Competition, Vindication, Learning

We're back! And the Pinkies come bearing a prize for second place in the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition. As you know, I have written about my misgivings when it comes to choral competitions, but in the end, I am quite happy to admit that I was somewhat mistaken, and the experience of being in a choral competition again was much more pleasant this time round.

Second place was a tremendous achievement, especially when you consider that we only had 2 months of vocal rehearsals and 3 weeks of choreography rehearsals. At the same time, none of the competition pieces are in our winter concert repertoire, which may be seen as dividing our attention a little. Even so, the majority of us recognized the challenge for what it was, and knuckled down to some serious memory work, and at the end of the say we could spend most of that short time polishing the performance.

Manchester is a beautiful city, even in the torrential rain and gale force winds, and the organizers from the MGLC were gracious hosts. This year, the real tragedy is that they did not manage to secure funding for the event, and are so reliant on ticket sales to pay back the bills for the event. I'm crossing my fingers that they at least break even, but from the way the audience filled the auditorium (even discounting the choirs) I am at least somewhat optimistic that this will happen. They deserve massive applause for making it happen this year though.

We arrived early at the venue, and because it was somewhat chaotic and there wasn't much room to warm up, we ended up rehearsing in the foyer. The stage check also proved to be a bit of a downer when we realised that the stage not only had no risers, it had wasn't even sloped. It put paid to the original plans for the cross formation for Locus Iste, but the consummate professionals we are, the show must go on!

And go on it did! Actually we were amongst the earliest to perform which meant there were fewer members of the audience in the auditorium. These conditions are hard at the best of times, but we put on a proficient performance and managed to get a standing ovation at the end of Italian Salad from some of the judges.

Choral competitions are always interesting because I have a vicarious interest in seeing how other choirs do things. Over the last five or so years the Pink Singers have maintained our sense of family, but our look has become ever more professional. I think Pinkies are proud to be Pinkies and this shows in how we dress, stand and behave on stage. There were a number of choirs who looked sloppy or messy, and very few who can "perform", and not just "sing", like we do. We were undoubtedly helped by our new pink accessories, the handiwork of the very diligent and skillful Mikki and Karin.

Then there are other choirs who are so beyond our league it just isn't funny, and it is both humbling and an honour to see such greatness. I'm talking of the eye-opening Cottontown Chorus, who are without a doubt, one of the slickest choirs I have ever seen. Barbershop is a difficult musical style at the best of times and they had such a beautiful sound, a breathtaking dynamic range, and moves to die for. I was deeply impressed.

I guess the question then is whether the Pinkies want to be that kind of choir, and it isn't clear that we do. I was watching us perform later that afternoon in St. Ann's square, in the pouring rain, and thinking, "Look at us, we're performing well, we're having such a good time, and that's what counts." And there was the meal together that evening in Villagio followed by drinks and dancing in Via Fossa that night which reminded me that we don't really need to compete with other choirs to share our special Pinkies magic.

But we can still learn, and there is always room for improvement. I know I would like us to learn our lines earlier, so we can spend the time on the repertoire as we did with the contest, polishing and buffing, and not just learning the notes. It does mean that everyone will have to up their game, certainly in terms of learning the music, fast and early in the season.

We are getting there, and I am re-energized to bring that polish to our winter concert!

Edit: Bonus! Check out Oskar's photos of us warming up and on stage. There are even more photos available - links are in the Pinkies On The Web column to the right.

Edit edit: And now I've added videos of the performance - more in the Pink Insider YouTube channel in the list of links to the right!

Christmas Comes Early

I am not a particularly religious person - I approach most belief systems from a utilitarian perspective - but I do love the Christmas season, mainly for the opportunity to stuff yourself silly with mince pies and pudding, and the chance to sing jolly Christmas carols. However, much as I enjoy this time of the year, I also think that the way an end-of-December event starts to creep into the middle of November is a worrying trend.

So it was with a little sigh that I found out we were due to sing Away In A Manger and other Christmas Carols in Victoria Station two Saturdays ago. Then again, the Pink Singers have a tradition of carolling at this time of the year (even if we've not done it so early before) and we also always perform for charity. This time it was for Marie Curie Cancer Care, so the motivation was good. Carolling in mid-November is more a reflection on how charities function in this holiday period, especially in a year when pockets are tight and charity fatigue sets in early.

