Success for local school choir
Carolynn Woodman has sent us the following report on the BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ School Choir Competition 2010.
Carolynn
‘Congratulations and thank you for entering your school choir into our special competition. I am delighted to confirm that your choir has been selected to progress to Round Two (i.e the semi-final)’ said the voice at the end of the phone and continued ‘You are down to the last six schools!’.
The unexpected phone call came just two weeks after our CD entry had been submitted for the 31st October 2009 deadline. My immediate response was disbelief as we had hurriedly recorded two songs during two lunchtimes, the NChant choir members had eaten their lunch in between ‘takes’ and some girls had been rushing in and out, off to see tutors and the like (which seems to be the way of things in a busy grammar school). In truth, I had forgotten all about our entry as one of the school choirs had been preparing for a week- long tour of California in the October Mid-Term break and this had become my focus.
However, the BBC wanted to come into school (The Rochester Grammar School) to film the choir’s performances, which a panel of judges including the Songs of Praise producers and music advisers view on 9th December 2009 in order to make the final selection. A date was duly agreed and NChant (the Senior School Choir) were very excited at the prospect of being on television!
On Tuesday 24th November, the competition organiser from the BBC arrived to film the choir and was accompanied by Douglas Coombes, the musical consultant for the event, who had come to run a music workshop with them also. This involved physical and warm-up exercises, singing exercises, some vocal improvisation and song elements too. After an hour’s workshop the girls had a break before they had to record their two songs: ‘I, the Lord of Sea and Sky’ by Daniel Schute (a hymn chosen from the prescribed list given by BBC SoP) and ‘You Will Be Loved’ written by Andrew Blyth and Tara Champness (own selection of an ‘inspirational’ song). The girls particularly enjoy singing the latter song and so we were pleased (and relieved!) that permission was given to use this song in this way.
NChant worked extremely hard during the BBC’s visit but many of them were struck with nerves once the camera was rolling (as the enormity of what they were doing sunk in). However, they sang their hearts out and whatever the result, I know this experience has been a very positive one for them. It has shown that their commitment and hard work over recent years has had an impact on their singing and this has also been recognised by the Headteacher, who is immensely proud of them. As a result of this the choir members will all be presented with certificates (at the forthcoming Senior Prizegiving) recognising their achievement, regardless of the result on 9th December!
NChant
Carolynn is the Singing Company Leader and Deputy Songster Leader at the Chatham Salvation Army Corps. She is the Choral Director at The Rochester Grammar School, a combined Mathematics/Computing and Music Specialist School in Rochester, Kent. The school currently has six choirs which rehearse weekly as well as many other music ensembles. As part of her role, Carolynn also carries out some community outreach to primary schools in the locality, teaching singing to children from the Foundation Stage (Nursery) through to Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form).
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately the 9th December result did not go in favour of NChant and the choir did not progress beyond the semi final. Nevertheless to be in the last six schools in this nationwide competition is a huge success and we offer the girls and Carolynn our heariest congratulations.