Page 37 - Phonebox Magazine August 2011

Future concerts
Big Olney Food Festival 17 September Olney Market Square at 12.30
Voices for Hospices, 8 October, Newport Pagnell Parish Church
Concert in aid of the British Legion, 27 November, United Reform Church
never ending!
After the event, the Milton Keynes Mayor e- mailed me with his thanks; ’Dear Gillian, the evening – it really was something special. The Olney Community Choir did themselves proud in enthusiasm, delivery, style and content. It was a privilege to hear you sing, I believe everyone was like me, quite thrilled with your performance’.
I also had an e-mail from Assistant Head teacher at a school in Leighton Buzzard; ’Firstly,
may I say what a fabulous thing you achieved last night. You must be very proud. The concert was quite simply superb. To have assembled such diverse talent in such a short space of time is a remarkable achievement. It is even better when you consider how much you have raised for Willen Hospice.’ (Total from the concert and the Ravenstone afternoon will be in next month’s magazine).’There were so many things I liked about the concert. Your singing was, for me, one of the highlights. I really enjoyed both the emotion in your voice as well as the fact that, even to my untrained ear, it was technically very accomplished’. (I didn’t pay him to say that – honest!) I felt really honoured to attend, and perhaps next time I will get to meet you’.
Thanks also to local business who have given support for the Willen Hospice concert through advertising in our souvenir programme, which
was beautifully printed by Orchard Press, and displaying posters in our town. Also, Brock’s and Wilson’s for selling tickets.
Unfortunately, some multi-nationals in the town, even a charity shop, would not put up the Willen Hospice concert poster in their window, much to my disgust! I know two places where I will not be shopping in Olney!
Ron and Debbie, Graham, Mark and Yvonne at ‘Phonebox’ have been wonderful in supporting the choir right from the very start, printing my first article in January, printing the programme, publicity posters, tickets, and offering me personal support too. It’s great to have such a first-class magazine for our community. We should never take them for granted, and I am
really indebted to them for everything they have done for the choir and for Willen Hospice.
All I can say is, the concert exceeded all my expectations, and all who attended were so lovely. I don’t think I have seen a better audience! They were so appreciative and even stood up at the end when we finished ‘Rhythm of Life’. (You have no idea how hard that was to teach the choir to sing in 7 parts at the same time)! I felt like Del boy and Rodney when they were in their yellow van after leaving Sotheby’s and became millionaires, except I had no yellow van to scream in! I was
so happy at the end of that song. Thank you to everyone who appreciated our performance.
Terry played along on his clarinet in our final item and the church was buzzing. Rev Newton would have been truly ‘amazed’ I am sure. We finished with an encore of ‘What a Wonderful World’ and the audience sang along too.
Let’s make this an annual event for Willen Hospice, and next time, we’ll have portaloos!
I’ll have to ask Rev Claire first of course!
Gill, Musical Director, Olney Community Choir
Olney Community Choir - Auditions for new term
If you are interested in singing with Olney Community Choir in September, please telephone Gillian Toosey 01908 551950 between 15 - 20 August to arrange an audition time.
Auditions will be from week commencing August 22. Singers are required to prepare a song of their choice (to show voice to best advantage) with or without accompaniment (either backing track or piano accompaniment - please provide music). Singers will be expected to sing a few scales to test vocal range, a simple sight-reading test, and a short improvisation exercise. Auditions will last no longer than 10/15 minutes. Above all, a love of singing and a reasonable voice is paramount. Note- reading is not essential. Passion for singing and good intonation is a number one priority. I look forward to hearing you!
Thanks to everyone who advertised in the programme. Please do remember them when you are doing your shopping!
The Courtyard Brasserie - Girls & Pearls - Hobgoblin - Reeves - Marcus Jordan -Stephen Oakley & Co - Captain Carpet - Nic Opoka - Dusk till Dawn - The Bull - Wardrobe - Home Instead - Hilary Brock - Carlton House Club - Footwell Podiatry - Bex - Five Element - Domesticats - Tapas I Pintxos - The Swan - Two Brewers - Factory Shoe Shop - Ink & Toner Shop - Natural Nails - Alban Hill - Drury Travel - Nordic Walking - Three Shires Glazing - Kevin Viney
Phonebox Magazine 37