Start To The Summer Season

Apologies if the last post was rather YouTube intensive. As you can see we have a significantly larger repertoire this summer, with many new pieces, in the main because we are performing by ourselves. The even better news is that for the first time ever, nearly all the pieces of music were ready for collection and I can start practising. Well done to whoever organised that. I will be lucky if I can learn two pieces of music per week, so I need all the time I can get!

Returning to rehearsal is like returning to school - you just don't get to see everyone in the choir over the break, although, like in the holidays, you do meet up with some friends. It was wonderful seeing familiar faces, especially of people who spent last season out and have returned. There was a lot of chatter and a lot of laughter.

We also had our first open meeting of the season, and I think of the year, where several important things were discussed. The one which has most impact on me was on the use of digital materials in promotional and private use. It is something which we needed to talk about, because as we enter the digital age, there question of what people should be able to do with their photos and videos has arisen. Everyone was very sensible and expressed their needs and concerns in a very logical way. In the end I think we were pretty much on the same footing, so it will be good to see what policy eventually comes out of this meeting.

The other topics at the meeting covered possible overseas trips to Reykjavik and Malta (woo hoo!) and our increasing involvement in Various Voices. Adam has really taken his role on board, and it is good to see that he is disseminating information of where we are and what is needed from the choir so authoritatively. Michael also gave a brief on the slightly revamped small group: by giving everyone a chance to rehearse in sets of three, the intention is to not only improve your individual sound and improve blending, there is also a greater incentive to learn your line and your words. Great for the individual, but even better for the choir as a whole.

Singing-wise, we started both Italian Salad and Somewhere. Somewhere is particularly beautiful, and as we are doing it a capella, will make a fantastic number when we finally polish it. As it is we have already gone through half of it.

Not that many new members joined at this first meeting, although we allegedly have 22 on the waiting list. The majority are said to be coming next week - how exciting! We really need more basses.

Summer Repertoire Part 1

Here's a quick list of the pieces currently on our repertoire for the summer season! There's bound to be something you like. And the really good news is that there is more to come - we are supposed to be learning a total of 22 pieces for summer.

America


Begin the Beguine


Come What May

Edelweiss


Forever Motown
Dancing In The Street


I Can't Help Myself


Back In My Arms Again


Reach Out, I'll Be There


I Heard It Through The Grapevine - This performance by Marvin Gaye has to be heard to be believed!

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted


Ain't No Mountain High Enough


If We Hold On Together


Italian Salad Err... can't really vouch for this one, either in quality of the recording or the choir!


Love Song For A Vampire


Bruckner Motets: Graduale (Locus Iste)

Karl Jenkins Requiem: Introit, Dies Irae, Lacrimosa and In Paradisum

Somewhere

Son Of A Preacher Man

There Is Nothin' Like A Dame


Your Song

Beautiful Girls

If you did end up watching The Choir: Boys Don't Sing and were wondering what song Imran sang juxtaposed with Stand By Me, I've tracked it down! It is Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston in the YouTube video above. Hey, I know I'm behind the times but I don't listen to pop music much okay?

You're way too beautiful girl,
That's why it'll never work,
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal,
When you say it's over.

Damn all these beautiful girls,
They only wanna do your dirt,
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal,
When they say it's over.

See it started at the park,
Used to chill at the dark,
Oh when you took my heart,
That's when we fell apart,
Coz we both thought,
That love lasts forever (lasts forever).

They say we're too young,
To get ourselves sprung,
Oh we didn't care,
We made it very clear,
And they also said,
That we couldn't last together (last together).

See it's very define, girl,
One of a kind,
But you mush up my mind,
You walk to get declined,
Oh Lord...
My baby is driving me crazy.

You're way too beautiful girl,
That's why it'll never work,
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal,
When you say it's over.

Damn all these beautiful girls,
They only wanna do your dirt,
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal,
When they say it's over.

It was back in '99,
Watchin' movies all the time,
Oh when I went away,
For doin' my first crime,
And I never thought,
That we was gonna see each other (see each other).

And then I came out,
Mami moved me down South,
Oh I'm with my girl,
Who I thought was my world,
It came out to be,
That she wasn't the girl for me (girl for me).

