I hope that everyone is keeping well and still enjoying the weather we have had over the past week. Colder and windier now maybe, but at least it’s not raining … for now at least. I have been sent quite a lot of jolly things to help keep our spirits up and am attaching a few today. Others will follow. As I said last time, let’s continue stay in touch and get support from each even if we can’t sing together on a Wednesday evening. But read on …
VIRTUAL CHOIR TOMORROW NIGHT !!!!!
For those who fancy it, we thought we’d try out a Zoom meeting for the Community Choir this Wednesday at 7.30 for about half an hour or so. It’s limited in what can be achieved but nice to see everyone’s faces. First though, you will need to download the Zoom app. To do this, go to https://us04web.zoom.us/ and click on the blue button top right "Sign Up, It's Free". Do this straight away and you will be ready to go when the time comes. Then, shortly before 7.30 tomorrow (Wednesday), click on (or cut and paste) this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/715139292. A remarkably youthful Karen will be in charge and she will explain all tomorrow evening. (NB You will see a button towards the bottom of your computer screen which will allow you to enable the video). I am attaching some words and music for a couple of songs that Karen will be teaching for you to print off in advance and depending on the success of this – musically, technologically and numbers wise – we will adapt things accordingly. See you tomorrow!
PHIL THE FLUTER
Phil’s funeral is today at 1.45 p.m. at Salisbury Crematorium. I attach the order of service for those of us who would like to remember Phil at this time. (find the title page here but the rest with the newsletter).
TONY HAWKINS
As many of you will know, Tony is in Odstock Hospital at the moment – weak but very much alive. Had Coronavirus not arrived on the scene, Emma Johnson, Britain's favourite clarinettist, would have been giving a recital in Shaftesbury last Saturday – an initiative instigated by Shaftesbury's favourite 94 year old. Emma herself shared the link to this video to Tony's son, Richard, and with the help of the wonderful staff in Whiteparish Ward, it was played to Tony that morning and though weak, Tony's fingers were seen tapping away to the tune. Here is the link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NYoPqq0k_F4&feature=share
MORE BEETHOVEN
Several people told me how much they enjoyed the virtual orchestra from Holland’s version of Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s ninth symphony. I am attaching An MP4 of a very different take on the first movement of the fifth. Thankyou David (bass).
FINALLY
I don’t know how many of you were privileged enough to hear the BBC war correspondent Fergal Keane on the Today programme yesterday. For those that didn’t you missed something quite remarkable. This is what he read:
This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.
Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.
If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning
John O’Donohue – as chosen by Fergal Keane
Stay well and keep singing
David