P.S. We’re 30 Concert

Gary

The 30th anniversary concert, ‘P.S. We’re 30!’ is performed to a sold-out Cadogan Hall. It features songs from each of the choir’s three decades and celebrates the journey that the choir had made, politically and musically. In the first of a couple of posts, Newbie Gary reveals all about his first concert experience as a Pink Singer.

Well I did it: I got through my first “Pink Singers” concert, the culmination of 5 months hard work by the choir.

I remember back in the summer when I decided I would go along for an audition. I was very nervous, but everyone was so friendly and helpful. There is so much talent in the Pink Singers and I am still in awe of the fact that I am part of such an amazing group. The Newbies Party was great fun and a chance to meet everyone socially, and made settling in a lot easier…

My first season was challenging, as firstly I don’t read music and secondly I hadn’t realised how much learning I would have to do away from rehearsals, especially for this bumper season featuring over 20 songs to learn! However the rehearsal piano tracks were a big help, but I’m sure many people were a bit scared when I have been singing along to them on my iPod whilst walking the dog!

In November, mid-way through the season we recorded a CD, which was brilliant, and sounds amazing. It makes me very proud to see my name on the sleeve. It’ll be available to buy online very soon!

Rehearsing at Cadogan Hall. Photograph by Hsien Chew
Rehearsing at Cadogan Hall. Photograph by Hsien Chew

So it was suddenly 19th January and Concert Day, I can’t believe the performance went so quickly, and I only forgot my words once as far I know which I am sorry to say wasn’t during a number involving choreography! I was nervous throughout most of the first half, but the response of the audience to every number was amazing and made all the rehearsals so worthwhile, and I only just managed to hold back the tears after the final rendition of Hand in Hand to which we received the most amazing standing ovation.

In the short time I have been a ‘Pinkie’ I have had a blast, and made some good friends. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, and if I’m honest I am a little sad to lose my “newbie” tag, but I am looking forward to our next season (starting on 17th February) already!

You can read the second post in the series here.

Timeline datestamp: 19 January 2013

P.S. We're 30 – Buy tickets now!

2013 sees the Pink Singers celebrating our 30th birthday! We begin our birthday year with a concert in the luxurious and atmospheric Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square on Saturday 19th January 2013. Join us for an evening of entertainment, featuring some of our best songs from the past three decades.
We will be celebrating our journey in style with this unmissable event, showcasing some of our best numbers by Sondheim, Mozart, Karl Jenkins, Massive Attack and many more. So come along and wipe those January blues away as we pull out all the stops with an eclectic and energetic show of song, dance, comedy, and a few surprises along the way…after all, it’s not every year you turn 30!
Book your tickets now!

Ticket Information

Tickets are available at four price points: £24, £20, £16, £12
Concessions (on top price tickets only):
Students, Senior citizens, etc.: £20
ENCORE Members: £20
Groups of 5+: £20 each

Around the World

Five months, eighteen rehearsals, a lot of belly laughs and tears of pride later, our Around The World concert is over! And what a concert! Murray, our Musical Director – fresh from working on Dr Dee at the ENO and a multitude of other projects, along with our Artistic Director Oli, skilfully guided us through a tough final afternoon rehearsal as we got to grips with new venue acoustics, percussion and the heat of the spotlights.

After donning our roses and gathering for a final bit of briefing in the green room, suddenly the concert hall filled, the colourful lights came up and it was time to hit the stage.

For me, it was a particularly special evening as it was my first concert with the Pinkies. Nerves nearly got the better of me before we went on. But many mornings rehearsing the lines and choreography on the bus to work (to the amusement of fellow passengers) paid off. I popped my pinkie cherry before a packed audience of hundreds (and one pigeon) at the beautiful St John’s, Smith Square.

This season’s whistle-stop tour of the globe, a celebration of London as a host of the 2012 Olympics and World Pride, saw us get our mouths around a whole host of languages including French, Hebrew, Italian, three Indian dialects, Portugese, Zulu, Swahili and Jiangsu Mandarin.

We were privileged to be joined by the super Gloria choir from Dublin, brought to the stage and conducted by Ian Packham, sporting a cheeky grin. After a grand set nestled around the interval, both choirs joined forces to perform the beautifully elegant Cantique de Jean Racine.

There were a few notable highlights for me – Hsien and Rafael flawlessly opening the concert with Baba Yetu, brimming with confidence; Gloria’s soulful rendition of the heartbreaking And So It Goes by Billy Joel which made me well up; and the lady Pinkies strutting their stuff during a medley of songs from Cabaret (several of the basses had to be held back from bursting onto stage to join them).

No concert is complete without an after-show party, and we let our hair down in style thanks to Gary, our social secretary, who organised a proper knees-up with plenty of dancing and, of course, singing. A fitting way to celebrate the culmination of so much hard work and effort from everyone involved. Many of us wandered home in the daylight some hours later!

After a busy spring, the Pinkies are having a little rest over the summer. I for one can’t wait until next season – it’s one of the biggest in the choir’s long and vibrant history as we turn thirty next year (and, co-incidentally, so do I!). There are big plans afoot! Put Saturday 19th January 2013 in your diary right now as our next concert promises to be a real firework.

Simon

Timeline datestamp: 14 July 2012

Pink Singers after-show party

You travelled around the world with the Pinkies now kick back and party with the stars at our world-famously fun after show party. On 14 July 2012 from 10.30 until 2am! Entry is by £10 donation. Ticket includes entry, DJ, disco and buffet and views over the river Thames! Contact a choir member for more details or email Gary or our Social Secretary via joining@pinksingers.co.uk for details on how to pay.
Spaces are limited – once they are gone they are gone so what are you waiting for? Carry on the global adventure and come fly with us into the early hours on the dancefloor!
Pink Singers after-show Party

My first Pinkies international trip

Charly
Charly

It was at my first official rehearsal back in February with the Pink Singers that I found out about the Lisbon trip and without any hesitation I’d secured my accommodation and flights…I was not going to miss out on this!! By the time it came to June, I could not contain my excitement. The weather in England was pretty dire so a weekend of sun, sea, sangria and singing was exactly what we needed!

Thanks to Tanya, our Choir Liaison, we had a comprehensive pack detailing the itinerary so we were ready to rumble. Thursday night we hit the town seeking out the local gay bar and surprise, surprise, we found some other Pinkies. Friday’s TV performance was cancelled so it was the perfect opportunity to head to the beach. Later that evening most of the choir attended a traditional Portuguese Fado show and meal kindly organised by our Social Secretary Gary.

Saturday was the headline day. We marched in the Pride parade, holding our banner high; singing, dancing and laughing all the way down into the city in the glorious sunshine. Another group meal and a quick change and we headed to the concert venue for a (very) late evening performance. After some vocal warm-ups in the cobbled streets we were ready to perform with the local LGBT choir. It was my first ever performance and I was so excited but despite my nerves I remembered my words and moves, woohoo! The show was a roaring success.

I came away from the trip with some great new friendships, a golden tan and a blooming great smile on my face. Here’s to the next one….