In this week's Bulletin you can read about:
Rehearsal news
28 Nov and 20 Dec: Christmas performance updates
'Getting to know you - COTH Member profile' - get to know your fellow COTH members with this fun Q&A. This week, it's about the amazing Lesha!
Week 9
It was our first week back after the half term break and we had a great night - firstly during rehearsal kicking off our Christmas repertoire and, after that, for a lovely social gathering.
Thanks for all the feedback and ideas posted on the flipchart papers. We'll share some of that with you in the coming weeks.
THE SONGS
This week we looked at The Power of Love (Gabrielle Alpin version), Cosy Little Christmas by Katy Perry and Silent Night (with an added Italian verse). All of these songs are available in the Christmas Lyric and Audio Library. As we have limited time leading up to our Christmas performances, we recommend you use this resource to practice as much as you can before the next rehearsal.
CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES
We have two Xmas performance opportunities this year- the Crystal Palace Christmas Light Switch-on and Stanley Arts Christmas Concert. Registration forms for these events are now live: You can click here to register.
THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER Christmas Light Switch-on
We will be singing as part of the Christmas street light switch-on ceremony for Crystal Palace.
LOCATION
Westow House, 79 Westow Hill, Crystal Palace, SE19 1TX
TIMING (PM)
7.00 - 7.30-7.45 - There will be a brass band playing outside the Westow (estimated time they'll finish is between 7.30 and 7.45)
7.30/7.45 - Light swich-on ceremony
7.45 - 8.15 - COTH performance inside the pub (c30 mins of Christmas set-list). We'll start when the brass band/switch-on is done so at either 7.30 or 7.45.
8.15 - drinks in the Westow for anyone who wants to stay.
For anyone who has paid by subscription we will be offering you a refund - please get in touch if you would like to receive this. Similarly, for PAYG members, it will not be obligatory to pay. However, we still need to cover hall hire, as this is paid in advance, as well as Elena’s time and other running costs, so if you are happy to contribute your usual fee towards this it would be very much appreciated.
FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER Stanley Arts Christmas Concert
Last year we had a great time singing as part of the Stanley Arts Christmas Concert. We've been invited back again this year!
LOCATION
Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, SE25 6AB
TIMING (PM)
TBC - There will be a sound check in the afternoon/evening for anyone who can make it.
7.30 - Concert starts
8.20-8.45 - We will be singing in the final act of the first half
10.15 - Concert ends
We are invited to watch the rest of the concert from the balcony as we did last year and then join in on stage for the final group finale of 'All I Want for Christmas is You'.
Friends and family can purchase tickets from Stanley Arts:
GETTING TO KNOW YOU - COTH Member Profile
Each week we'll be speaking to different members of the choir so you can get to know them a little better. Please speak to Vicky if you'd like to be featured.
Lesha Skrzypczyk, COTH Member
Tell us a little bit about yourself - where you're from/where you live now etc.
I'm a South Londoner, born & bred, living mostly within sight of the Crystal Palace Tower. I met Mark when we started college at 16 and haven't been able to get rid of him! We have 8 beautiful children who fill my life with immense joy, and I'm utterly proud of them.
When I hit 40 two years ago, I made a "50 by 50" bucket list. Singing on stage solo is something I've managed to tick off this year
What are your favourite songs:
My musical taste is eclectic, to say the least! If you want to play music, I'm happy to listen. From classical & baroque, acapella & acoustic, country & folk, pop & indie, metal & trance. My playlists have a little bit of everything.
I'm very mood based in my listening pleasure and often play music specifically to match my inner turmoil so I can release the built-up energy. My children can tell my mood easily depending on what I'm blasting
My top 10 in no particular order are Madonna, Ed Sheeran, Beethoven, Coldplay, Oasis, Eminem, Pentatonix, ABBA, Black Sabbeth, Bon Jovi
To belt out at the karaoke
I adore Karaoke. I Will Survive is obviously a must, Don't Wanna Miss A Thing for a good belter, and Lulu's Shout to really get the blood going.
Are there any types of music you're not keen on and why?
There's really no music I dislike, although there are lyrics that are not to my taste, which means a lot of rap gets skipped.
What brought you to Choir on the Hill and how long have you been singing with us?
My family is deeply entrenched at Stanley Arts. I must have watched one of the very first COTH performances, and I fell in love. My health wasn't great at the time, and before I knew it, Covid got in the way, too.
When I finally got myself together, I had a "what's the worst that can happen?" moment and made the decision to push myself past my comfort zone. That was October 2022. I had a bit of a break because of a housefire, but as soon as I could, I returned
Which female musical artists do you admire and why?
I admire every woman who has managed to get their voice heard. It is still an industry that has a very specific idea of what a "good" female artist should look like, sound like, and behave. Watching modern vocalists like Pink and Lady Gaga push the envelope and change the narrative is awesome.
Who are your female role models?
There have been many historical figures that have helped to show me that being a valuable member of society as a woman means being more than just sugar & spice, and all things nice, but the females that most inspire me are the generation coming through now. Greta Thunberg inspired my daughters at a time when all young people felt like change wasn't happening fast enough or in the best interests of their futures. Watching my own daughters push themselves, serve their communities, and give back as much as they can gives me hope that my future grandchildren will live in a world that will unite and better support the masses.
Tell us a surprising or little known fact about yourself.
I'm fairly musical. Singing has always been my first love, but I've also had lessons on the recorder, piano, clarinet, & saxophone. Unfortunately, my health prevents me from playing these days.
What is your favourite thing about being part of Choir on the Hill?
Missing a Thursday makes me miserable not just because singing fills my soul but because having friends like the COTH ladies brings a sense of peace and great joy. This is the first thing I've truly done just for myself in my adult life. We all encourage & celebrate each other in such a beautiful way. I'm so proud to be part of such a supportive ensemble.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
The information below will be added to our Calendar and details will be shared on our Performing pages as and when we know more.
Click on the arrows to expand for more information
Thursday 28 November - Christmas Light Switch-on (outside Westow House pub, Crystal Palace)
We will be singing as part of the Xmas light switch-on ceremony for Crystal Palace. There will be a brass band playing outside The Westow from 7pm to around 7.30/7.45.
The lights will be switched on and then we'll then be singing inside from 7.30/7.45 - 8/8.15pm (about 30 mins of Christmas set-list). We can stay at the Westow for drinks for anyone who wants to.
14 December COTH Christmas Party at Mozart's, Penge
18 November - Free workshop / 30 November Cabaret for Cancer Care Map UK
Friday 20 December - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert