WHC

Harmony by the Harbour .....

2009-08-04T17:50:00.001+10:00

I followed the sound to this group of Korean singers at Circular Quay last week.
It was lovely to stand and listen but I wanted to join in especially when they started to sing "Siyahamba" that I had learnt when singing in Sava Savu Fiji in 2007.
They were a Christian group and were singing as an Outreach from their church.
It was interesting to see them discussing the pitch note and then it was played by a girl with a violin for them to sing.
Nice .....

Debut Performance

2009-07-10T14:11:00.002+10:00

Here is our newest quartet. To be called Vivace
They performed for us on Wednesday night and hopefully will be doing their concert debut on Sunday?

Jill - Baritone, Helen - Bass, Denise - Lead, and Rosey as Tenor.
Well done girls it was lovely.
Sounding good.

Fun at the Bush Dance

2009-06-28T23:28:00.001+10:00

I'm not sure if we should dispute the winner of the table decoration competition....
Was this 'fire' on the table? No but with the lanterns and gum leaves etc it all tied in - LOL
Everyone went to a lot of trouble to decorate and dress to the theme and the Wongawilli band had everyone's feet tapping.
Not quite so sure of my knees today though!

On Saturday night we had a great time at a bush dance which was organised by Karen as a fundraiser for the chorus.
I don't know if we raised lots of money but we had lots of fun!
It was lovely to see the families having fun together and see the kids joining in and learning the dances etc.
Just like the 'old' days - does that show my age?

The coffee was good ............

2009-06-28T22:55:00.001+10:00

In May we had a singout at the Retirement Expo at Kembla Grange Racecourse.
We sang for the 'hordes' of prospective retirees who were there to investigate the seniors living options and the prepaid funeral plans!
It was a cool blustery day and we had a great coffee afterwards.

An OLD friend .............

2009-05-28T22:42:00.001+10:00

We were rehearsing the night before our performance at Convention when a chorus who had been using an adjoining rehearsal space had to leave via our room.
I was 'chilling out' between songs (as you do) and aimlessly watching the girls from Harvey Bay Seabelles filing thru' the room when .............. I saw a familiar face!
It was Elvy, an old friend from Narrabri who I hadn't seen for at least 15years!
I dashed out and grabbed her - to her surprise - until she recognised me that was!
We caught up for a chat and reminise at the bar the next night.
The kids were surprised when I told them I had seen 'Mrs Elvy!' - she had taught them all at Pre-School.
It's a small world made smaller by my friends in Sweet Adelines.

The fashion Parade ....

2009-05-12T22:42:00.000+10:00

Karen and Jill looking pretty spiffy in the marigold jackets.
AND - Denise sure made an entrance in the Tails!
GO GIRLS!

Cobie and Joy say 'goodbye' to WHC

2009-05-12T22:32:00.000+10:00

Cobie has moved up to Sydney to Epping to live closer to her place of employment and Joy is heading off to the Continent for an extended holiday.
We wish them both well and hope they will come back to visit us when they can.
We'll miss you guys!

Are we excited?

2009-05-12T22:27:00.000+10:00

All the hard work has paid off!
Not quite 600 points but 591 is pretty good I reckon.
Awarded first in the AA medium sized chorus and second over all.
Second in Australia is a reat effort.
Well done Jan and well done WHC!

The Make-Up Police!

2009-05-10T23:27:00.000+10:00

In order to get our make up just right we were allocated to rooms at Wrestpoint where a make up 'checker' oversaw all of the stages of our make up application.
THEN came the big guns!
Some of us were sent back for MORE, MORE, MORE .....

The Mass Sing ....

2009-05-10T23:09:00.001+10:00

What a great experience to be able to sing with so many other Sweet Adeline sisters.

Jan and Tonic do us proud ...

2009-05-10T23:03:00.000+10:00

Here are the girls as they came off stage.
Well done - 9th in Australia!

The Eyes have it ............

2009-05-10T22:44:00.002+10:00

Here is a collage of part of our performance for family and friends the next day.
Everyone was pretty switched on and feeling ready for our foray to Hobart in just 4 days time.
Here comes WHC we're on our way to the top!

