Help: suggesting song choices

Subject: Help: suggesting song choices
From: GUEST,Claire M
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 06:52 AM

Hiya,

So I've got a stay in Respite Care coming up. It's basically a glorified nursing home. There's always a church service some time in the week and I, like friends there, go for the music.

I was brought up on some unusual stuff for my age (I'm in my late 20s) and I'm desperate to get everyone singing 'Down In The Valley' and 'Bright Morning Star' (the non Xmas version) but the organisers seem to be set in their ways.

If it's sung at all I'd rather sing it with other people – my voice doesn't go loud enough by itself and singing too hard causes me a couple of problems I'd rather not mention........

Any ideas how to suggest said songs ??

Subject: RE: Help: suggesting song choices
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 07:29 AM

If you have a varied repertoire you can respond to the night. When I sang regularly it was easy to respond to Canadian, American, French, OZzie, Kiwi etc visitors to the club.
It gives you a reason to sing a particular song and draws in the visitor. It makes the evening more inclusive.

As to what songs to learn - chorus songs are always good (inclusive again) choose simple choruses. Comic songs are useful if you have to follow a bad sallad.

But do learn them, reading off the page leaves you little room to "act" the song, and to project you should be looking up at the back of the room not down at the page.

good luck and report back with your choices.

Subject: RE: Help: suggesting song choices
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 09:37 AM

You said it's a church service. "Down in the Valley" is secular.

"Bright Morning Stars are Rising" is more spiritual, but the leaders may not know the words or the melody. Why don't you give them a copy of it, and perhaps they will be able to use it?

Another thought - why not make a list of the songs you love, and ask if there can be a singalong after the church service?

Subject: RE: Help: suggesting song choices
From: Elmore
Date: 26 Jun 12 - 11:02 AM

Attn: leeneia. True, "Down in the Valley" is secular. Perhaps Claire meant "Down in the Valley to Pray", aka "Down in the River to Pray."

Subject: RE: Help: suggesting song choices
From: GUEST,Claire M
Date: 29 Jun 12 - 12:14 PM

Hiya,

Thank you Elmore. I did.

Subject: RE: Help: suggesting song choices
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Aug 12 - 12:50 PM

Claire,
You mentioned that you have friends there. Maybe you and your friends could meet to share some music, work up a song or two and present them to the organizers. If that doesn't work, a song circle might be the next step. An hour or two of singing what you like.

Subject: RE: Help: suggesting song choices
From: banjoman
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 06:25 AM

WE shall ovecome is a great song and is also listed in seveal hymnals - great to sing unacompanied so worth a thought.
Best of luck and let us know how you get on