By Becca
It’s that time again – the most wonderful time of the year, the Sing! Community Choir weekend away! So wonderful, in fact, that even though I left the choir and moved away from Cambridge 7 months ago, I travelled back across the country to spend quality time with these wonderful people again. Such is the power of the community and joy that I think Sing! gives us all.
Friday night began, as always, with a steady stream of arrivals eating, drinking, playing games and exploring our home for the weekend – the always wonderful and slightly labyrinthine Letton Hall. To welcome us, Marjolein and Lydia had organised a scavenger hunt, answering trivia questions to clues hidden around the building. This caused much excitement (lots of forming of alliances and speedy climbing of stairs) and confusion (newly arriving choir members were seized and interrogated about an ingredient often found in Christmas recipes).
A thrilling introduction to the weekend!
Later on in the evening, a library disco was organised to celebrate the beginning of the weekend, complete with glowsticks and flashing lights and plenty of dancing. Here I must admit that I could not be tempted out of my comfy armchair to join, but in the name of journalistic integrity I gathered some quotes from the enthusiastic attendees. Vicky said, “It was fab to be dancing with all of the other Sing!ers and letting our hair down at the end of a busy week.” Jonathon simply commented, “Good vibes,” with a snazzy dance move, while Lindsay remarked, “Bloody brilliant, but I lost my socks.” One might say they were blown off.
On Saturday, we began with an ice breaker from Andy to help remind everyone of each other’s names and get to know each other a little better, which involved getting into small groups and trying to find something we all have in common – surprisingly difficult, and often requires people to get pretty specific, which is how we ended up with examples such as “science and cycling enthusiasts who have been in France” and “people wearing one item of blue clothing”.
After that began the activities! There was a huge range of workshops run by our multi talented choir members this year, ranging from boxercise to ukulele for beginners to a whole host of crafting activities, including embroidery, hama beads, reverse appliqué and lino printing.
There was also a live action role play group, who role played a dysfunctional amateur dramatics group putting on a performance of Les Misérables, (much shouting and aggressive singing overheard from the library), and a highly spirited game of capture the flag took place in the garden. Marie was reported to have frequently broken the sound barrier in her bids for the flag and Michael was witnessed doing a dramatic barrel roll in order to secure a victory for his team. One thing you can say for the members of our choir – we are certainly not lacking in passion!
There were even a couple of workshops the whole choir benefitted from, namely afternoon tea creations and cocktail/mocktail making. After the workshops were over, the rest of us (as the supportive community that we are) nobly came to sample the goods – scones with jam (homemade by Naomi’s husband) and a whole range of fabulous drinks.
Later on, as is Sing! Weekend Away tradition, we all gathered round the campfire and sang together. The atmosphere is always magical and occasionally a little surreal – Jonathan led us in a farmyard cover of Good King Wenceslas, and later on, Freya taught us some Canadian campfire call and response songs. There were even marshmallows to roast, provided by the beauty order and delight team, if you were willing to brave the smoke and flying embers long enough – Diana was witnessed sheltering under a coat and yelling, “MELT, YOU BASTARDS.”
As always, a beautiful, funny and joyous evening was had by all.
On Sunday, we were happily reunited with even more Sing! Members, who joined us for the day for a singing workshop run by the lovely Ben See.
Ben led us in a few short warm up songs, including ‘Murmurations’ and ‘Hold On’, as well as helping us with the rehearsals of some of our songs for the upcoming concert. We experimented with singing whilst walking around outside, listening to the overlapping harmonies or going further afield – I know several people wandered over to the edge of the garden to serenade the cows (which they’ve actually been scientifically proven to enjoy! I can provide sources!!). We also began learning a new song for the summer concert – a gorgeous song named ‘The Call’ by Regina Spektor.
Several times during the day we were encouraged to stand in a space in the middle of the choir and simply listen, allowing our sound to wash over us. It was truly moving – a few of those who tried it (myself included!) were moved to tears. A wonderful opportunity to see up close the power of music and community singing.
And just like that, with the end of the workshop came the end of the weekend! We took our traditional group photograph, during which Shona attempted a death defying sprint down a very steep flight of stairs during the ten second camera timer, and then there was the usual flurry of cleaning (coordinated with military like precision), last minute lost property searches and goodbyes before Letton Hall was disappearing into our collective rearview for another year.
Special thanks to all the Chiefs specialities, and all the people who did a million little background things to help the weekend run smoothly. You all knocked it out of the park (as you always do!!), and I for one can’t wait to come back next year.
See you all soon!