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Pinkies Of The Month
Archive

June 2007

My name is Deni.

My section is 2nd Alto.

I joined the Pink Singers in Winter 2006.

I joined the Pink Singers because my life changed quite a bit and it prompted me to put into action some things I had been delaying. Primarily, doing more music! I joined initially to improve my vocal range, to improve my sight-reading and hang out with similar people – very sensible plans at the time. I even thought I might make some new gay friends male or female.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is the people and then the singing, very few things better than singing, only the very important things! I love the Pinkies, I love singing, especially when we sing certain songs like Love Song for a Vampire it makes all the hairs on your arms stand up. Sometimes I hate it when I don’t know the words, however don’t tell our lead conductor Mladen! Mladen has this gentle way of telling you off and making you feel like you are 3 years old but then gives you this cute little smile that makes you want to do so much better. When he praises you, you feel all shiny. Michael bless him, who also conducts us, does something similar.

Sorry to be obvious but the Pinkies are like a family. A real mixed bag of people, everyone is amusing in so many different ways. The altos are of course my favourite! We altos always have the most challenging pieces; I think it is punishment because we are rather cheeky. It is of course fab to be with such an attractive bunch of gals in the choir, oh and yes of course guys too. x

If you can't make it to a Sunday rehearsal you really feel like something is missing. You also sometimes might miss going to the public house nearby for a non-alcoholic drink - hmm!

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me... When I am not rehearsing, I am typically singing. I might be doing a little gig/open mic, often a little merry with friends doing a karaoke. Always sing in the shower even. Frequently you can find me dancing, you can’t beat a good boogie.

The song that I would most like us to perform is... Very difficult to choose – I have wide ranging tastes. I can, so I will, suggest a few: Love Cats by The Cure, Summer Night's City by Abba, Black Coffee the Nina Simone version, Shake That Funky Music White Boy or 1, 2, 3, Shake Your Body Down (don’t know who by). Think it would be great if we did a Doris Day, Judy Collins, or even Stevie Wonder mix. Maybe some Maroon 5 or Mika!

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Midnight's Bell or Angels should be strangled. Plus we should kill anything with too much complicated choreography, that always makes me frown, much to my Pink friends amusement!

May 2007

My name is Andrew Davies - just how many Andrews are there in the bass section?

My section is... I'm bi-choral cos I sing with the Pinkies and The London Gay Men's Chorus. With LGMC I'm a Baritone. With Pinkies I've recently become bi-sectional too - so Tenor and Bass. So in short ... all of them. Maybe I'll try out for Sopranos next year?

I joined the Pink Singers in Winter 2004.

I joined the Pink Singers because I love to sing and (don't tell anyone) I'm gay, and having moved down from Manchester I was looking for some sort of musical group - having done Gilbert And Sullivan with Manchester Uni's MUGSS and Edinburgh Uni's Savoy. I applied to join both the London Gay Men's Chorus and Pinkies - but LGMC didn't have any space for six months! Pinkies needed some extra men and so I felt only too happy to flex my oral skills as a fully fledged Pinkie!

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is being dominated to perfection by Mladens very capable hands (ahem). Oh and singing! I love the mix of challenging classical music and disco party pop hits.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me singing with the enemy (LGMC!) :) Slobbing out in front of the tv, playing computer games, reading sci-fi, cooking, watching foreign language films and eating pies. Oh and Hot Air Ballooning! I have on occasion also been known to drink vast quanties of mind numbing alcohol and dance my bits off in the Two Screwers in Claaaaaam (thats Clapham t'likes of you and me).

The song that I would most like us to perform is Sweet Transvestite from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is... Laid to rest? I love them all! Even the cringe-fest that is Robbie Williams Angels. Bring back Hand in Hand that's what I say! Whilst we're on the subject we should also bring back Big Spender, Mister Sandman, The Beach Boys Medley, ...

March 2007

My name is Liang.

My section is tenor ('tops' as we like to call ourselves).

I joined the Pink Singers in 2005.

