Blog From Alice (Ensemble Conductor)

Alice photographed in rehearsal

What can I say? It's been an amazing week. I wanted to contribute to the blog as we were going through the process, but every night I had so much stuff to look over, I had no time. Last week was so overwhelming. I entered into the project with great anticipation. Joe and I had started out by singing in the last year's MHBB choir, only to somehow end up conducting it (it's a long story...). Rehearsing, practising and performing at the Royal Festival Hall last November was one of the most rewarding and most challenging things I have ever done. It was certainly my best and favorite gig. Ask anyone who was involved or anyone who came to see it. It was special.

When I was asked to conduct with Joe again, my initial reaction was "YEEEEES!"...but as I thought deeper, the nerves kicked in. I was thinking of all the work that we had to do, the sleepless nights counting bars in my head, the strange looks on the train when I was conducting as I was listening to the record, and what a huge performance we had to live up to. AND this new choir didn't know that I was a total novice conductor/choir leader. AND this was part of Music Week, traditionally a space for the Goldsmiths music students to play what they wanted, and we had busted in telling them it was singing only. Ouch. I have to admit, I was a little scared.

So Monday morning, Joe and I arrived at Deptford Town Hall, our notebooks and pencils at the ready. As the day went on, I really got into it. These people can sing! We went from being a bunch of people - some new to singing, some new to Goldsmiths, some even new to the country - to a proper choir. I can't believe how much everyone gave to this week. The professionalism, commitment, thought and kindness that was displayed by the students was amazing.  Everyone completely gave themselves to the process and the amount we achieved in 5 days was incredible.

Friday's performance was brilliant. My arms ached from a week of flailing them around, my legs hurt from practising Struan and Kate's dance moves and jumping up and down like a loon, my eyes hurt from lack of sleep, my head hurt from too much information in a too small brain. Fortunately, the choir didn't seem to notice and carried on being totally amazing and sang like pros and that all important intention was present at every turn. One Life in particular was so powerful. It felt like everyone was singing it for someone. I really had to hold it together before I turned into a blubbering wreck. Thanks to the choir for their support and words of encouragement. It really means a lot to me. And thanks to the conducting giant that is Big Joe Bentley. I'm so glad that we're in it again together.

I am so impressed by and proud of the choir. It's only been a few days, but I feel like friendships are forming and a community is starting. I'm even starting to remember some names! It all sounds very idealistic, but I don't feel that we're in a bubble. This all feels very real, very possible, very exciting. I wish that more people could have the opportunity to be part of something as special as this. I'm really grateful to the hardwork of Matthew and Eska and for making this possible and seeing the potential in the people around them.

I can't wait to continue building on the great work we've started and get everything polished and perfect for the big day. And then after the Barbican performance, keep on singing and take over the world. And I might remember a few more names.

See you all on Tuesday. 5pm sharp!

Lots of love,

Alice X

MATTHEW HERBERT VIDEO INTERVIEW

Learn more about the man behind the music. In this video interview Matthew Herbert discusses the inspiration behind his album "There's Me And There's You".

Performance Review By Angela (Production Assistant)

Hello lovely people!
What can I say... last night was a big and earned success!

After so much hard work I am so happy to say that  the whole performance went smoothly and that the ensemble looked amazing!

It has been such a good experience for me to follow the ensemble as part of the production team this year. I was a soprano of the Goldsmiths Ensemble last year when we performed for Matthew Herbert at the London Jazz Festival (and that was a whole brilliant experience of its own) but for the first time last night  I was enjoying the show instead of being on stage!

 I only now realize the power of this vocal group and how strongly each song's message comes across!

I think most of the audience was surprised last night by the unusual performance of the choir, by the creative and socially/ politically involved music that was sung and played and by the extremely talented main singer Eska Mtungwazi.
To 'shock' an audience is always an important and positive thing especially in today's world where it is not very easy to find meaningful music like Matthew Herbert's compositions.

Yesterday was a really intense day full of rehearsals, preparation, last minute things, adrenalin and excitement.

We also put up our 'mural' called the 'Ensemble Times' in the Great Hall. This gigantic lookalike newspaper showed a lot of articles that the members of the ensemble considered important to be showed and thoughts were written down on paper fro everyone to see and, why not, think about.

Photos of this event will be posted soon! Our friend and photographer Kate came along last night and took more lovely pictures!

To conclude todays blog I would like to say that I consider my self to be part of something important, something i am proud of. I am surrounded by people that have something to say, something so valid that it is worth singing it out loud!

Thanks to everyone involved in the ensemble and the very hard work of Alice and Jo.

Angela

Photos by Kate Stanworth

Last Night's Performance By Van (Production Assistant)

Last night I saw a group of individuals walk on stage and perform as a unit. I am so proud of the ensemble. This in itself is such a great achievement. To have learnt so many demanding songs in such a short time span. An ensemble that was made up of experienced and complete novices. 

The hours they've put in, both in rehearsals and in their own time. I have seen members grow weary but fight with persistence in these rehearsals. Many members of the ensemble are participating in something that is way out of their comfort zone. All of this and more, is the reason why the performance was such a success. The ensemble were determined to make it work and they did. They sang with confidence and performed with such strength, that it was provoking and uncomfortable. 
As I looked around closely at each member, I could see nothing but passion and feel nothing but inspiration. 

"One Life" which was the last song of the set, was the most powerful piece. The song had a bleep which represents 100 people killed in the war of Iraq. This bleep sit over the music in a tormenting way. After a while it turns into a continuous tone. 
The song ended in a 30 second silence. To pull this off and have the audience so quiet, was a true testament to how powerful the performance really was. I don't even think the ensemble intended on holding the silence for that long but that is the power of music and being caught up in the moment. It is hard when performing or even listening to this piece, not to get emotional involved and drawn in. 

For anyone who wants to see something different, modern, meaningful, political, thought provoking, inspiration........THIS IS THE SHOW TO SEE.


Van

Photos by Kate Stanworth

Day 5 - Blog From Van (Production Assistant)

Today is the big day, the first performance of the academic year for the ensemble and for most of the members the first time performing in such a project. I must say I am very excited and cannot wait for the performance. The ensemble has grown immensely since I'd joined (over a year ago) and I am honored to still be apart of it.

My role in the ensemble this year is different. Instead of being a member of the choir, I am assisting in the preparation of the two ensemble performances (The Great Hall and The Barbican). The experience has enabled me to grow and develop skills in so many different ways. I only have the ensemble and team working on this project to thank for this opportunity. 
I have spent the last few days off-site working on the props and websites and I shall continue to do so through the duration of this project. 


I hope my blogs give some of you a better insight of what is happening behind the scene and within the ensemble. Please feel free to comment on blog or ask questions. I'd be happy to respond.


That's it for now. Hope to see you tonight.


Van


*Thank you to all those who have continued to support the ensemble, it has simply added to this journey and experience.*

Day 4 - Blog Entry From Karolin (Member Of Ensemble)

Day 4... (and I still forgot my article for the mirror...shame on me)

It's all about intention today. I don't know why it is such a theme today, but it hangs in the room. Do everything you do with intention. Go, but don't just go. What's your intention behind it? Go to the horizon, it's not just straight to the horizon and why do we go to the horizon? When we go there we stop thinking about ourselves. We are not ourselves anymore. We are much further away and that's why we grow. That's how we sing. We sing to the horizon, because that's where the audience sits and they want to hear us.  We don’t want to hear ourselves, it's for them. 

I like this image because it helps me to stop fumbling around and rubbing my nose. I find standing so long without movement difficult, but there is a horizon and I can focus on it. There’s Alice, Joe, Struan, Eska, Katie, Julian and the ensemble.  We slowly comes together today, because of this focus.

We learnt “One Life” and this song is just... ......., sorry, I have no words! It moves, it hurts, it changes, it challenges and I think, for everyone of us. It's this perfect melody with this annoying sound that describes just everything that I can totally relate to. Maybe too much? I really have to keep my distance to deliver this song. It's amazing and Eska is just ... ... ... wow! We are a huge choir and yet it feels so intimate.

We’ve rehearsed the whole repertoire and I think we aren’t doing to badly. There are some parts that are not so clear and it’s funny as we’re like a big hive, one mind and we’re unsure together. But yes I think we are getting there.

The evening rehearsal after a long break was in The Great Hall. Big stage I have to admit, but ideal working space to rehearse “Take Me Home”. I think we’re all starting to feel more pressure now. It's interesting because for me it got ‘real’ this evening. It all seemed far away (I know a week is not far), but now it's thursday night and tomorrow is the concert. I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to get it out there into the audience. There are still some bits and pieces I have to get my head around. Battery is really hard with the pillow case. I couldn't see a thing and that made me feel quite insecure. I will try again tomorrow with one of those really cheap ones, where they only use half of the material or maybe I should go for the dinosaur one?

Let's see...

Karolin

Day 4 - Blog Entry From Angela (Production Assistant)

ONE MORE DAY TO GO

Hi everyone! Here I am again updating you on the Goldsmiths Ensemble's world!

Today was another really full day and it was all about revision, revision, revision and... getting it right!

The Ensemble has put a total of 26 hours of rehearsal time since Monday and has another 6 hours of rehearsals tomorrow before the concert tomorrow evening (2nd October), which will be held in Goldsmiths Great Hall from 7pm!

I feel this vocal group is living an amazing experience because it has the opportunity to work with such talented artists like vocalist/ songwriter and choir leader Eska Mtungwazi and composer and producer Matthew Herbert.

The day started with a 4 hour rehearsal this morning with Eska singing the lead part and the ensemble managed to go though the whole set, moves included.
Photographer Kate Stanworth also joined us this morning and took some beautiful pictures that you can check out below!

The first part of rehearsals finished at 2 pm. Everyone was then back at 6 pm to go through the set again with the ensemble move director to get even the smallest detail right!

All props are ready, the ensemble is ready, we are all ready!

I'm very excited... are you?

Don't miss this performance! (Tickets are £7 on the door, £4 for students and £3 concession tickets)

Hope to see you tomorrow.
Angela.

Photos by Kate Stanworth