See it's very define, girl,
One of a kind,
But you mush up my mind,
You walk to get declined,
Oh Lord...
My baby is driving me crazy.

You're way too beautiful girl,
That's why it'll never work,
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal,
When you say it's over.

Damn all these beautiful girls,
They only wanna do your dirt,
They'll have you suicidal, suicidal,
When they say it's over.

Now we're fussin',
And now we're fightin',
Please tell me why,
I'm feelin' slightin',
And I don't know,
How to make it better (make it better).

You're datin' other guys,
You're tellin' me lies,
Oh I can't believe,
What I'm seein' with my eyes,
I'm losin' my mind,
And I don't think it's clever (think it's clever).

You're way too beautiful girl,
That's why it'll never work,
You'll have me suicidal, suicidal, suicidal...

Also, if you thought the remix of Stand By Me and Beautiful Girls in the TV show was inspired or original, you will find that it has all been done before with varying levels of proficiency.

Pink Singers: A Hugill History

Yesterday Liang asked me to accompany him to a concert. We often go to the theatre together, but this time was rather special, because Liang was going to meet Robert Hugill. For those of you not in the know, Robert was the second musical director of the Pink Singers after Mark Bunyan, the first and founding member. Liang is working on compiling a history of the Pink Singers, and he decided to meet Robert and collect a bag full of old concert flyers and promotional material which Robert had stashed away in his attic.

The first thing to say is that Robert is an incredibly chatty and friendly man, and there was a real warmth about him. I could see the affection he had, and continues to have, for the Pink Singers in the animated way he would speak of the choir all those years ago. In many ways, although Mark created the choir, the new group was a fragile thing, and it was Robert who nutured it into the self-sustaining community we see today.

Liang and I had a quick rifle through some of the material Robert provided us with, and what a find it is! There are old concert programmes from 1985, a choir directory from the fourth European gay and lesbian choir festival (before it was called Various Voices, and before Legato was called Legato) and so many photos of Pink Singers of years gone by. It would be wonderful to get back in touch with the "choir of about 10 members who sing mainly cabaret", although Robert did mention with some sadness that several of those members are no longer with us.

As for musical material, much of Robert's body of work has been donated to the Hall-Carpenter Archives, so we now have a few leads on where to go next to find out more about the origins of the Pink Singers. One pity is that no matter how much sheet music, programmes and photos you have, the experiences and voices of the people who were there will be lost unless they are recorded. It was a real pleasure speaking to Robert about his history with the Pinkies.

So, how was the concert? Simply amazing. Robert is lucky enough to head up a choir called FifteenB (I asked him about this, and the title seems to have been a joke whick stuck for good or bad) whose main purpose is to sing works which he has composed. The works are largely sacred with some beautiful motifs, especially in a segment called Choruses from "Passion" based on a series of poems from an anthology by Carl Cook. The pieces were performed with incredible talent by a number of remarkable singers, and I want to highlight a soprano called Rowena Wells and a tenor called John Beaumont for having simply gorgeous voices. I think the Pink Singers have a good choral sound, but we have a way to go yet before we can attain that level of accomplishment!

Robert's works will be performed next on Saturday the 15th of March at Hampstead Town Hall where his piece Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night will be premiered. The choir performing will be the London Concord Singers, and it promises to be a treat!

I've added Robert's website, blog and MySpace pages to the Pinkie Friends links on the right, so do remember to check them out!

The Choir: Boys Don't Sing

I am one for soppy stories where a group of (relatively) deprived kids come from behind to show they can challenge adversity and work as a team, at the same time learning to know and respect each other, and find comradeship and pride in creating something together. It sounds like the stuff of movies, but in fact this is the premise of a documentary series which has just ended on BBC2 called The Choir: Boys Don't Sing.

In it, a choir master called Gareth Malone travels to a boys' school in Leicester where he is given the task of setting up a singing group who will perform at the Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. The four episodes take place over a period of nine months, but in that time it gradually dawns on this group of boys, who initially think singing is "gay" [sic.] and who come form very different cultural and social backgrounds, that they really love music and performing.

