The Choral Cruise Spring 2020 began on Friday 14 February and Festival Director Bob Porter sent us updates on their travels! The Choral Cruise is currently on hiatus during the current health crisis but we will return as soon as we can. If you think you might like to join us when the time comes, discover more about The Choral Cruise here.
The gang from the choral cruise spring 2020
19 Feb 2020
If you will forgive a poor joke to start with- bear with me.
Bert: I’m thinking of getting a dog
Harry: What breed of dog are you thinking of?
Bert: I’m getting a Labrador
Harry: No – don’t do that! Everyone who gets one goes blind!
The question is the balance between Nature and Nurture and the reason for the question is that I am trying to figure out – is it only nice people who sing in choirs or is it that singing in choirs makes people nice??
The question arises because we have just had a wonderful Choral Cruise with Fred. Olsen with a group of thirty lovely people. This little five-day trip has just been full of warmth and genuine affection within the group of delightful friends.
We performed to a packed Neptune Lounge last night, including:
Bob’s schmoozing Round
Ave Verum
Long Day Closes
Silver Swan
Lord is my Shepherd
Mr Miller Round
Bring Him Home
Not bad in five days! So thanks to all the singers for so much hard work – and to Glyn Harvey for his magnificent accompaniment ( and also to Jenny for stepping in while Glyn was being keelhauled for being a naughty boy).
This group will never come together in this exact combination, but let’s hope that some of us will meet up again at a Brandenburg event.
17 Feb 2020
Last night we supported the Interdenominational Service with some hearty singing in the hymns. I think it was appreciated and we had a good time. Then our regular one-hour rehearsal before dinner. Good progress.
We are quite a mixed bag of experiences choral singers and others who are less experienced. It is wonderful to see the group dynamic come together – socially all sorts of people are hanging around with other members of the group that they have just met.
Musically, the less-strong singers are rapidly becoming more confident and committing more to the ensemble - as a result of which, the more experienced singers are beginning to ease back on the effort as they begin to feel that they don’t have to carry all the responsibility. Today is a real singers’ day.
Two hours this morning as we docked in Antwerp including the better singers tackling – and nailing , may I say, The Silver Swan. Tonight we have another hour to reinforce the great work achieved thus far and then tomorrow is SHOWTIME!
Before the ship leaves Antwerp tomorrow morning there will be a brief excursion to my favourite Antwerp bar to sample a glass of the 11% (!) beer that Antwerp is famous for. If that doesn’t make the concert go with a swing I don’t know what will!!
16 Feb 2020
Easy to lose track of which day it is, but today is definitely Sunday!
Yesterday’s open session for all passengers was a triumph.
We learned the Bob schmoozing round (just a tiny conceit) and the bulk of Bring him Home from les Mis. Only learning by ear this is a pivotal session in the schedule as we doubled in size, which raises interest in the group onboard, and gives us a nice rousing final number for the concert on Tuesday.
The added bonus is that some of those extras are regular choral singers, and some very good. So that gives us a little reinforcement – especially a new Bass or two (good to meet you Kevin).
Last night’s rehearsal was strategically planned as a reinforcement session. Our repertoire now runs to Ave Verum, Bob schmoozing round, Bring Him Home, Hey Mr Miller round, The Long Day Closes.
Today we are still moored in Rotterdam (instead of Amsterdam due to poor weather).
I fancy I feel a shore trip coming on for lunch.
We are then joining the Interdenominational Service on board to swell the singing, followed by our regular rehearsal and dinner.
Rumour has it that there are birthdays within the group today and tomorrow so potential for merriment and there are plans afoot to dine in the “Special” restaurant tomorrow.
Special mention for our wonderful accompanist, Glyn Harvey who is doing a fabulous supportive job.
More to report tomorrow!
Captain’s Log
Stardate – 15 Feb 2020
Boarded yesterday (Valentine’s Day) and got the whole gang on board despite a fire alarm clearing the terminus for an hour during boarding.
First rehearsal last night was preceded by a cocktail party, compliments of our wonderful hosts, Fred. Olsen. It went with a swing – surely all choir rehearsals should start with cocktails???
Started with a round (musical not cocktails) – always a great idea to get maximum confidence.
We seem to have attracted a wonderfully eclectic mix of people (again!) and has anyone in the choral world ever heard of a scratch choir of thirty that has eight tenors and no basses?? So thanks to Michael, Arthur, Walter and Peter for switching to the dark side.
This morning we started with an influx of passengers on the ship by coincidence. Quite a mixed bunch. This is the real challenge – only singing by ear. It was a terrific session with another round and Bring Him Home nailed – at least the first half.
This is clearly a great group that has the potential to produce a brilliant concert on Tuesday if we keep on working hard. After two hours this morning we have another hour tonight before dinner.