The Big Garden Birdwatch is on January 26 – 28, so let's celebrate birds in song.
This is singing just for the joy of singing in company. The first of the Felton Music activities to be established, it’s relaxed, informal and cheerful. No concerts, and different songs to enjoy each time.
Each session is based on a theme, and we work through 8 or 10 songs more or less linked by subject matter. Songs from musicals, folk, pop, jazz, children’s songs, hymns, rounds - anything might come up.
There’s no need to read music, though it’s provided so if you like using it you can, or if you are interested in how it works, you’ve a chance to get more used to it. No need either to come every time - you drop in whenever you want, and take pot luck with what’s on offer. And definitely no need to feel you have a good singing voice - or indeed any sort of a voice at all.
Most of the songs are pretty well known, though there’s a scatter of less familiar ones. There’s often an optional second part for those who’d like to tackle it, and we occasionally venture into very short bits of three part harmony and give ourselves a thrill.
There are usually at least a dozen people, sometimes as many as 16, so we fit snugly into the conservatory of one of our members, on a variety of chairs and a sofa. At half time there’s coffee and biscuits. Weekly for most of the year, sessions are fortnightly from May to August, allowing people to enjoy the lighter nights.