New Pinkies' Views

Summer 2007

by Andrew F
Bass
July 2007

Jukebox Saturday NIGHHHHT! Sorry, I can't stop myself from singing the Pinkies songs! Actually, I cant stop singing in anyway... In fact, you can find me singing everywhere, from the stereotypical singing sessions in the shower - though I try to avoid it during the early hours as I don't think my housemates would appreciate it! - to even singing while walking in the street. Yeah, if you see a handsome Mediterranean bloke singing, its me!

Back home I used to sing in all sorts of stuff, from fundraising choirs, to musicals, to bands, to weddings and even as a soloist. Hence I couldn't imagine myself moving to London and not sing at all. I tried different activities including a local musical group and a church choir, but they were too boring for my liking. Until one day, in the very beginning of January '07, I received an email from the Pink Singers asking me if I want to join in for rehearsals.

Only the thought of it sounded fun. A gay choir! We don't even think of something like that in Malta! And there I was, on a Sunday afternoon walking towards the Royal Academy of Music. How cool is that!

I was supposed to meet Lynne, the chair, for a warm welcome, however I was late as always! Entering the rehearsal room was a bit intimidating as I didn't know anyone, however I sat next to two new members by coincidence, with made it easier. It didn't take long for the Pinkies to break the ice as I was welcomed immediately.

I couldn't believe it - a whole room filled with gay singing angels! It seemed unreal at first. I was ecstatic after the first rehearsal, such a blast! And to top it all, I was dragged to a local pub after rehearsals and ended getting home half drunk but with a big smile on my face! I knew this was the choir for me!

Following my second rehearsal, I had my voice check. I was so confident that I can make it that I was first next to the piano in front of Mladen and Michael. All my confidence went a bit down the drain as soon as I heard the first scale notes, however a bit of excitement doesn't harm anyone.

The following Thursday, while on my way home (following a gruelling house hunting session) I received a phone call from Lynne. Much to my dismay, I couldn't hear her properly as I was on the underground, hence I wasn't sure if she was inviting me to join the Pinkies or telling me not to. But in fact she was. I couldn't believe it; I was going to join the Pinkies!

Much to my horror, I've spent the following three weeks locked up at home due to a severe chest infection. I couldn't even speak. And there I was, panicking about the thought that I was just accepted to join a choir and I've missed three rehearsals in a row! Call it commitment! However I will never forget the day when I went back to rehearsals and was given a warm welcome back by all the Pinkies. Some of them even knew my name already, much to my surprise!

Loads of rehearsals later and there I was, oozing confidence, guessing people's names - it aint easy learning sixty names at one go! - making new friends, knowing most of the songs, learning lyrics in all odd places (on the underground, in the park, at Soho Square...)

Until the big day came, our Summer Concert. It was a magical experience; we really did work hard for it. I wasn't that excited to be honest, I was more hyperactive and I guess I drove everyone crazy. I was so longing to be on stage again. And finally there I was, wearing my uniform with joy and pride (including the pink bit which I hated until the day of the concert) and singing my heart out. I've officially lost my "Pinkie virgin" status in front of everyone, and it was simply divine!

However, the Pinkies are not just about the season's concert. Few weeks later we were singing at the London Pride in front of a jam packed Trafalgar Square even though it was raining cats and dogs. We also had various gigs as well, and we will be singing abroad with other foreign choirs, both in Helsinki and in Paris later on this year.

Singing is my life, and I can never thank the Pink Singers for the great opportunity. Being a Pinkie is hard work, it is a commitment, but it's so worth all the effort.

Winter 2006

by Naomi
Alto
January 2007

From an early age I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. A Pinkie. For other girls their dream was to be Madonna or Kylie, but for me nothing less than singing with the Pink Singers would do.

I bided my time, dallying with other, lesser groups which provided some small distraction but was never fully satisfying. And then one day the call came and I was invited to join a rehearsal and do a voice test. In preparation I immediately embarked on a week long training regime which consisted of singing along to every song on my ipod, irrespective of whether or not it was in my key, and actually giving up the booze the night before. Finally the big day came and I walked into the rehearsal room at RAM. It was magical; all the pinkies lined up with their smiling faces and angelic voices. And when at one point we all hit the right note at the right time the hairs on my neck stood up and I realised this was where I belonged.

After rehearsal I was asked to do the dreaded voice test. Knowing that the Alto section was oversubscribed for this season I decided to be clever and tried out for the tenor section but I could not go that low! Not fazed I thought I would take a shot at the soprano section. I stood on my tiptoes clenched my buttocks and emitted a high pitched shrill. Mladen our long suffering fabulous musical director shook his head with a look of `oh my god what is this?' in his eyes and said in his imitable way - "yes you can sing but you are an alto, not tenor or soprano and I am afraid the alto section is full this season". Resigned to the rejection of it all I left my details with Lynne, said goodbye to my new found friends, and headed back to obscurity.

