over 40 in the study from Exeter University, which reviewed data from more than a thousand adults and looked at how much experience the people had in participating in music. The scientists investigated their brain health, including mental processes that help in planning, focusing, remembering, and juggling tasks – known as executive function – and found those who played an instrument scored more highly. Singing was also linked to better brain health, but the researchers said social factors of being part of a group may also play a role. Anne Corbett, professor of dementia research at the University of Exeter, said: “A number of studies have looked at the effect of music on brain health. Our Protect study has given us a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and music in a large cohort of older adults. “Overall, we think that being musical could be a way of harnessing the brain’s agility and resilience, known as cognitive reserve. “Although more research is needed to investigate this relationship, our findings indicate that promoting musical education would be a valuable part of public health initiatives to promote a protective lifestyle for brain health, as would encouraging older adults to return to music in later life. “There is considerable evidence for the benefit of music group activities for individuals with dementia, and this approach could be extended as part of a healthy ageing package for older adults to enable them to proactively reduce their risk and to promote brain health.” Caroline Scates, the deputy director of admiral nurse development at Dementia UK, said: “The results of this study are positive, and echo similar research into the benefits of both listening to and playing music for people living with dementia. “Music can provide a valuable form of communication for people living with dementia, including listening to music that the person may have a connection with even in the later stages of the condition. The ability to make or play music – whether by singing or playing an instrument – can continue even when people living with dementia have lost other abilities and means of communication. “If you know someone living with dementia who enjoys or has enjoyed singing or playing an instrument, it can be beneficial to keep these instruments or sheet music to hand for them to play or read.” Playing music in childhood linked to a sharper mind in old age, study suggests | Music | The Guardian. (Click for link) Dates for your Diary: Choirs resume Friday 5th January, 2024 Friday 5th January - choir resumes & Carl Joice, film maker, in attendance. Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Friday 26th January - Workshops with Bridie Jackson Friday 9th February - Annual General Meeting, 7.30pm, Ceddesfeld Hall Friday 23rd February - no rehearsal (Half Term) Friday 29th March, 5th April and 12th April - no rehearsal (Easter Holidays) Friday 17th May - rehearsal, St Edmund's Church, 7.30pm Saturday 18th May - Mediaeval Fayre Concert, St Edmund's Church (11am tbc) Friday 31st May - no rehearsal (Half Term) Friday 21st June and Tuesday 25th June - rehearsals, St Edmund's Church, 7.30pm Friday 28th June and Saturday 29th June - 50th Anniversary Summer Concerts, St Edmund's Church Saturday 20th July - 50th Anniversary Social, Ceddesfeld Hall (times tbc) List of songs with links to complete choral performance, from Rob: Ching-a-Ring Chaw - Copland, arr. Irving Fine - https://youtu.be/uTZLoeHubWo?si=BncBxGpO4YXZs_B5 Rose of England - Ivor Novello You Raise Me Up - Brendan Graham and Rolf Lovland, arr. Roger Emerson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxC8FA0VbHc And So It Goes - Billy Joel, arr. Bob Chilcott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVdt3x9jdOk Fix You, Coldplay, arr. Jonathan Wikeley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5l3uT3fuKE and BandLab Rhythm of Life - Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, arr. Richard Barnes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uC1GScoUQg and BandLab Over the Rainbow - George Heatherington version Cantique de Jean Racine - Gabriel Faure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyb6uSVKhXI&list=RDpyb6uSVKhXI&start_radio=1 Country Roads - BandLab Tequila Samba, from Encores for Choirs - Guy Turner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRsUGMWTeSU The Ground - Ola Gjielo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NorBm-T0MKA La La Land - Justin Hurwitz, arr. Mark Brymer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaeXBqY0ZwY The Lord Bless You and Keep You - John Rutter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trBZSVW6oXM One Day Like This - Elbow, arr. Paul Ayres – BandLab Links to parts, for own practice The SATB parts for the following pieces are on Rob’s Bandlab page, thanks to Rob, Kristen and Tom. See email dated 28/12/23,for link to the BandLab page. BANDLAB:
I am still looking for parts to
Links to individual SATB lines on YouTube: As always, these are as good as I can find and solely for your personal practice; they are not intended as a substitute for attending rehearsals. Other versions are available which may suit your approach better. Hope they help! Dx Ching-a-ring Chaw. Copeland-arr. Fine Soprano: [Soprano Part] Ching-a-Ring Chaw arr. Fine [Choir Rehearsal Track] (youtube.com) Alto: [Alto Part] Ching-a-Ring Chaw arr. Fine [Choir Rehearsal Track] (youtube.com) Tenor: [Tenor Part] Ching-a-Ring Chaw arr. Fine [Choir Rehearsal Track] - YouTube Bass: [Bass Part] Ching-a-Ring Chaw arr. Fine [Choir Rehearsal Track] (youtube.com) You Raise Me Up. Graham/Loveland -arr. Emerson Soprano: You Raise Me Up / SOPRANO / Choral Guide - Arranged by Roger Emerson (youtube.com) Alto: You Raise Me Up / ALTO / Choral Guide - Arranged by Roger Emerson (youtube.com) Tenor: You Raise Me Up / TENOR / Choral Guide - Arranged by Roger Emerson (youtube.com) Bass: You Raise Me Up / BASS / Choral Guide - Arranged by Roger Emerson (youtube.com) And So It Goes - arr. Bob Chilcott Soprano: Choir/chór And so it goes - Soprano + score - YouTube Upper Alto: Choir/chór And so it goes - Alto I + score - YouTube Lower Alto: Choir/chór And so it goes - Alto II + score - YouTube Upper Tenor: Choir/chór And so it goes - Tenor I + score - YouTube Lower Tenor: Choir/chór And so it goes - Tenor II + score - YouTube Upper Bass, with solo line included: [Choir Rehearsal Track - Bass 1 Part] Joel - And So It Goes arr. Bob Chilcott [Choral Lines] - YouTube Upper Bass: Choir/chór And so it goes - Bass I + score - YouTube Lower Bass: Choir/chór And so it goes - Bass II + score - YouTube Cantique De Jean Racine -ed. Desmond Radcliffe Soprano: Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Soprano Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Alto: Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Alto Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Tenor: Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Tenor Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Bass: Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Bass Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Tequila Samba, Guy Turner (from Encores for Choirs) The Tenor and Bass lines are sung with female voices, but the notes are correct. Soprano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLkfW6tZIp8 Alto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCj7_sZQ5sM Tenor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7EWdEyjBmo Bass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqELTPFgIUc The Ground- Gjeilo Soprano 1: SOPRANO 1 .The Ground . Gjeilo (youtube.com) Soprano 2: SOPRANO 2. The Ground . Gjeilo (youtube.com) Alto 1: CONTRALTO 1. The Ground. Gjeilo (youtube.com) Alto 2: CONTRALTO 2 .The Ground .Gjeilo (youtube.com) Tenor 1: TENOR 1 .The Ground . Gjeilo (youtube.com) Tenor 2: TENOR 2 . The Ground . Gjeilo (youtube.com) Bass 1: BAJO 1. The Ground - Gjeilo (youtube.com) The Lord Bless You And keep You -Rutter. The Tenor and Bass lines are sung with female voices, but the notes are correct. Soprano: The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter) SATB Choir [Soprano Part Only] (youtube.com) Alto: The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter) SATB Choir [Alto Part Only]*from bar 10 (youtube.com) Tenor: The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter) SATB Choir [Tenor Part Only]*from bar 10 (youtube.com) Bass: The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter) SATB Choir [Bass Part Only]*from bar 10 (youtube.com)
Looking forward, 2024 promises to be a tremendous year as Sedgefield Lyric Singers celebrate its 50th anniversary. With lots of interesting projects lined up to help mark this worthy milestone, watch out for further news of exciting events and pencil into your diary the dates of our special, celebratory concert - June 28th & 29th, in St. Edmund's church.
Happy 2024! STEP INTO CHRISTMASStep Into Christmas - a festive concert by your family of choirs.
