Pete's First Visit - Good Job Guys!

Today was the first chance for Groups A and B to meet Pete Churchill. We had 2 excellent workshops at Stanford and St Teresa's, rehearsing On and On, Where To Now and Ride The Wind. At St Teresa's we looked at the things each class had brought, to take with them on their journey - it was clear that you had discussed your options carefully and made choices which meant a lot to you all.

Remember what Pete said about 'tasting' the words and really using your mouth, so the words become lodged in your 'muscle memory'. Also to add the L / R movements as you learn the song, not afterwards, so the movement becomes part of the song.

We've lots still to learn and we'll need all those fabulous words and phrases of encouragment if we are to achieve our QUEST - to become the best Merton choir EVER to perform at the Royal Albert Hall!

The Road Is Definitely My Destiny!

Despite the awful weather, I've continued my epic journey around Merton, with visits to groups at host schools Garfield, Singlegate, Malmesbury, Bond, Stanford, Joseph Hood, Beecholme and Poplar. Some of you now know '8,4,2,1', a great exercise to help keep the pulse steady throughout a performance, especially when the dynamic is loud. Once you get really good at holding the pulse, try it in canon, 8,4 and 2 beats apart. Below Singlegate, Merton Abbey and Dundonald 'hold it for the camera'!

Pupils who came to Garfield and Malmesbury made fascinating wallpaper 'roads' using cutout footprints which suggested how our travellers may have begun their journeys. They also added lots of helpful words and phrases of encouragement for me to take with me in my backpack.

Here are my special objects, the ones I grabbed quickly, as I tried to imagine how dreadful it must be to have to leave home and loved ones with only moments to spare. What would you take? Which object will your class vote to bring to next week's workshop? Adam and Phil really enjoyed their sessions with you - you'll see and hear them as they will perform with us at the RAH in April...I can't wait to get there!!!!

The Journey Continues...

This morning I began the next round of Journey workshops, with pupils from Garfield, The Priory and Holy Trinity. We added a lower harmony to 'Turn Me Around', revised 'On and On' and began 'Where To Now'. We also worked on the pulse exercise '8,4,2,1' to help keep the tempo steady. The children came up with many supportive words to help me on my journey including courage, strength and determination and we laid out our path of footprints, to guide us on our way.I chose some very special things to take on my journey - what might you choose, if you only had a few minutes to think and pack? For our performance, a wonderful musician, Guillermo Rozenthuler, will play the role of 'The Traveller'. Guillermo was born in Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina, and moved to London in 2000. He is passionate about music and puts his heart and soul into everything he does.

Guillermo travels all over the country and round the world - he is a famous expert in singing tango music! What can you find out about Tango, or Buenos Aires?

Here is Guillermo singing in the first ever performance of The Journey at the RAH in 2009. I know he is looking forward to meeting you all in April.

On and on we go ......

Take a look at this

The journey from Jackie Schneider

It makes you think doesn't it? Looks like many of the people in the slides were on a very long journey. I have a favour to ask you. I would like you to draw around your foot and cut out your footprint to bring along to our next rehearsal. .

Looking forward to seeing you soon! You can have a look at all the resources for our project by clicking on the link below Merton Music Foundation