And then a few days later a miracle - Lynne called - a couple of people had dropped out of the alto section and would I like to sing with the choir this season (is the Pope catholic?). The next Sunday I rocked up to rehearsal all cocky and confident now that I was 'in'!

The rehearsals soon brought me down to earth. The repertoire of songs for the season were, to say the least, very challenging, especially the folk songs which were a total departure for someone who to date had never sung anything older than a Beatles tune. And then I did my sums - just over two months till the concert and all these songs to learn by heart ...help! It was a daunting prospect but my fellow pinkies were so supportive of us newcomers that I wanted to make sure that I did not let anyone down and spent many many hours practising the songs to get note and word perfect.

As I became more confident and got to know my fellow Pinkies better rehearsals became the highlight of my week. Drinks and impromptu sing-alongs in the pub after rehearsal also helped seal some very special friendships. Leading up to the concert there was a flurry of activity with small group events and sectional socials. At all times I was treated as a valued part of the group, never made to feel like a newcomer and I came to realise what a true family the Pink Singers are.

A few weeks before the concert I came down with a bad cold as did many of the others but we all soldiered on dosed up on neurofen, soothers and brandy. Whatever happened the show must go on. The night of the concert was fantastic. Its all a bit of a blur (down to the cold medication) but everyone was so great helping out with costumes, make up, water, and shouting good luck to each other. And then we were up there on stage, finally my ambition achieved. I don't know how we sounded but when we received the rapturous applause it was better than... well better than a bar of Green and Blacks dark chocolate. I have missed the Pinkies over the winter break and can't wait for the new season to start and go through the whole thing again. Only difference is that this time I will be the one welcoming the newcomers.

Summer 2006

by Tim Robinson
Tenor
July 2006

I've just finished my first season with the Pink Singers and wow what an action packed and fun season it was.

Joining a choir was something that I had been thinking about doing for a long time but had never actually done anything about. I'd been a bit musical in my youth - playing in a brass band, singing in a choir and camping in up in the school musical! So on one of those quiet 'surfing' days (you know the ones!) I came across the Pink Singers website and thought why not? I dropped them a line and waited to see what would happen.

The new members' contact soon got back to me and I found myself nervously going along to a rehearsal on a Sunday afternoon in Baker Street. I say nervously but in reality I had nothing to be nervous about. You don't have to audition to become a member - just a quick voice check to make sure you're singing in the right section for your voice. On my first rehearsal I joined the basses and was warmly welcomed by them all. After the rehearsal I had a quick voice check with Michael - again absolutely nothing to worry about- and I was soon no longer a bass but a tenor!

I soon learnt that the Pink Singers were a sociable bunch as after the rehearsal they quickly adjourned to the nearest bar and after three odd hours of singing I certainly needed a pint! Four or five pints later I swayed home knowing I'd joined the right choir!

It's now the end of July and it seems amazing how much I have done with the Pink Singers - they've certainly got me out of the flat - and how memorable the trips and the concerts have been. Although the rehearsals are hard work it all seems worth it to hear the sound that the choir makes on the stage and to hear the audience's reaction to our numbers.

I don't have long enough to go into detail about all the trips, concerts and gigs we've done this season but they have included a weekend away singing and merrymaking in Copenhagen, singing with other gay choirs at Europride sings, singing at the launch of 'Pink News' at the Law Society and getting gently sozzled on mini bottles of champagne afterwards! Other highlights were getting bronzed on one of the hottest days of the year marching at Europride, another weekend away in Leeds singing with Gay Abandon where I met a star of one of my favourite soaps (Mathew Bose a.k.a. Paul Lambert in Emmerdale) and of course our summer concert at the Duke's Hall at the Royal Academy of Music.

I can safely say that I've thoroughly enjoyed my first season with the Pink singers and am looking forward to the winter season and all that that may bring.

Winter 2005

by Judy Barnett
Soprano
January 2006

Well, what can I say? What a great way to start the year! This was my first concert with the choir so it was a really big deal to me, and I'm pleased to say it was a fabulous experience.

Everyone's hard work really paid off. We'd had enough rehearsals to make sure everything was down to a fine art, but not too many to make it all seem over-rehearsed.

The repertoire was fab. I heard so many 'wows' from the audience afterwards, and the biggest critics of all (my parents) absolutely loved it! I think they've 'outed' me to all my relatives by going on about it to them!

Seems like the audience want to see Tragedy as an encore next time - I guess all the torturous hours of movement rehearsals (only joking, Debbie) were worth it. It was also great to share the concert with the Rainbow Singers and the LGMC, both of which were brilliant.

The brunch was a lovely way to end the weekend. I had a great time (granted I couldn't stay too long) and I got the chance to learn a few names I hadn't known! (Oh yeah, and the food was yummy too!). Everything had been so well organised, so a big thank you to Lynne, Mladen, Michael… in fact, to everyone involved in making this such a fantastic weekend.

Please Choose a Season

Winter 2005: Judy
Summer 2006: Tim
Winter 2006: Naomi
Summer 2007: Andrew

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