Welcome to my Christmas song I'd like to thank you for the year So I'm sendin' you this Christmas card To say, "It's nice to have you here." I'd like to sing about all the things Your eyes and mind can see So hop aboard the turntable Oh, step into Christmas with me. (Bernie Taupin / Elton John: Step Into Christmas) Join Sedgefield Lyric Singers, SLYC & Lirica, as they Step Into Christmas for their seasonal concert. Dates: Fri 8th & Sat 9th December Venue: Sedgefield Parish Hall Time: 7:30pm So, in the words of the song... Take care in all you do next year And keep smilin' through the days If we can help to entertain you Oh, we will find the ways. So merry Christmas, one and all There's no place I'd rather be Than askin' you if you'd oblige Steppin' into Christmas with me. Tickets £7 or £5 U16s, available at Tickety Boo, by calling 01740 621196, or from members of the choirs. Here are Lirica, poised to perform at their annual concert in Ceddesfeld last Saturday. What a performance! Beautiful blending and great dynamic control created an overall gorgeous sound, making this the best I think I've heard them. An impressive range of styles including Disney, Gospel, Religious, Soul, Classical, Rock and Folk added to the enjoyment, whilst lyrics in Russian and Latin, as well as in English, confirmed how diverse and talented this group really are. A thoroughly fabulous evening of musical entertainment! Thank you and Well Done! If you missed this little treat, then save the dates of December 8th and 9th, when Lirica will be performing alongside SLYC and The Lyric Singers in their Winter Concert. Look out for further details at the end of November. Well Done again, Lirica! Thank you for a fantastic evening of entertainment. Hi,
I've scoured the internet to try and find recordings of lines for our Winter selection and must admit to being a bit disappointed. The meagre offering below is the best of all I have been able to find so far. There is the usual mix of versions: some with words; some with a visual score: some with just notes. I must admit I find a couple of them hard on the ears. For The Snow, I have included a choice of two recordings: I found the version with isolated lines difficult to follow because of the long rests; whilst the version with all four lines together made it difficult to identify the notes in my own part. Your preference may well be different to what works best for me. If you discover these versions do not match the arrangements we are singing, please let me know and I will remove them. As usual, these are here to assist with your own practice. They are by no means a substitute for attending rehearsals and, as always, Rob will wish to colour each piece in his own way. All that said, I hope they are of some help. Dx Links to the complete arrangements, sent by Rob: The Snow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTLlnOf-Ftk Ecce Novum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIE9yZJE_I4 A Bit of Holiday Cheer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml5WlUY5ccY We Three Kings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjqGvtfh54E As Lately We Watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6sUYuwMBus Individual Lines: ECCE NOVUM SOPRANO 1 : ECCE NOVUM - SOPRANO 1 ISOLATED - YouTube SOPRANO 2 ECCE NOVUM - SOPRANO 2 ISOLATED - YouTube ALTO 1 :ECCE NOVUM - ALTO 1 ISOLATED - YouTube ALTO 2 ECCE NOVUM - ALTO 2 ISOLATED - YouTube TENOR :ECCE NOVUM - TENOR ISOLATED - YouTube BASS :ECCE NOVUM - BASS ISOLATED - YouTube THE SNOW SOPRANO: The Snow by Edward Elgar - Soprano - YouTube or The Snow: Edward Elgar - SOPRANO (practice score) - YouTube ALTO: The Snow by Edward Elgar - Alto - YouTube or The Snow: Edward Elgar – A***LTO (practice score) - YouTube TENOR: The Snow by Edward Elgar - Tenor - YouTube or The Snow: Edward Elgar - TENOR (practice score) - YouTube BASS: The Snow by Edward Elgar - Bass - YouTube or The Snow: Edward Elgar - BASS (practice score) - YouTube A BIT OF HOLIDAY CHEER SOPRANO: A Bit of Holiday Cheer SOP - YouTube ALTO: A Bit of Holiday Cheer ALTO - YouTube TENOR: A Bit of Holiday Cheer Tenor - YouTube BASS: A Bit of Holiday Cheer BASS - YouTube WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME SOPRANO: Wonderful Christmas Time - SOPRANO | Arr J Birchall - YouTube ALTO: Wonderful Christmas Time - ALTO | Arr J Birchall - YouTube TENOR: Wonderful Chirstmas Time - TENOR | Arr J Birchall - YouTube BASS: Wonderful Christmas Time - BASS | Arr J Birchall - YouTube I am still trying to find accurate versions of the other pieces. If you find some, please let me know so I can share them. Dx Support our very own lovely soprano,
Lesley Posmyk as she raises money for CoppaFeel, the Breast Cancer Awareness charity by trekking round Mont Blanc in the Alps Read Lesley's story, Make a donation or Come to the Ceilidh! This Friday, 11th August, Wolviston Village Community Centre 7:30pm start There's a bar too to quench your thirst! Buy your tickets by clicking on: Lesley Posmyk event tickets from TicketSource. Or scan the QR code on the poster. That's just £8 for a great night of live music, dancing, fun and all whilst supporting a worthwhile charity. We'll be there, dancing our socks off - hope to see you there too!