A bunch of about twenty of us, accompanied by Cilla on guitar, ran through our song sheet of six carols. As last year, the music starts off in unison, and as the cycle progresses, the harmonies become more and more complex as ther various Pinkies improvise their own line. By the time we got to the end of a two hour stint we were back to singing like a regular choir again! Michael De's sleigh bells certainly helped add a touch of Christmas cheer to the proceedings.

Of course, with the Manchester competition looming it was also a chance for us to perform a few of our competition pieces to the unsuspecting public. The irony of singing Now Is The Month Of Maying on the freezing wind-swept Victoria train station concourse was not lost on the audience, and they seemed to appreciate it all the more.

Do we make a difference? I think we do: an informal chat with the collectors suggested that when we are around they tend to collect up to three times as much as if they were standing there jangling their buckets alone. If that is true, then Christmas in November is entirely justified, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Edit: Bonus! Check out Oskar's photos of us in Victoria Station!

Video Trailer For The Pinkies' Winter Concert 16 Jan 2010

Yes, the Pinkies are finally embracing the information age and we have a multimedia trailer for our concert for the first time ever! Thanks to Greg and Jules for the video and editing work, and to Ben P for pushing the idea through to fruition as well. Will this convince you to come for a great wintry evening out? I think so! Tickets are on sale now! Go to the Pink Singers website and get your advance discount.

Edit: Sorry about the video, but it appears there were a few errors. This will go up again when the corrections have been made, so stay tuned!

Edit: And it's up again! While we're pretty good musically, when it comes to other things you can tell we are an amateur group can't you? ;-)

Wear Your Best Hat!

As part of the Pink Singers' year each of the sections organize a social event for the other sections. This year it is the tenors' turn to kick off, and we are organizing a virtual horse race. not sure what this means? Me too, but details will be forthcoming. In the mean time keep the 4th of December free and take a peek at the poster for the event. The big difference this year is that we are hoping to get London's other LGBTQ choirs to come along and join in the fun!

A Proper Welcome To the Newbies!

What a wonderful time I had at the Pinkies newbies welcome party last night! We are now into week 6 of the winter season, and the new Pinkies are started to get bedded in. It is hard to socialize in rehearsal because everyone is concentrating on learning the music, and if you don't go to the pub afterwards then you don't really get much of a chance to chat. That's why the newbies' party was born: it is an opportunity for the oldies to get to know the new Pinkies better. What a friendly bunch we are! Besides, with karaoke, beer and Pink Singers, you can pretty much be guaranteed a fun evening!

And loads of the newbies picked up the courage to get on stage to perform. Kudos to Ryan, Jerome, Paul and Al for picking up the microphone and really going for it. Wonder why none of the new girls got up on stage though...

Straight To The Point

I had a rather odd evening two nights ago. After class I was invited out for drinks with some of the guys in my tutorial group. They are all straight rugby/ football player types with whom I didn't think I had any obvious affinity. The idea of spending an entire evening chatting about women and sports actually filled me with some trepidation. But social duty beckoned, and I went along with the intention of ducking out with an excuse if things became uncomfortable.

As it happens though, I had a really great time: all the blokes were fantastic, really friendly, and we had loads to chat about. The lesson I learned is that I have my own prejudices when it comes to straight people (guys especially), and for that reason I guess I tend to socialize with other gay people where I can "be myself". But these guys were also pretty open minded, and I felt no inhibitions beyond my usual straight-laced self. It was a new discovery for me.

Hate Crime - Why?

The overriding feeling of those of us at the Anti-Hate Crime Protest in Trafalgar Square last week was, "Why is this still happening?" The memorial to Ian Baynham coincided with another attack on a gay policeman called James Parkes the week before, and the bigoted hate-ridden post by Jan Moir in the Daily Mail. It all served as a chilling reminder that although we take it for granted sometimes that we have almost achieved parity in the eyes of the law, in reality certain segments of society are far from accepting.

So it was rather heart warming that so many people showed up in Trafalgar Square that cold Friday night to light a candle to remember not just Ian, but all those who have died in homophobic attacks around the country in the last decade. And while there was dismay as the names were read out, anger at those in the public eye who continue to spew hatred and frustration that we, as a community, were still standing on those steps, still having to fight for those basic human rights we all deserve, there was also a sense of pride. Pride that we could come together and pride that there continues to be something worth fighting for.

When we sang Seasons of Love, Something Inside So Strong and You'll never Walk Alone, the Pink Singers, together with LGMC, Ddiversity and voices from Brighton and Birmingham, and joined remotely by others in other cities around the country, I felt a sense of cohesion I don't often feel. This is a source of strength and something to hold on to.