Christmas Minstrels in Seaford

What fun to be part of a VIP Customer evening for Christmas at the Nova Pharmacy in Belvedere Park, Seaford. Two Bays Choir was invited to sing three sets of Christmas songs and carols between 5.30 and 7.00 PM on Thursday evening, 25th November. Our dress was black with green or red tops to add a Christmas touch, and being minstrels for the evening, we sang both inside and outside the shop.

Standing under the canopy, the rain didn't dampen our spirits.

The choir mingled with the customers and enjoyed a glass of bubbly and some nibbles. There were great specials, and a couple of raffles during the proceedings.

Here we got into the swing, sadly coming between a customer and his Metamucil.

Around seven o'clock the singing was over, and many of the choir members had dinner at the pub across the road. Altogether a great evening and thanks to Sue for putting a few bottles on the table.

Happy days,
Ros

Genevieve Pizzey

Indigo Singers sang at a small and intimate memorial lunch for Genevieve Pizzey. Genevieve lost her battle with cancer after a long and brave fight and passed away on 22 September this year.

Indigo Singers in their deep blue scarves provide a musical tribute.

An extremely creative and musically talented woman, Genevieve had been a singer and choir director at times in her life, as well as painter, published poet, novelist and some time writer for the Age. She is survived by a host of loving family and friends.

Genevieve had a fine musical talent; she played piano and sang and attended The Conservatory of Music in Melbourne. She learned the Celtic harp quite recently. She loved choirs which were a large part of her life and she sang in and directed choirs around the world wherever she lived. Anywhere she went, she found a choir to join, or formed one. She joined ‘Indigo Singers’ in 2007.

Genevieve’s pastimes involved music, nature, writing, painting, photography and gardening. She wrote the novel, “Figures in a Seascape” and the “Tuross Carol” which was sung for the first time by ‘Indigo Singers’ at Genevieve’s Celebration of Life in October.

This new carol will be performed by Indigo and other choirs at a number of Christmas gatherings both this year and in the future. It is a lovely carol and a very fitting reminder of Genevieve every time we sing it.

Yours as ever,
Ros with thanks to Pam for notes.

Mornington Festival. Food, Wine & Performing Arts.

Main Street closes for this party featuring food, wine and performing arts.  Two Bays Choir occupied the outdoor stage in the afternoon whilst a stalwart audience braved intermittent showers to hear a selection of songs.

In keeping with the fun and cultural interest of the day, we performed songs from Africa, the Middle East, South America and Australian song-writer, Paul Kelly.

The Community Stage has a roof, but the audience is not so lucky.

Next year we hope for better weather and perhaps a shop verandah where the sound will project better.
Who knows...

Cheers,
Ros.

Melbourne Millennium Chorus 2010

The Millennium Chorus was brought together again this year by The Boite. Penny Larkins and Carl Pannuzzo were the creators and directors of the concert this year, the year of sustainable living.

Penny and Carl worked hard to create the international journey that took us from Australia to South America, Africa, Celtic origins, and back to our beloved land. Rehearsals were fun, the concerts were great, and the connection with so many other singers was (as always) very energising.

As your Resident Blogger, I want to say that this was my first Millennium Chorus and I loved every minute.
Miles of smiles,
Ros.

French Island Fund-raiser

On Sunday 20th June Simply Irresistible did a gig on French Island to help raise funds for improving the local hall.  We include in this post a few photos and a blurb taken from the French Island Community Magazine, August, 2010.

"It was a Sunday afternoon. The community hall was packed with the cacophony of expectation. Local resident Jane Unwin had invited the 20 strong choir "Simply Irresistible" (Mornington Peninsula), of which she is a member, to the Island for an afternoon of a'cappella music. This bubbling, energetic bunch of choristers treated us to songs we all know: "Summertime" with delightful twist with words about French Island; Billy Joel's "Longest Time", and "Money" when the hall was aflutter with one hundred dollar bills thrown with careless abandon by the smiling choir. Sue, the choir master, led us all in the simulation of an approaching storm. Hand clapping, knee beating and foot stamping rolled, wave-like, around the room. Our rendition of angry, inclement elements was most professional!"

Rhythmic beat, voices soaring.

"... we were blown away by a set of African songs. The rhythmic beat with primitive syncopation, the voices all soaring, dipping, conspiratorial, immodest and feather. It didn't matter that none of us understood one word in any song. The choir's emotional renditions brought the hall into silent awe. ... that afternoon has to be one of the most beautiful events on the island"

"Money" and throwing it around!

Hope you enjoyed the memories, and if you weren't there, that you have a sense of the fun and energy of the afternoon.
 
Cheers everyone,
Sue.

Mornington Peninsula Choral Festival 2010

For the whole afternoon of Saturday, 15th May, we were busily involved with the Choral Festival held in the lovely environs of Toorak College at Mt Eliza.

After a great warm-up in Mary Herring Hall, the performances continued through the afternoon with two or three choirs singing concurrently in different rooms and halls at the school.

Making Waves

All four of our choirs performed splendidly: Simply Irresistible, Indigo Singers, and Making Waves in that order, and finally Two Bays Choir was last to leave the stage at the end of the Festival.

Two Bays Choir on stage for the finale

What are your memories of this event. It will be great to have comments from you.

Ros.

Christmas in Mornington, 2009

Red and green made the Christmas colour scheme, and smiling faces went with the familiar and the new melodies for Christmas in the Main Street.

Singing for Christmas, 2009



Out in the sunshine to sing



Saint Peter's Church Fete

This year, Indigo Singers who rehearse at St Peter's Church in Mornington, sang at the St Peter's Fete, on 19th October, 2009.

Dulcit tones amongst the plants and books for sale, and the barbecues

Millennium Chorus, 2009. Our Land Our Home

What an energising experience - again - to be part of the Millennium Chorus.

The Melbourne Millennium Chorus, 2009

One of the songs that was great fun was "Singing For Rain" which begins with the rain starting and becoming a thunder storm. As you look at the YouTube video below, watch the grinning faces while the action unfolds. What an appropriate topic for our poor drought affected country-side.

For those who know us at Two Bays Choir, there are lots of familiar faces.



I would add a comment as your Resident Blogger, who was not around for the 2009 event, that the songs on the CD are great and it's a great pleasure to listen to them for inspiration.

Miles of smiles,
Ros.

Singers Festival, Daylesford. January, 2009.

It was cold at night, believe it or not!

Singing in the chapel.