I Sing Because I’m Happy
Support our very own lovely soprano, Lesley Posmyk as she raises money for CoppaFeel, the Breast Cancer Awareness charity by trekking round Mont Blanc in the Alps Read Lesley's story and Make a donation. Buy tickets for her fund-raising charity concert Saturday, 10th June, Ceddesfeld Hall 7:30pm Featuring, Lirica, Whisky & Wine, Sarah Guest and more. Tickets £7 / £5 available from [email protected] Rob & Kristen, or, on the door. On Friday 17th March, we had fun singing Song 2 by Blur, arranged by Alison Crutchley.
Watch us here: youtu.be/_LfVN4Pj54U Woo Hoo! After almost 50 years of dedicated service, Audrey Lofthouse has stepped down from Committee duties with Sedgefield Lyric Singers.
Audrey has been a committed and invaluable member of our singing community since 1974, when The Lyrics was founded by her late husband, Derek. She embodies our Choir’s principal of offering friendship through a shared love of music. Over the decades, Audrey has dedicated herself to her committee roles, including as Chair and Secretary and, for the last 20 years, as Membership Secretary. This role she made her own. Ensuring absent singers know they are missed and cared about, sending cards and flowers in times of celebration, or distress, and even just remembering everyone’s name, is not an easy thing with over 60 singers on board! Audrey has consistently embraced it all with precision and care. However, Audrey’s most valuable asset, is not her committee work, but her dedication to the everyday success of our Choir. She has been a mainstay of the Sopranos for almost 50 years, where she is a modest, generous, charitable soul who has the ability to welcome and be interested in, young and old alike. No matter what, she remains bright and cheerful and finds words of encouragement for others. She is an indomitable mix of beloved Grandma and very strict teacher, keeping us all on our toes. We look forward to singing with this well-loved member of The Lyrics, long past our Choir’s 50th anniversary, and are delighted to take this opportunity to recognise and share with you, the tremendous impact Audrey has had on The Lyrics. Thank you Audrey! Notes from the AGM 3rd February 2023
1. Subscriptions Choir members voted to replace all current subscriptions with a single annual subscription, paid in January. The subscription for this membership year (2023/24) will be £60. This figure represents a reduction in costs for those attending rehearsals most regularly. If possible, please make the payment by on-line bank transfer. Bank details are available from our treasurer. Please, reference your surname. New members joining the choir after May, or September, will pay a proportion of this. There are a few possible variations to the above:
2. Charitable Donations The meeting also agreed to make charitable donations in 2023/24 of £200 to Durham Foodbank (Trussell Trust) and County Durham Furniture Help Scheme. 3. The Officers and Committee members elected Chair: Clare Reid; Vice-chair: Margaret Smith; Secretary: Avril Hannon; Treasurer: John Hannon; Librarian: Kay Marsland; Publicity Officer: Dawn Bellis; Committee members: Aileen Darnton, Gill Hook, Connie Spring and Elaine Thomson. 4. Audrey Lofthouse After almost 50 years, Audrey Lofthouse has stepped down from Committee duties with Sedgefield Lyric Singers. She was presented with flowers and thanked for her service and commitment to our choir. Welcome back everyone and welcome to all our new singers!