Being in a choir like the Pink Singers I can totally identify with their experience and journey of self-discovery, and the look on their faces when they realise that they can put on something special by working together is something reflected in my own. I remember my first season with the Pink Singers. I used to work in Tooting, but lived in Clapham, so I'd cycle to work every day, and on the way I'd listen to my music on my walkman and rehearse. It was such a feeling of pleasure, warmth and self-satisfaction to see us all create such beautiful sounds, and to think I was a part of it. I'm still slightly teary thinking about it!

I will admit that at times, occasionally because of personality differences, I can lose sight of that goal. But that is really what all choirs, and the Pink Singers in particular, are about. The Choir: Boys Don't Sing reawoke those dormant feelings in me again. Catch it on BBC iPlayer before it runs away - it is definitely worth the watch.

A Review Of The A4Tech Ergo A-Shape Keyboard And Mouse

This is going to be a quick review of the A4Tech Ergo A-Shape Keyboard and Mouse. I am not affiliated to the company in any way, shape or form, but have had a couple of people asking me how my new keyboard(s) are coming along, so I thought I'd kick off with the simpler one.

As I mentioned, when I was back in Singapore I had a play around with my cousin's Microsoft natural ergonomic desktop 7000 (seen in profile on the left). The main advantages to this keyboard is that it caters to your hand position in three dimensions. The keyboard is split, with the keys inclined so your wrist stays straight, it is also tilted away from you so that there is an slight "limpness" to the angle of the wrist, and on top of that both palms are rotated inwards, to give you as natural a position as possible. Typing on it was a real dream, plus the keys have a good travel, spacing and a comfortable bounce. I took to the new configuration like a duck to water. The only trouble with the setup is that the keyboard and mouse combo is ridiculously expensive.

So what is a skinflint supposed to do? Hurrah, eBay to the rescue and, a quick couple of clicks later, an A4Tech Ergo A-Shape keyboard and mouse arrived. The title is a bit of a mouthful, but the A-shape refers to the rather odd shapes of the keys, which incline outwards along a plane running to the right of the trapezoidal and convex Y, H and N keys. I've never seen this key configuration before, but the principle is quite nicely illustrated on the box, and in the animated picture here.

In practice, I am not totally convinced of its merits. Firstly, when I type on a regular keyboard I certainly don't type with my wrists knocking each other. Instead, I type as the lower picture suggests, with my wrists at a comfortable angle. What shape the keys are doesn't really matter in the least - they could be square, or circular, or, in this case, parallelograms with a slight concave upper surface, and it could not change the ergonomics of how I type. Of course this keyboard doesn't have the angling in the other two planes which the Microsoft keyboard has either, so, in reality, it is little more than a normal keyboard - a significant failure for a self-proclaimed ergonomic keyboard.

As a regular keyboard though, it works fine. The keys, in spite of their odd and rather redundant shape, are sufficiently precise with little "clickiness" or "smooshiness" (highly scientific terms for the feel when typing) and are damped just the right amount. My only annoyance with the keypad is that the enter key is half sized. I am used to bashing a huge enter key with my little finger, and find that instead of typing a carriage return, I end up hitting the # button more frequently than desired.

The keyboard comes with the usual media and internet control buttons at the top, and the good news is that all of them can be configured to whatever you like, including web shortcuts. Clicking on 'home' for instance now takes me to Google Reader, while 'email' opens up Yahoo! Mail. The only trouble is that the drivers for the keyboard come on a 3.5" floppy. Wha?! Thankfully the seller loaded the relevant programs onto a CD or I'd have to dig into my electronic trash collection to find one of those prehistoric drives.

I should also mention the mouse which comes with the system. It is smaller than the Belkin one I was using previously, and therefore more comfortable for my dainty hands. This too has its own drivers, and all three mouse buttons can be configured as you like. By default the middle mouse button calls up a menu with cut and paste and assorted other functions. I disabled it because it was getting in the way of opening new pages in Firefox.

Both the mouse and keyboard connect via radio to a base station which interestingly comes with its own charger for two AAA batteries. This is really useful since the mouse basically eats batteries for lunch. In contrast, the keyboard with uses two AAs has no such problems. The base station then connects to the PC via two PS/2 connectors, and not USB.

