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| This is Why We Sing |
Having received the invitation to perform for the residents
at Brassall Village since long before who-knows-when in 2018, it was there we found
ourselves on September 1st, a small group of choristers standing
before a small bevy of Village residents, a significant portion of whom appeared
hopeful of some enjoyable entertainment, the remainder possibly curious to know
what lay in store. There was the
delightful Irene who before even finding her seat, unashamedly boasted of her happy
11 year’s longevity at the Village; her audibly challenged neighbour, Isobel,
who wandered down the hall with her wheelie securing a spot in the front beside
her ‘extra set of ears’ in Irene. George
and Cora, celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary found their
places at the rear of the sun filled multi- purpose dining room and others,
seated around tables, settled in for the afternoon’s entertainment.
Preliminaries completed by Alexis and poised at the ready along
with Margaret at the piano, a rousing rendition of “Happy Anniversary Cora and
George” set the tone and together we took the audience on a musical journey
from a welcoming ‘Well Hello’ to a
snapshot of songs the Choir men will be bringing to their ‘Terrific Tenors’
concert on 8th September. The
ladies in black-and-white lined up for ‘I Love a Piano’ to be followed by the
full complement of choristers performing well-known, well-loved songs which
have defied time and generations for their popularity, culminating with the
emotive ‘Why We Sing’, the reasons by way of its poignant lyrics and the sheer
joy of its singing leaving no doubt. With
Alexis having introduced each song with a short preamble, many old souls found
they were so familiar that quiet participation became unavoidable. Other songs generated tears and lots of hand
clapping while the odd ‘wadidshesay?’ required some rough-hewn
translations. Is it not that one of the
joys of ageing is the privilege to say and do pretty much anything when it gladdens
and inspires your day?
Our entertainment ended generating a standing ovation and a
handful of calls for ‘just one more?!’. And so it was with an impromptu
performance of the beautiful South African freedom song ‘Siyahamba’ that the
concert completed and we joined with the gracious and appreciative residents of
Brassall Village around tables adorned with delicious treats for afternoon tea, the
gift of our singing still throbbing in our veins having transformed these
delightful people who clearly shared our love of music and through their joy, a
gift in return.
By: Sue Walker
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| Taking every opportunity to have FUN |
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| The Unruly Students of 'Karlsberg' |
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| The Musicians |
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| Denis - 'I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' |
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| 'Eric the Naughty' |
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