h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We're singing tonight:

Elgar Te Deum
Lauridsen Fire Madrigals
Elgar Give Unto the Lord
Duruflé Requiem

It should be a nice concert but I'm not sure that we'll get an audience, as another well-known choir are singing the Bach B Minor Mass tonight.

I'm all dressed up now in my monkey suit and ready to go!

Bonne chance.

Are you all safely back from Paris? I hope you had a wonderful time.

Christiane.
AR80

21/III/2010 18.30 GMT

Good luck! It's been a while since I used to follow Madame North around to her choral concerts, but they were always enjoyable events, even to a complete classical music Philistine like me

It was a good night, although the audience was small. As someone said, small but perfectly formed. They were appreciative.

The Elgar pieces were straightforward - I found them rather dull but the audience liked them.

The Lauridsen Fire Madrigals are extremely difficult to sing, and even this second time performing them, they weren't perfect. Opinions differed in the audience from "excellent" to "very hard work". That's hard work to listen to, never mind to sing. I enjoyed them. Third time pays for all.

The Duruflé Requiem was absolutely stunning - it's an amazing piece and we had full forces for it - organ accompaniment, a choir of 21, a girl's choir for the Pie Jesu, and a baritone for a few solo bits. There were some obvious mistakes - I came in a beat early at one point, which is very obvious. I have no fear, so when I come in, you hear it. But it's the price you pay for not being timid the whole time. Haing said that, nobody is timid in the choir.

We had cups and tea and Mrs Barnes's buns afterwards.

Yes, we are not a timid choir: I and my neighbours on both sides had moments of precocious ejaculation too. You are far from alone, G.

Nice concert all told. Was somebody doing the Bach B minor as well? The Pro-Cathedral was putting on the Matthew Passion.

Having said to myself I must go and see at least one Passion concert this Passiontide, I was too lazy to get my a*se moving to a concert last night. Am now kicking myself, of course. I'm glad you professionals occasionally miss a beat. Once or twice a lapse of concentration has cause me to be one beat out, and I've felt so silly.

I'm afraid I'm timid, though, unless I know others next to me are relying on my entrance.

Yes, quite a few people I asked couldn't come because they were going to see the B Minor in the National Concert Hall.

Glad it went as well as it did. It could always be worse, eh?

Takes me back to my son's choir work! Like you, Gnomon, he had no fear. Blending in was second priority to making sure his vocal section was covered properly.

Most of the boys did tend to be hesitant and too soft unless challenged by a stronger voice. The leaders were known for signalling my son when the section needed filling.

Hopefully, it's been the same for you. Hit the notes strong and inspire the others to follow suit.

I recorded a performance of the Durufle requiem off the TV this week. I am looking forward to watching it at the weekend.