So, do I recommend the keyboard and mouse? Well, it professes to be an ergonomic keyboard, and it isn't really, which is a bit of a disappointment. That said, typing on it is pleasant enough, and it is a full-functioned keyboard, especially when you consider that it is probably out of production now and therefore very cheap. Know what you are getting into before buying!

What Century Do We Live In Again?

From the BBC:

An Israeli MP has blamed parliament's tolerance of gays for earthquakes that have rocked the Holy Land recently. Shlomo Benizri, of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Shas Party, said the tremors had been caused by lawmaking that gave "legitimacy to sodomy".

I never realised we had such super powers! It looks like I'll have a use for that lycra catsuit after all! So, does holding hands cause a minor tremor? Kissing a small rift? And what if we all do it simultaneously?

Image courtesy of the The Los Angeles Women's Auxiliary Superhero League.

Summer Season Starts!

The sun is shining outside, spring has sprung, and the Pink Singers summer rehearsal season starts this Sunday, so if you are interested in joining the Pink Singers, now is your chance to do it. New members can only join the choir in the first three weeks - basically because learning the music after that is really too difficult! - so let us know now. Best thing to do is get in touch with Ed, the new members' rep. See you at one of the rehearsals on Sunday 24th February, Sunday 2nd or Sunday 9th March 2008.

World Press Photo Competition

2nd prize in the contemporary issues section of this year's World Press Photo contest is this picture by Zsolt Szigetváry, simply entitled "Couple targetted in anti-gay violence await medical help, Budapest, Hungary". It makes you think... the mark of a really good photo. And I especially admire the couple who let their image make such a powerful statement. Well done indeed.

Of Mice... And Keyboards

I turned on (one of) my PC(s) yesterday to find that the mouse would only go in every direction but down. While most of the time I am fairly happy navigating Windows with the keyboard, I will admit that the mouse, a concept which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary - thank you Douglas Engelbart, adds much greater versatility to how you interact with your PC. I like to do basic Photoshop for instance, and you really need a mouse for that. So, it was time to pick up a new mouse and keyboard combo. Why both? Well I was using an ancient two-in-one wireless system - the mouse still used one of those roller balls - and I can't really lose one without abandoning the other.

Ever since I was back last year visiting my parents I have been lusting after what I think is the Rolls Royce of keyboard-mouse combos: the Wireless Desktop 7000 from Microsoft. My cousin had the wired version and everything, from the position of the mouse to the split keys with their gentle curve, was just so comfortable to use. Unfortunately, is is also ridiculously expensive, so I decided that, as much as I type, I don't really need one.

So, in the end, eBay fanatic and cheapo that I am, I went for the A4Tech A-type wireless keyboard. It is small and wireless which means I can use it in bed while watching videos on my PC, but more importantly it is also an ergonomic A-type keyboard with those odd inclined keys. I am holding my breath a little on this one, because typing on it could be a complete disaster, but we'll see. Watch this space.

In a fit of random purchasing though, I also went out and bought a Prodikeys PC MIDI from Creative for my bedroom PC, pictured at the top of this post. The previous version is demonstrated with a strong Singaporean accent in the video above. At the moment, when I am using Sibelius I just use the on-screen keyboard which is neither convenient nor particularly user-friendly. Not having a MIDI keyboard of my own I had a peek on Amazon for a small cheap one which I now know doesn't exist. I am, in no way, shape or form, a musician, but I do like tinkling on the ol' ivories and checking my line when I'm rehearsing, so a cheap one will do me fine. I ordered one of these keyboards as well, so it looks like I will have a number of new toys in the house pretty soon! Check out more on the Prodikeys on YouTube.

Er, so rather embarassingly, one mouse died and I ended up buying two keyboards (and a mouse) instead!

Edit: I've now posted a review of the A4Tech Ergo A-Shape Keyboard And Mouse.

Various Voices - In At The Deep End

The last concert was a wonderful success if we say so ourselves. All the members of the audience I spoke to loved our opening number of "Dies Irae" by Karl Jenkins. It was rhythmic, fast, exciting - a very much in your face number which hit just the right note. Other particularly memorable songs for me were "Come What May" and "Hymne A L'amour". Now we find ourselves taking a well earned rest but I for one am raring to go. I'm really looking forward to the new season with the addition of "Introit" to the Jenkins songs we're singing as well as a number of other new songs.

