It never ceases to amaze me how much we sing without understanding the words. One instance which stays with me was taking part in a performance of Carmina Burana in Yorkshire in which the most rumbunctuous singers of the Drinking Song were a number of ministers from the Methodist strongholds up the valleys – absolutely teetotal, of course.  To this day I wonder if they knew what they were singing about.

So to sing, as we did last night in the carol “Sir Christemas”, “Wherefore sing we at a brayde” set me thinking that, as I had no idea what a brayde might be, I should try and find out.

The Internet is a wonderful thing.  Click here and there is an explanation that “at a brayde” can mean in an instant or immediately, a usage from the times of Chaucer.  The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary refers to to it as a corruption of the word “braid”, giving several possible meanings including that above, and also with fervour or with passion. Both meanings could apply.  I am sure Carlos will be delighted with both – as he is always exhorting us to sing both immediately, ie with his beat, and with full expression.

Sunday 20th September was the day of the joint concert with the Odawara Doctors’  Choir from Japan.  I think it is fair to say that everyone involved, choirs and audience alike, thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  There was a brief rehearsal in which we got to know each other and ran through the items we were singing together, and then we were straight into the concert.

The choir from Japan were delightful, both to listen to and to watch.  The ladies’ cream long sleeveless dresses and peach evening gowns (a mere male’s description) will no doubt give MW Choir’ s costume department food for thought!

The songs they sang were most enjoyable, especially a harmonised version of ” Doh, ray, mi”  from ” The Sound of Music” .  Their tone was pure and clear, their singing precise and with feeling.

Our own contributions were very well received.  Maybe we enjoyed singing all the more as we knew the music so well that we could afford more than just an occasional glimpse towards Carlos, which Carlos himself seemed to appreciate.

The joint items worked well.  The ” Cantique de Jean Racine”  was conducted by our own Carlos Alvarado and ” Sakura” by Hiroko Yamada – the latter started and finished together despite the MWC scores seeming to miss out a few extra beats which the Odawara Choir had in their versions.

There was time for a number of speeches and presentations, and a long interval for refreshments.

Odawara is one of Manly’s sister cities.  This afternoon brothers and sisters joined together do something special – to make music.  Once again, no scientific study is needed to prove the beneficial effects of making and listening to music – it was just self-evident.

Many thanks to Mark Renton for the photographs on this page.  Click here to see some of the pictures taken by Manly Council’s photographer.

The Choir AGM was held at the start of rehearsal on Thursday August 26th.  The President, Roger Pratt, spoke of our four successful concerts in the year from July 2014 to June 2015, and reported that the financial position is healthy.  Carlos Alvarado, our Conductor and Musical Director, complimented the Choir on yet again raising the standard of performances.

The Treasurers, Jan Gilham and Ros Dobis, resigned from the Committee due to other pressing commitments.  Roger thanked them warmly for all their efforts over the past year.  Anne Scollon (Tenor) was voted in to take over the position.  All other Committee members remain in post.

Joe Micali offered the Committee a vote of thanks for all their hard work in arranging rehearsals and concerts.  Roger responded by saying that although there were sometimes frustrations, he and all Committee members found the work most rewarding.

A number of questions and issues were raised by members, which the Committee will follow up over the next few months.

The meeting lasted half a hour, and then we were free to do what we go to CPPS on Thursday nights to do – SING.

It was a glorious day for our 40th Anniversary Gala Concert on Sunday last.  No worries about audience members queuing up in the rain for the doors to open, and no doubts that we would be able to serve refreshments on the terrace after the concert.

The concert itself must class as one our the best in recent years.  Gregory Kinda’s playing of Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto was both masterful and inspired, with the orchestra knowing exactly when to take charge and when to leave him in the lead.  His astonishing encore, Chopin’s huge Scherzo No 2 was a veritable tour de force.

Then came the Mozart C Mass in C minor.  It was time for all our energies and effort spent in rehearsal to come to the fore.  And it did.  No glitches, louds and softs in the right places, choir matching Carlos’ tempi (well, most of the time), and soloists who were absolutely transcendentant.  For the Choir, there was new experience of singing at times as two separate choirs.  It was a challenge both strategically and musically, and we rose to the occasion..

It was evident over drinks and nibbles afterwards in the setting sun that everyone, audience, soloists, orchestra and choir alike, had just taken part in an experience which would stay with them for some time to come.

A very fitting way to celebrate 40 years!

More photos are available for viewing by courtesy of Michael Mannington at volunteerphotography.org/40th-anniversary-concert

The Choir’s 40th Anniversary Dinner was held on May 27th in the most attractive Lounge of Dee Why RSL.  An excellent meal was accompanied by stories of the past forty years, told by our President, Roger Pratt, and by the one Choir member who can claim forty years continuous service, May Mackenzie.  She modelled the original ladies’outfit of a green dress, and John Moore joined in with an original men’s green bow tie.

After dinner, Carlos entertained us to some songs with his own guitar accompaniment.  He sang very sensitively, putting into action his instructions to us in the Choir on Thursday evenings to sing the sense of the words, not just the notes.

There was plenty of time to circulate and a good time was had by all.  Many thanks to everyone who helped to make for a most enjoyable evening, especially to Judy Williams who masterminded the event.

Here’s to the next forty years!