We had a busy day!

2009-04-25T23:06:00.002+10:00

Here are some photo's of the 'lead' lesson.
We all had our turn interspersed with multiple POD's each time Virg's phone alarm went off. What a busy and productive day.
I think we are starting to live up to our costume.
There was lots of singing with chords a-ringing!
More of the same tomorrow in preparation for a full dress rehearsal at 2pm.
Move over Endeavour - Hobart here we come
HUH-HUH-HUH or in the language of Tarzan .... AHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!

ANZAC DAY 2009

2009-04-25T22:57:00.002+10:00

LEST WE FORGET

It's just a brown slouch hat with the side turned up, and it means the world to me.
It’s the symbol of our Nation—the land of liberty.
And as soldiers they wear it, how proudly they bear it, for all the world to see.
Just a brown slouch hat with the side turned up, heading straight for victory.

Birthday girls ...

2009-04-25T22:46:00.002+10:00

Happy birthday Virg and Judith!

Getting ready for a big weekend .....

2009-04-24T23:03:00.004+10:00

Virginia arrived yesterday and is already into the swing of coaching .... I'm not quite sure what these guys were demonstrating here? The hokey pokey?

Here is Virg with Rosie, Denise, Helen and Jill - a new quartet in the making. Debut coming soon.
Lovely shot girls - its hard to get a good one of everyone.
Worth waiting for eh?

The new Management Team for WHC 2009

2009-04-24T22:54:00.002+10:00

Minus Judith! She is standing for another term as Chorus Manager. Goodone.
Congratulations to everyone and hope you enjoy your time 'in office'
Great to see some newer members 'take up the reins'
You'll find that you will learn heaps about the organisation.

Welcome to the Sisterhood .....

2009-04-24T22:31:00.001+10:00

Just click on the collage to see it BIG!
Well done girls!

Quiet Achiever

2009-04-23T21:37:00.002+10:00

Here is our 'Quiet Achiever' for 2009.
Each year prior to Convention, Choruses are asked to nominate a member who has given 'over and above'to their chorus in the last year.
This year WHC has nominated Ilona Barr.
Well done to Ilona - she certainly deserves the title.
Fingers crossed that RMT thinks the same and she is chosen as the winner for 2009 for Region #34

By sections ..........

2009-04-06T09:39:00.006+10:00

Here's the lovely FRONT ROW with their Raining Men umbrella

BEAUTIFUL BARI's (minus Karen who was raffling - and doing a GREAT job)

TERRIFIC TENORS

LOVELY LEADS (sorry Anne!)

BRILLIANT BASSES
As you can see we think we are the 'light' of the chorus - especially Helen!

But wait there's more ....

2009-04-05T22:28:00.003+10:00

Here are a few more performing pictures.
Don't we look spiffy in our new attire?

The green looks really nice on stage ..... even though it is a trifle warm to wear!

Here we're getting 'into it' - the angles look nice.

Then there's the good 'old faithful - black and silver. Love the glitter and 'bling' of all the sequins and assorted 'jewels'

Looking good ladies!
DOWN THE TILES

Pick of the Pics!

2009-04-05T22:21:00.000+10:00

Here we are dodging the 'Raining Men'!
What a great concert we had today at Wonoona/Bulli RSL.
We got together with Doreen Bryars and her Lamplighters and had a wow of a time.
My good friend Maureen took a beaut selection of shots while we were performing and I have some from the dressing room!
I can be paid NOT to publish :-)
I am working on getting a few more up for you to look at as a reminder of the day.
It was a great practice for our performance in Hobart in just 4 weeks time!

From all angles ....

2009-04-02T09:33:00.000+11:00

Here's a bit of this and that.
The overall effect is pretty stunning.
Go Neryl!

Lookin' good......