Of course yours truly hasn't been resting on his laurels. I've volunteered my services to Various Voices and attended my first meeting with them in January. True to form I suggested producing a video as a trailer and promotion for Various Voices to be uploaded to youtube with links from other sites. I'm glad to say that the committee was keen on the idea so I will be working with Emily to produce this over the next few weeks. I'm very much hoping that the Pinkies will be a part of the video as I see no better platform to promote ourselves for this event in 2009. As I joined the Pinkies in 2005, I just missed the last Various Voices which was held in Paris. By all accounts it was an amazing event with choirs from all over the world celebrating our joy of singing with each other. So I'm very much looking forward to 2009 when London will host the next event. The Various Voices committee is full of interesting and dedicated people who are working hard to make this a success. The organisation started nearly 2 years ago and as everyone is a volunteer it just goes to show how much this means to all of us. Much work has been done but much remains to be done. As a newbie to the group I found myself volunteering to do a presentation at the West London LGBT meeting in January - talk about jumping into at the deep end... Thankfully one of the more established members came with me to lend some support and I'm glad to say that it all went smoothly. It's also very encouraging to know that external groups are interested in our activities and will try to help if they can. With the event scheduled to be held in The South Bank, there can be no better venue for this. Sometimes I feel a bit daunted by all that remains to be done but I feel sure that it will be a big success - a chance to celebrate, enjoy, sing and meet new friends.

While on this break from rehearsals, I'm taking the chance to travel to Malaysia and Singapore for a wee rest. It's Chinese New Year this week so the place will be a riot of colours, noise and festivities. It's an exciting time to be visiting South East Asia. I'm rather glad to escape the cold and wet of UK though anyone who knows Malaysia will tell you that it's wetter here. Difference is that it doesn't usually drizzle all day and stay damp for weeks on end. We just have heavy downpours followed by bright sunshine minutes later.

Roll on February and here's to our first rehearsal on 24 Feb.

A Clone Apart

I am a certified geek, and as a card carrying member, can admit to actually liking the Star Wars series. Yes, even the ones with Jar Jar Binks. The thing is, Star Wars lends itself so well to spoofs, even the bits when it is trying to be funny. One of the more imaginative ones is Blue Harvest using the characters from the cartoon series Family Guy. With the increasing prevalence of video games containing graphics and physics engines, however, it is now possible to create your own films on the computer, an art form called machinima. A great example of this is 'A Clone Apart', a funny romp through the Star Wars universe using the Star Wars: Battlefront II engine. It is now up to Episode III and with any luck will make it beyond the film series which spawned it!

Wallpaper: The Prophecy

Mmmm. Pecs, pecs and more pecs, and all done in the most artistic way of course! Lovely wallpaper called 'The Prophecy' in super-duper high resolution courtesy of Beautiful Mag. I could do without all of the self-aggrandisement, but hey, if they put that much effort into it and release it for free, who's complaining?

I Love Isabella, Even As A Snail

When I was a kid I loved Isabella Rossellini. She was gorgeous in the Lancôme ads and blended that elegance and poise, and dare-I-say-it heritage, with something altogether more naughty behind those eyes. Than she got married to David Lynch and the arty-surrealist in her really exploded. In the latest twist she has released a series of short films for portable devices (e.g. personal video players and mobile phones) in which she dresses up as insects, then acts out how those particular creatures procreate.

Hmmm. Not sure I needed to know, but thanks anyway!

Hamburger In A Can

I love fast food. I especially love the Colonel's two piece chicken meal with gravy instead of a drink (poured over the fries of course). The appeal of fast food to me is that you pop into the 'restaurant', pick up the 'food' and eat it straight away. No cooking required. It is a worthy trade-in of nutritional value for convenience. That's why I don't really understand ready-meals, and I especially don't understand this random ready-meal from Germany which seems to combine the dietary void of a bad cheese burger with the hassle of having to boil the whole shebang in a can. And if you were going trekking, would you really be wanting to eat a cheese burger anyway?

It just looks revolting.