Remember to check out our rehearsal and concert dates on the Join Us page and the performance schedule for all our choirs on the Hear Us page. I have been hunting out links for the parts to some of our songs for this season. I can't find all of them, but the ones I have found are just below. The are in different formats: some have words, others are just notes; some show the score, other do not; some are good quality, others not so much. However, they may be of use for personal practice. They are not a substitute for attending rehearsals and no doubt Rob will wish to colour them in his own way. All that considered, I hope you find them useful. ( Sorry, I couldn't find them all.) Happy Together arr Audrey Synder Soprano HAPPY TOGETHER SOPRANO REHEARSAL TRACK - YouTube ALTO 1 higher HAPPY TOGETHER ALTO 1 REHEARSAL TRACK - YouTube ALTO 2 lower HAPPY TOGETHER ALTO 2 REHEARSAL TRACK - YouTube Tenor HAPPY TOGETHER-TENOR REHEARSAL TRACK - YouTube Bass HAPPY TOGETHER BASS REHEARSAL TRACK - YouTube I Sing Because I’m Happy arr Kenneth Paden Soprano I SING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY - SOPRANO 1 LOUDER - YouTube Alto I SING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY - ALTO LOUDER - YouTube Tenor I SING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY - TENOR LOUDER - YouTube Bass I SING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY - BASS LOUDER - YouTube Cantique De Jean Racine ed Desmond Radcliffe Soprano Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Soprano Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Alto Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Alto Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Tenor Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Tenor Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Bass Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine - Bass Chorus Rehearsal Aid - YouTube Ubi Caritas- Gjeilo Soprano 1 Soprano I - Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo - YouTube Soprano 2 Soprano II - Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo - YouTube Alto Alto - Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo - YouTube Tenor Ténor - Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo - YouTube Bass Basse - Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo - YouTube Thank You For The Music arr Jerry Estes Sop Soprano Thank You for the Music - YouTube Alto Alto Thank You for the Music - YouTube Tenor Tenor Thank You for the Music - YouTube Bass Bass Thank You for the Music - YouTube The Mermaid arr John Whitworth Soprano Alto The Mermaid Alto Part - YouTube Tenor Bass The Mermaid Bass Part - YouTube Chatenooga Choo Choo arr Mac Huff Soprano Chattanooga Choo Choo soprano part with splits - YouTube Alto Chattanooga Choo Choo alto part with splits - YouTube Tenor Bass And So It Goes arr Bob Chilcott Soprano: Choir/chór And so it goes - Soprano + score - YouTube Upper Alto: Choir/chór And so it goes - Alto I + score - YouTube Lower Alto: Choir/chór And so it goes - Alto II + score - YouTube Upper Tenor Choir/chór And so it goes - Tenor I + score - YouTube Lower Tenor: Choir/chór And so it goes - Tenor II + score - YouTube Upper Bass, with solo line included: [Choir Rehearsal Track - Bass 1 Part] Joel - And So It Goes arr. Bob Chilcott [Choral Lines] - YouTube Upper Bass: Choir/chór And so it goes - Bass I + score - YouTube Lower Bass: Choir/chór And so it goes - Bass II + score - YouTube SLYC braved the cold to entertain the crowds at today's Farmers' Market. Lirica were in fine voice today too.
Our Final RehearsalOur final rehearsal will take place this Tuesday, 6th December in the Parish Hall, starting at 7:30pm till 9ish Setting Up A small group of helpers are needed to set up the stage on Friday. Meet at the Parish Hall, Friday, at 12:30pm. This should take approximately half an hour. Friday & Saturday's PerformanceLYRICS & LIRICA
Meet in The Fletcher Room, Parish Hall by 7:15 pm. Dress code: the usual black and blue Bring your official music folder (& music!) Please donate some mince pies / shortbread / Christmas biscuits. Bring money for raffle tickets. Join us after Saturday's performance for a Christmas drink, reflection and celebration in Ceddesfeld. (Bring more money!) Remember to smile. SLYC Meet upstairs by 7:15pm. Wear your SLYC T-shirt. Enjoy. Come along to Sedgefield's Farmers' Market tomorrow, Sunday 4th December and support SLYC and Lirica.
SLYC is performing on The Green at 10:15 am, followed by Lirica at 10:45 am. We hope to see you there for some Christmas cheer!
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