2009-04-02T09:13:00.000+11:00

Here we are - first try out of our new costumes.
LOOKIN' GOOD!
Of course it will be a better look with the make up and red nails etc.
It's all systems go as we gear up for our concert with the Lamplighters next Sunday.
I'm on a bit of a 'go slow' after oral surgery - yuk.
Not so much pain now and the continuous feel of the 'fork up the nose' is passing thank goodness.
Be AOK for Sunday I hope!

A busy weekend for WHC

2009-03-22T21:42:00.002+11:00

WHC has had a busy coaching weekend with Cathy Rainey from Perth.
My weekend began with a Bass practice on Friday night.
It was a bit scarey!
Was I singing the correct notes?
It was a great learning experience once I got over my stage fright.
I just hope I can remember it all - but then I do have my trusty voice recorder to replay the highlights to stimulate my ageing memory cells.
Posture, posture, posture for me, better breath control and a 'fork up the nose'
Oh well......

Saturday night brought a friendly laid back BBQ with Cathy by the Lake at Barb Scott's home.
Thanks Barb - a great night.
This also brought forward a resurgence of the renowned WARRIGALS (minus one or two) with their rendition of FAME.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

On Sunday morning bright and early, we met up at Edmund Rice College for our days coaching session and what a day it was too!
As always Denise and Jill get us hyped up and nicely stretched with our physicals before we get onto the risers to sing.
We are learning to love 'Mack the Knife' with it's great back beat!

Cathy worked us all hard both chorus members and director alike to hone our skills with our musical production and choreography.
Who needs visits to the gym when we can get workouts like this on the risers!

Energy, energy, energy and sing through those phrases!
Don't forget to turn those dipthongs and match the vowel sounds!
Not to mention remembering all about'Thuffering Thuckitath' with out old mate Sylvester to increase our resonance.
Check out the Tenors and Bari's doing a classic 'Sylvester'!

Now we just have to practice, practice, practice and keep up the good work as we prepare for Hobart.
It was a 'NICE' tired at the end of the day.
But then I was 'on a promise' and had a date with another mate in 'black and white'.
A really nice way to finish the day and chill out for a bit.
I can recommend it!

A touch of Sweden .....

2009-02-26T00:00:00.002+11:00

Tonight we had a whole dose of Sweden with Viveka Boettge from Stockholm City Voices Chorus.
What a dynamic lady and a great coach - pity she lives so far away!
We learnt all about Sylvester the Cat - 'Thufferin' thuckatash!' - does this really increase resonance?
SURE it does - as well as building stronger abdominal and muscles of the lower back! Ase told me to feel the breathing from my lower back - now to add this to the concept. I am yet to admire the look - what do you think?

This is something I will have to practice but I'm not sure if it will be in front of the mirror! But then again I am told that both Sylvester AND the mirror are my friend. I guess it goes hand in hand with the whole concept of not being just 'me' but being part of a 'unit' and doing my best to achieve my best. I have to keep my "committee" under control - maybe that was my problem when I was a 'Boardie'? Hmmmmm
I certainly had fun and enjoyed trying the different slant that Viveka put to the 'up' tune. Sure makes it more interesting and maintains the energy. No more chorry changes though Jill!!!

Here we are - looks like we are having fun eh?
A great time was had by all and I'm sure we all learnt heaps, where did the time go? Now to do Jan's trick and 'PRESS SAVE'.

Day 2 and photo pose .....

2009-02-08T17:39:00.001+11:00

Day two of our workshop was as full on as the first.
We spent time going over the new choreo for our 'up' tune and it's lookin' good!
Now to hammer it into our brains and muscle memory.
Well done to Jill and her 'back beat' helpers for all the work they have done to get it all together.
The music is also coming together and we have to all remember to sing relentlessly at all times.
Here's a 'freeze frame' of a possible photo pose. Thanks to Bethany and Jan for these photo's - I can't believe that I forgot my camera today. Must have been my eagerness to get there on time this morning! Nothing to do with any 'senior moment' - nah!.
We spent time after lunch with Virg explaining the SA judging categories and then sang in smaller groups with particular emphasis on showmanship.