I joined the Pink Singers because I watched them perform in January 2005 and was impressed that such a small choir could produce such a lovely sound. By May I had become a member. (Of course this has nothing to do with feeding my karaoke habit)

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is singing in a concert especially when travelling to visit another city.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me messing with my computer, in the gym, playing tennis when I can or socialising with friends.

The song that I would most like us to perform is... I know many people will cringe but I would like to do one of the big ballads by Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. Perhaps Michael can do one of his sweeping arrangements for I Will Always Love You or Hero.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Sheer Madness. It's a great medley but we have done it too many times.

December 2006

My name is Mark Winter.

My section is Bass 2.

I joined the Pink Singers in 2004.

I joined the Pink Singers because my ex-girlfriend(!) Kay persuaded me to come along to hold her hand and I liked it so much I decided to join.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is definitely the concerts and having my mum saying "that's my gay son up there!"

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me occasionally working, watching Deal Or No Deal or learning Greek.

The song that I would most like us to perform is Come What May from Moulin Rouge.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Deo Gracias (Deo Deo Deo Deo blah blah blah)

November 2006

My name is Anna.

My section is Altos.

I joined the Pink Singers in 2000.

I joined the Pink Singers because I used to hear them singing and Mladen shouting when I walked up Chenies St., which was a variable draw.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is singing.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me at work, suffering.

The song that I would most like us to perform is something by the Mamas & the Papas or Nina Simone.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Hand In Hand, the crap repetitive drone from Rent, Colours Of The Wind and the delightful I Believe I Can Fly.

October 2006

My name is Simon Wilkinson.

My section is Tenors.

I joined the Pink Singers in January 2004.

I joined the Pink Singers because I wanted to have a hobby that would involve me in the gay community and it had been over ten years since I had sung properly so I thought the choir was the perfect answer.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is being able to enjoy the choir with the love of my life. I have the choir to thank for bringing us together! Being a member of the oldest mixed gay choir in Europe is pretty cool as well.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me... When I’m not working in someone’s garden, I’m a bit of a telly addict so I can be found watching UK Gold comedy reruns and old movies.

The song that I would most like us to perform is a medley of Neil Sedaka hits, just got to persuade Andy to arrange it!

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is... Now that Tragedy has been given the boot and the Abba medley has been put to bed for a decade, I nominate Brahms Love Song Waltz No.11 Oh These Wicked Scandalmongers, I’ve never felt happy with that piece.

August 2006

My name is Jenny.

My section is Sopranos.

I joined the Pink Singers in February 1999.

I joined the Pink Singers because I went to see the Pinkies' 15th anniversary concert in December 1998 and it got me thinking that it had been 15 years since I'd last sung in a concert, aged 11 at the time! Once I'd plucked up the courage to attend my first rehearsal, I quickly realised how much I'd missed singing and being part of a choir. I've not missed a season since.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is... How could you make me choose? One of my very favourite things is simply being a Pinkie!

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me renovating my flat. No, I still haven't got round to decorating.

The song that I would most like us to perform is... I'd love us to sing some of Vaughan Williams' choral music. He wrote some beautiful pieces, many of them based on old English folk songs, of which he was an avid collector. In fact, I think Mladen may have some in store for us…

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Tragedy. It was. It is. It won't be if we lay it to rest. Tragedy is by the Bee Gees (in case you didn't know).

July 2006

My name is Adam Dawkins.

My section is Bass (second - the deeper end!).

I joined the Pink Singers in January 2000.

I joined the Pink Singers because I made a ‘new millennium’ decision to join the Pink Singers to indulge my love of singing and make new gay friends in a 'non-scene' environment. Had a brief spell in the Gay Men’s Chorus, but wanted to sing in a mixed gender choir.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is the diversity of members in the choir. Everyone is different, so we all have different outlooks, backgrounds and stories to tell. However, there is also a real sense of camaraderie in the group, and the exhilaration and adrenalin that comes with performing together is almost palpable, and the audience really feeds off this which is a pleasure to behold!

