Rehearsal recordings : spring/summer 2023
These recordings are taken from our actual rehearsals. They are spliced into the different songs we are singing; you will need to forward-wind/rewind/pause etc to make use of this resource properly. To do this, use your mouse (or finger, on mobile devices!) on the audio controls below.
fRIDAY 9th June 2023
In general, you should be able to hear the difference in confidence as you've progressed through the weeks. Make sure you listen to not just these recordings but also those from the United Singers' rehearsals. They cover the same and different songs that are a vital resource to your individual confidence which will then have a positive knock-on effect to the two summer concerts. Note for your diaries: SUNDAY 18th June: Compulsory Joint Rehearsal in Hornchurch, 3:00pm ~ SUNDAY 2nd July: Strongly Advised "Compulsory" Joint Rehearsal in Hornchurch, 6:30pm. The reason why there are more joint rehearsals in Hornchurch than in Barkingside is because the Hornchurch venue is considerably cheaper to hire!
fRIDAY 26th May 2023
There is still work to do to ensure a confident performance, in less than a month's time, for some of these pieces. Unfortunately the main culprits seem to be the Sopranos. The lower parts are generally more secure but, because the Sopranos often carry the main tune, it is their prerogative to make sure their parts are secure, both rhythmically and melodically. This is because the audience will Always hear the tune first, above the harmonies. As a whole, though these pieces are all making progress and would be generally acceptable to an audience; however I can see the potential in you all and so expect you to meet that potential. Keep working hard and we'll be able to give an fantastic performance on both the 24th June and the 8th July. - Tom.
fRIDAY 12th May 2023
fRIDAY 28th april 2023
From Tom: Hello everyone. Tonight's rehearsal was really good and productive. In the last two rehearsals we have gone through the entirety of "Heaven For Everyone" and "Bleed Red". Please spend time on the rehearsal recordings, below, and the official Guide Tracks to reinforce your learning over the last two rehearsals. I will not be wanting to "note bash" any more this term, if possible, as it is now important to start polishing all the pieces in the programme so confidence is at its peak by the time we get to our first concert on 24th June. Thank you (and Well Done!) for your hard work so far - and don't forget to attend the United Singers' rehearsals when you can!
fRIDAY 21st april 2023
FRIDAY 31ST MARCH - joint rehearsal with united singers
Our second joint rehearsal was an opportunity to run through as many of the songs on the concert programme as we can and to gauge "where we are at", given its the end of the Spring Term. My thoughts are below, which I hope will help everyone. It was a lovely rehearsal with many of the USCE singers joining us and we made a great sound. Very enjoyable - well done! - Tom.
Sunday 19th march - joint rehearsal with united singers
We had an excellent rehearsal with the United Singers in Hornchurch on the 19th March. Please make sure you review the recordings below and familiarise yourself further with the pieces we rehearsed. Thank you. - Tom.
fRIDAY 20TH JANUARY 2023
fRIDAY 3rd february 2023
Please ensure that you focus upon generally embedding these four songs from now on. We will not be revisiting these particular pieces for some weeks and will not be able to "relearn" them note-by-note because we won't have time to - the focus will be firmly on their musical performance. Thank you.
SECOND block of songs (2 rehearsals): tHE HEAVENS ARE TELLING, SCARBOROUGH FAIR, LINDEN LEA, MY LOVE'S AN ARBUTUS & SUMER IS A CUMIN' IN
fRIDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2023
fRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2023
Please ensure that you focus upon generally embedding all of these songs - and those from the first two rehearsals - from now on. We may not be revisiting these particular pieces for some weeks and will not be able to "relearn" them note-by-note because we won't have time to - the focus will be firmly on their musical performance. Thank you.