Pinkie spotlight – Lynne

 

Lynne

My name is Lynne.
My section is 1st soprano.
I joined the Pink Singers in 1999, 2000.
I joined the Pink Singers because my friend Caron at University wanted to join and I came along for moral support. In those days we rehearsed at the Drill hall. My most vivid memory of that rehearsal was of Al sticking a piece of apple in her nose and feeling really out of my depth, although I was only just coming out at the time. My friend joined the choir I decided not to, however I became an avid supporter. After deciding I could sing and I really wanted to join but was scared, I joined the choir in the summer of Gala and helped on the Pride parade, by jumping on and off the bus handing out flyer’s. Meeting my wife Annie in the choir was an unexpected and wonderful bonus.
My favourite thing about being a Pinkie is the people, the performing, the places I have sung in, the challenge, the fun, the friendships and not forgetting the frolics (swimming in Frieburg & sauna in Helsinki being a highlight).
When I am not rehearsing you can find me working hard on the choir organisation and until recently being a Brown Owl and Guider.
When I get the time I love partying, kayaking, canoeing, walking, climbing, swimming, dancing, good food, spending time with my friends, reading, going to the theatre, concerts, sci fi, board games and cards. I am working on adding relaxing into the mix.
The song that I would most like us to perform is the Bond medley for the moves, Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves for its power, Mr Sandman with snare drum & Fields of Gold as it is special to me and Annie.
The song in our repertoire that should be laid to rest is anything in French apart from Diraton, I really really try to get to grips with the language but its always a struggle.
Pieces never to resurface Ala Bamba & Up Town Girl.

Various Voices update – January 2008

As many of you will know, I am our choir’s elected member on the Various Voices 2009 Planning Group. To clarify, the responsibilities of Planning Group members are as follows:
– to represent the interests of the stakeholder choir to which they belong (whether this is the Pink Singers, LGMC or Diversity)
– to act as a conduit for communicating information between their choir and the Planning Group and vice-versa and
– to work collectively as a Group to ensure the successful planning and delivery of VV09.
Continue reading “Various Voices update – January 2008”

Tales of the Pinkie – Andy Quan

Andy
Andy

“I had tried out another choir. Their rehearsal space was in a basement, the tea break chaotic, and we were required to stand for the entire practice. When I wandered into the Pink Singers, into a room with light streaming through the windows, there were chairs to sit down, and we had our break in the Drill Hall cafeteria with tasty snacks!
But of course, those were minor pleasures. The greater ones were found in the people there who welcomed me warmly, the songs we sang (if I remember correctly, we sang No One Is Alone and Big Spender on my first day), and who was this east European fellow at the front of the room directing with such humour and skill? I joined the Pink Sisters and sang with them for over a year, from 1998 to 1999. It was not a large group of people and I liked it that way. With only a few tenors, it was important for me to be there for rehearsals and performances and I felt needed! I loved the mix of people, women and men, from many countries. Most important was that London was the largest city I’d ever lived in, and I’d found it tough to make friends, and if succeeding in that, arranging to match up our busy schedules. After a while in the choir, I realised that the Pinkies were giving me connection and community. I felt a satisfying glow to see the same people every week and to do something together that we loved. Continue reading “Tales of the Pinkie – Andy Quan”

Winter Concert: Amour and More

Hsien
Hsien

A special dash of ooh-la-la
All you need for a magical night out is three ingredients: dazzling singing, a supportive audience and a special dash of ooh-la-la. Apologies to our French guests for that dreadful reference, but their presence really made Amour And More, our winter concert one of the most memorable ever!
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Mind the gap

Charlotte
Charlotte

London: Bright lights, Black cabs, Ab Fab and Free Love. Armed only with this optimistic vision and my Mum’s backpack (both c1968,) I stepped off the plane and into the abyss. Mind the gap indeed.
Looking not unlike the wide-eyed naif from the antipodes I in fact was, I strode jauntily through the streets of London singing the Beatles and seeking…I wasn’t sure what. But I was assured Big Cities Cater to All Tastes, and I guessed I’d know it when I saw it.
I hoped for something with a generous helping of Culture, lashings of Fun and a big dollop of Queer on the side. My demands were not so unusual. Certainly the less well-lit bystreets and alleyways of Soho have seen and satisfied far more particular appetites than mine. Still, I searched for weeks, to no avail. Continue reading “Mind the gap”