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me working hard, trying desperately (and failing) to resist the magnetic pull of BB 2006, reading, struggling with Sudoku, eating sweets, drinking wine and last but not least, spending time with my boyfriend!

The song that I would most like us to perform is Le Cantique du Jean Racine (Fauré), or Carly Simon's Let The River Run.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Hand in Hand.

June 2006

My name is Susannah Colgate.

My section is Altos.

I joined the Pink Singers in September 2000.

I joined the Pink Singers because I love singing and I was single and thought it would be a good way to meet a new partner. I haven't met the love of my life through the choir (yet!) but I've had a fantastic time and made some great friends.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is singing such a variety of pieces and the socialiasing - I've had far too many Monday morning hangovers from going to the pub after rehersals. I have also really enjoyed the trips - especially Paris 2005.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me working as a a Housing officer dealing with such lovely things as anti-social behaviour cases, socialising with friends and doing voluntary work with "The Life Training Programme" - they do fantastic personal development courses which I see make a massive difference to people's lives.

The song that I would most like us to perform is Carmina Burana.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is When You Tell Me That You Love Me - only because we've sung it so many times!

May 2006

My name is Susan.

My section is Tenor.

I joined the Pink Singers in 2001.

I joined the Pink Singers because I wanted to do something other than soothe my Sunday hangover.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is seeing how excited and how much fun we all have when we sing together - cheesy I know!.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me working too much but I'm getting therapy for that!

The song that I would most like us to perform is Boogie Woogie Boy by the Andrews Sisters.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Seasons of Love- sorry to those who like it!

April 2006

My name is Fran.

My section is Soprano.

I joined the Pink Singers in 1995.

I joined the Pink Singers because it sounded like fun and I love music.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is relaxing with friends after rehearsal, and seeing people enjoy themselves at our concerts.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me in the garden, with a glass of red wine, watching the world go by.

The song that I would most like us to perform is I've Lost That Loving Feeling.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Seasons of Love... too repetitive... sounds like a cuckoo clock set to music.

March 2006

My name is Ritchie Parrott.

My section is bass/middle - I'm bi-sectional don't you know!.

I joined the Pink Singers in September 1995 and have never looked back.

I joined the Pink Singers because I wanted to meet other gay men in a less sexual environment than a bar or nightclub. Since joining I've met some wonderful men and women, not just in the Pinkies but in many choirs from around the world. Still, I think our choir has some of the funniest and loveliest lezzers you're likely to meet!

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is being able to sing my little heart out without someone telling me to be quiet.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me hanging around Soho. Not just for the obvious boozy attractions but also because I'm lucky enough to attend film preview screenings as part of my job and they're mostly there.

The song that I would most like us to perform is Edelweiss. We've sung it before and I love it. Schmaltzy, with over-the-top soaring harmonies and the audience always recognise it fondly and take it to their hearts.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Satin Doll a.k.a. Satan's Doll. I'd hoped this song had died a long time ago but somehow it's come back to haunt me.

February 2006

My name is Miranda.

My section is alto.

I joined the Pink Singers in 2005.

I joined the Pink Singers because the concert outfit is all black (well, apart from the pink thing, but I’ve got that covered…)

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is I’ve got something to sing cycling round London, although panting through When You Tell Me That You Love Me can draw some funny glances.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me Life is a rehearsal (see above).

The song that I would most like us to perform is She’s My Girl by Tom Lehrer.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is Dirait-on and on and on and on and on and on… I used to love it, now it just reminds me of washing machine adverts.

January 2006

My name is Johnathon Finlay.

My section is tenor.

I joined the Pink Singers in October 2003.

I joined the Pink Singers because I had a hangover, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.

My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is I get to sing Madonna, Abba and Verdi in the same concert. And I get to rehearse in the same building as H from Steps.

When I'm not rehearsing you can find me with my nose in the Colloquial Swedish coursebook down the Retro bar.

The song that I would most like us to perform is I'd Rather Jack by the Reynolds Girls.

The song in our repertoire which should be laid to rest is When You Tell Me That You Love Me (sorry Michael). It is a great arrangement, I think I've just sung it too much!