Who we are:

We are a sociable and enthusiastic group who enjoy singing together. Our Choir welcomes men and women across a wide vocal range. Our repertoire is a mix of songs performed in unison and those sung in harmony between 4 sections: soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

It is not a requirement for Choir members to read music (but it’s always surprising how much more familiar music scores can become when rehearsing!). Music scores are provided from the Choir’s comprehensive library.

Where we meet and when:

The Choir meets for rehearsals at the Liss Infants School Hall (Hill Brow Road, Liss) at 7:30 pm on Wednesdays, during term time. 

Due to Covid restrictions, Hall rehearsals were suspended between March 2020 and September 2021. However, singing continued online via Zoom for most of this time, helping greatly to keep the Choir together. Having returned to the Hall, we have been careful to keep to the spirit of the Covid guidelines; chairs are spaced at 1 metre intervals and mask wearing is encouraged when arriving and departing (but not when singing!).

Rehearsal dates for the 2022 season are shown on the Dates tab.

What we sing:

There are lots of songs that we sing just for fun. When a concert invitation arrives, we start to focus on the chosen song set so as to be ready for the occasion. At the Jubilee Celebration Concerts, for example, we did songs from the 1940s and 1950s, such as “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”, “In the Mood” and “Sentimental Journey”.

To give you an idea of a typical rehearsal, the song list might include:

• “The Music of the Night”(show stoppers from “The Phantom of the Opera”)
• “Annie’s Song” (John Denver ballad)
• Songs from “Mamma Mia” (ABBA’s close harmonies)
• “Hallelujah” (Haunting hymn from Leonard Cohen)
• “Va Pensiero” (The slave’s chorus from Verdi’s opera Nabucco)
• “You raise me up” (Westlife’s feel-good anthem)

Music scores can be provided from the Choir’s library. Songs from the shows come in booklet form, with singers given the choice of either purchase or borrowing on long-term loan. Distribution of single song sheets is for each singer to keep.

 

Movers and shakers:

Music Director Erica Kollek (shown at the piano) has guided the Choir since 2017, introducing us to many varied types of music: songs from the shows, ballads, traditional airs, popular numbers from big-name artists; there is even a song in Spanish! Erica is a vibrant and enthusiastic conductor, loves what she does and is a great coach for any section faced with an awkward music arrangement.

 

As Musical Accompanist, we are lucky to have Lucy Flint, a versatile musician and composer. Lucy is an excellent violinist and keyboard player. She accompanies the Choir from the school’s grand piano, and arranges pieces from the repertoire in a form suitable for part-singing. 

Members of the LCC Committee:

Chairman: Andy Tapper

Secretary: Lorraine Bird

Social Secretary: Cate Munro-Clark

Treasurer: Michael Oakley

PR / Website Manager: David Bradbury

Judy Hayward

Eileen Adams

Jenny Hogg

 

Socials:

The June 2022 Choir Summer Party was a wonderful return to normality, after all the Covid-related interruptions. Choir members and their spouses / partners put on a bring-and-share meal at Greatham Village Hall, rounded off with favourite songs from the repertoire, sung in the Hall’s garden. Perfick!

Give us a try?

We will be holding a big welcome for new members on Wednesday 21st September 2022. This is a chance for you to get to know a few fellow singers and join in with 3 or 4 songs from the repertoire. Erica (the Music Director) will ensure that you are matched to the voice section that you are best suited to.

To cover the Choir’s outgoings, the contribution per term is £25 (or £2.50 per session for a 10-week term).

To register your interest, please contact either:

• Andy on melandy.tapper@btinternet.com or
• Lorraine on Lorraine.bird@icloud.com

Can’t wait till September? Send an email anyway to Andy or Lorraine, and we’ll arrange for you to come along to one of our Wednesday rehearsals. One of the singers will be your buddy for the evening, and (hopefully) answer all your questions. We look forward to seeing you sometime!