Another great coaching weekend which wouldn't have been as successful without the hours of work put in by Jan as our Director and other members of the Team working together to ensure it all ran smoothly.
Good luck to Virg and Christchurch Chorus as they prepare and head out to NY in a couple of weeks to sing at the great Carnegie Hall - what an experience.

What a way to finish off a HOT day!

2009-02-07T21:04:00.001+11:00

After a hot day working hard on our comp songs, what a better way to 'chill out' than a dip at nearby Towradgi Beach!
We'll be back to it 'bright eyed and bushy tailed' tomorrow morning ready to work on perfecting our technique.
I'll sleep tonight thinking about 'eyes and thighs' .............. oh well

Where are the basses?

2009-02-07T20:55:00.002+11:00

The Chorus is having a coaching weekend with Virginia from NZ and everyone is working hard.
Virg is giving the leads a good work out and the bari's are outside with Karen and Jan ... matching voices. Lyn has the tenors working around the other side of the building - BUT, where are the basses? Hiding away where nobody sees?.............. Nah - It was our turn to have a rest as you can see - Ali is up to no good but a good way to cool down in our heatwave conditions. We ALL worked really hard as we aim for OVER 600 in Hobart.

Significant birthday for Pat!

2009-02-07T20:39:00.002+11:00

Here is Pat blowing out her candles.
The cup cake creation as made by Jann McNeill and we all sang happy birthday to Pat in harmony of course!
There were eighty cup cakes but Jann assured us that that was just so that there were enough to go around and not necessarily the number of Pat's years!
They were yummy too.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT!

Our New Venue ....

2009-02-05T22:26:00.004+11:00

We were invited to sing at a Christmas party at our new rehearsal venue - the George Cross Maltese Falcon Club. This was the first time most of us had seen our new rehearsal place. They were a lively audience and appreciated our performance - even though the ladies all liked to chat. LOL.
I think it will be a good liaison

Strutting Our Stuff ....

2009-02-05T22:25:00.002+11:00

Here we all are singing up a storm.
Maybe we should recruit these transient visitors to become members
of the Chorus?

Congratulations Cobie and Joseph

2009-02-05T22:23:00.002+11:00

Wishing them health and happiness
in their lives together
Here they are
Mr and Mrs Harradine

A Very Special Sing Out

2009-02-05T22:21:00.002+11:00

On Saturday 24th of January, under the trees at Jamberoo Valley Lodge, members of Wollongong Harmony Chorus were priviledged to be able to sing at the wedding of one of our special members.
Cobie was the 'baby' on the risers until recently and we have watched her as she has developed into a beautiful young lady and a confident member of the front row.

All aboard that train ....

2009-02-05T22:08:00.002+11:00

Our Family and Friends Concert for 2008 was our last performance at PKRSL.
We all hopped on that train and sang up a storm.
We all had fun including the audience - kids included.
Grandson Harry enjoyed seeing Mardie on stage!

He also had a ball on the dance floor.

The importance of FACES .....

2009-02-05T09:58:00.014+11:00

Aren't faces important?
Jan and Jill tell us EVERY week - 'we need more faces!'
I just love the smiling faces that I see each week at Chorus.
Well sometimes they are not all smiling but hey life happens and for the main there are always LOTS of smiles!
I like putting them all together in a collage so here are a few of them.
Firstly here are some faces from our concert 'Christmas Dreaming' 2006.
Some of these girls have moved on now - it's nice to remember their faces.

Then 12 months along are Faces of the 2007 Christmas Concert - can you guess the theme?

There was great excitement last year when four of our number joined up with Virginia's Christchurch Chorus to sing with them at International Convention in Calgary. Here they are in one of my slouch hats - a true Aussie icon.
L-R Betty our Bass section leader, Ilona - another bass, Frances who sings lead and Jill our choreographer - we won't hold it against her that she sings baritone!
What a great experience this was for them.

Being part of the Chorus gives me a group of very special friends and who more appropriate to share my 60th birthday celebrations?
As you can see from the photo, I have another obsession - HATS.

The last lot of faces for this posting is from our Retreat last year with the lovely Rathane campsite as the background. It's a beautiful peaceful place. Not so peaceful on Saturday night as the place reverberated to the soundtrack from the Rocky Horror Show and we danced to the 'Time Warp'!

We say goodbye to the Board of WHC and to PKRSL.....

2009-02-03T23:35:00.002+11:00

Well, it's the end of an era in our Chorus history.
The Board has been superceded by the Management Team - onward to the future.
And, the Chorus leaves PKRSL as a rehearsal space and moves to Cringila and the George Cross Maltese Falcon Club.
We are still waiting for the Ode at 9pm but it's great to have a 'cuppa' and a socialise after rehearsal.

Getting ready, performing and then a drink afterwards....

2009-02-03T23:11:00.002+11:00

It is an exciting time, getting ready to perform at Convention in front of your peers.
All the preparation for just those few minutes 'on stage' - as everyone tries their best. Our quartet 'Jan and Tonic' with their trophies for Most Improved Quartet in Brisbane 2006.
It's also good to relax afterwards with a glass or two (well we basses do anyway!)and relive the experience.

Friendship for Life

2009-02-03T22:47:00.005+11:00

The Chorus has rehearsal every Wednesday night and for a number of years, this was held at the Port Kembla RSL Club.
Each year prior to ANZAC Day the Turkish community have a celebration called 'Friendship for Life' to remember those who died on both sides of the Gallipoli conflict of WW1. The Chorus was asked to join in this celebration and we learnt the Turkish National Anthem in Turkish to lead the singing at the service. It was a challenge but it was also special to be involved in this significant ceremony.

More 'sing outs'

2009-02-03T22:36:00.002+11:00

Don't we look as though we are having fun?
At a concert in the town hall in Wollongong - doing our '60's' songs, at the Illawarra Folk festival, at Warrawong Shopping Centre and at the local at Bunnings.

Retreats and 'all that jazz' ....

2009-02-03T22:23:00.001+11:00

Every year we have a special coaching weekend away from home to spend some time together as a group and to do even more singing!
As well as the serious stuff though, we have a concert and a bit of fun and let our hair down - sometimes literally eh Natalie? We usually have a theme and here are Jan and Karen being 'Green'.
We have had a couple of weekends at Fitzroy Falls out of Robertson for the 'Follies' and the last two years, we have travelled up to Rathane in the Royal National Park at Port Hacking. It's a lovely spot and a great time is had by all. Virginia joins us from NZ (she makes a good 'Fried Egg'but that's another story) and we can usually fit in some serious singing too.

Christmas carols ....

2009-02-03T22:02:00.002+11:00

We entertain at various venues such as Nursing Homes and shopping malls around the Illawarra at Christmas time.
I love carols and that's when I first saw the Chorus and thought that I would like to join - way back when.
At Christmas we wear a black t-shirt with a sparkley Christmas tree.
I have had so many people come up and ask me where they could get one!
Here we are - at Warrawaong, at Howard Court, at Dapto Mall and as part of the Christmas Concert at WIN stadium in 2006.

Performance

2009-02-03T19:56:00.000+11:00

We love to perform.
Some of these photo's were taken at performances leading up to Convention which are a great way for us to practice our competition songs. We usually have an annual concert with the Sydney Mens Choir and also one for our 'Family and Friends leading up to Christmas. This year we will be performing with the Lamplighters who are a Mens Choir based in the Wollongong area. As you can see we have a varied array of costumes from the traditional Aussie look with jeans and vests for our Australian package and then the more formal glitzy competition attire with lots sequins and sparkles. Our regular costume for local 'sing outs' is our gold polo shirt and black pants. The pink scarves were worn when the Chorus sang at a local function for Breast Cancer at WIN stadium.

Here's Virg..........

2009-02-03T19:32:00.001+11:00

Here's a few faces of Virginia...........
Always with a smile of encouragement as she is coaching or in fun as she joins in with night time antics.

