Noticeboard: 17th December 2020
Usually at this time of the year it's a mad scurry of Christmas music events, concerts, get togethers and carols, not least Carols on the Bridge which would have been held on December 21st. We've never had to abandon that because of the weather, though it's got close sometimes, and when I celebrated the fact last year, no one could have imagined its first cancellation would be due to a virus.
There are various bits of ad hoc carol singing going on (legal outside and in groups of up to 6). The Bridge Singers and Tim Cooper are organising some, and I think the Coquet Concert Band could take to the streets. If it isn't too bad an evening I think I'll stroll to the bridge on the 21st at 6.30 (the tree is up and lit) and sing through a carol or two to maintain the tradition. If anyone else happens to be there that would be great, as long as there's social distancing, and extra big spaces between every 6.
At least there's a hope that we'll be able to hold it next year. That'll be December 20th, 2021. See you there.
At the time of writing we're waiting for the announcement about which Tier we are going to be in. With numbers rising in the west of the county and the prospect of a post-Christmas increase, I'm not optimistic. But, as soon as we are allowed to meet inside as we could between August and November, the Nightingale Activities will light their lamps again. There aren't any dates on the calendar, but the intention is to pick up the same pattern that we had before: Slow Tunes and Sessiony Session twice a month on a Saturday afternoon, Ukuleles/Guitars and Exploring Music on alternating Wednesday afternoons and Pitched Percussion on Friday evenings. And All Blown Out of course. As soon as we get the green light, I'll be in touch with those who have been coming along. So if you are interested, do make contact.
Drop In song and listening packs will appear in people's inboxes every Sunday without a break for Christmas and the New Year. Again, do say if you'd like to receive them.
It's going to be a very different sort of Christmas for just about everyone. It could feel a little less busy. If you are looking for something to do, there are 4 new Mini-Projects to entertain you. Mini-Projects 102 to 104 are based on well known Christmas carols. They're aimed mainly at people who find reading music difficult or have not really done it, but those who have got more skill could find them quite entertaining. Starting with a song you know, think about the patterns you can hear and use logic to relate them to the written versions. All the information the most beginnery person could need is there – that's why there's a lot of text. They're fun to work through with children too.
Mini-Project 105 is about listening carefully and finding out how much you can notice. It went down well with some Drop Inners when it went out with a recent pack, so it has been added to the Mini-Project collection. Not Christmassy, but some lovely, very short pieces of classical music to listen to and think about. Go straight to the Mini-Projects here www.feltonmusic.co.uk/mini-projects
If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback or would like to join a group email felton4music@gmail.com