Visiting Coach's

2009-02-03T18:44:00.002+11:00

A big part of Sweet Adelines is education so we have regular coaching sessions at WHC and here is a collage of some of our visiting coach's.
The first coach I remember as a new member of the chorus was Jim Arns.
He was a vital little guy from the US and certainly kept us on our toes for this session at Ribbonwood Centre in Dapto. I remember him describing how the members of his Chorus were so keen that they walked part of the way to Convention to get fit. He was also the first person I heard described the shape of vowels. The 'O' vowel being tall and not a sideways 'Oooo' like you do for 'road kill' I certainly wondered what I was letting myself in for!
Eddy Martinez was good fun and a great teacher too - I made him a bow tie which he wore with his t-shirt!
Cathy Rainey who was Director of the fabulous Perth Chorus for 20 years or so also comes over to give us some tips and hone our skills. We all enjoy our sessions with Cathy.
A very enthusiastic and skilled Sweet Adelaine from Sweden is Ase Hagerman. Ase taught us some great moves in warm ups and was very thorough in working with each individual chorus member. From these sessions, she gave us all at least one area to work on to become better singers. I have to concentrate on where I take my breathe - through to my back - she is demonstrating that to me in the photo!
I have left Virginia Humphrey-Taylor until last. Virg is our regular coach who comes to us from Christchurch in NZ where she directs the Christchurch Chorus. She is an inspiration to us all and a great teacher. As well as coaching the Chorus as a whole and our quartets, she also coaches the Musical Director. Our current Director Jan McCarthy is hoping that we will make her a master Director by scoring over 600 points in Hobart. We'll be trying Jan!

Warm Ups .............

2009-01-30T00:27:00.002+11:00

We LOVE warmups.
Especially in the summer - NOT.
But when it's cooler they are great and I love the music and the fun that we have as we stretch and warm up before getting up on the risers.
At every get together, be it rehearsal, retreat or coaching session we have a physical warm up session.
Denise is our usual leader in this endeavour but sometimes Jill,our choreographer puts us through our paces.
Karen our Assistant Director does a great 'sit down' session as you can see in the collage.
We all enjoy these sessions.
They are a great introduction to our singing sessions and blow away the cobwebs of a working day and get us in a relaxed and toned state of body and mind so that we can give our best to our singing.

The story continues ..........

2009-01-26T18:01:00.007+11:00

My First 'Sing Out'
Now this was a bit of a scarey time for me and my newbie buddies.
We had passed our riser tapes and declared 'ready' to sing in public as part of the chorus.
We wore costume for the first time and learnt how to apply the stage makeup required including the red nails!
Here we are - ready to sing the National Anthem at the finals of the local soccer competition at WIN stadium. Wendy, Anita, Angela and Jan have all moved on ....

It was FREEZING and we couldn't hear ourselves singing and there was feedback so that when we did hear it, we were a phrase behind what we were singing - make sense?

Anyhow it was my introduction to singing in public as part of chorus family.

How it all started ....

2009-01-25T23:24:00.001+11:00

Let's start at the very beginning ....
Somehow all things seem to stem from the 'Sound of Music' don't they? LOL.

I first saw Wollongong Harmony Chorus performing Christmas carols at Shellharbour Square Shopping Centre. I was 'blown away' by their sound and they seemed to be having such fun. I thought what a great bunch. I had not long moved to the area after 30 years living in country NSW so was looking for a niche for myself in the big city.
I guess this must have been Christmas 2002 as I joined up after a membership drive at Ribbonwood Centre, Dapto in early 2003.

I wasn't sure where I fitted in relation to voice part so started off and passed my audition singing Bartitone. I soon found out that the bari's sang all the notes that no-one else wanted so 'saw the light' and became a 'Brilliant Bass'!
I feel at home in the Bass section with all my 'bass buddies' (in more ways than one) and I am certainly more comfortable signing in the lower register.

I had to have my photo taken in front of this window!
By now it is May 2004 and we have travelled to Adelaide where I sang in my first Sweet Adeline's Convention. What an experience!

Here we are on stage! We came 5th - my first medal.

And of course we celebrated afterwards ........... the journey had begun!