Video Recap Lesson

The tricky chorus of You've Got A Friend was safely discharged this week but if you missed it, or if your head is still spinning from my attempts to teach it to you, all is not lost.

You can now find video recaps, right here in the Members' Area. Scroll down to Download Files and find the folder for You've Got A Friend and double click on it as normal to open it. Right at the top, you'll find two files:

• You_ve Got A Friend (Week 1) Video
• You_ve Got A Friend (Week 1) Video

For now you'll have to download the file and play them on your device but watch this space as next on the list of jobs is to build a video player so you can watch directly from here.

As for the back catalogue, I've started working my way through it. There are recap videos for Together In Electric Dreams up already and next on my list is I Want It That Way.

You seem to find the videos useful but do keep the feedback coming. If there's anything I can do to make things better then let me know. Equally, if you've got songs that you've never quite got to grips with then I can prioritise video lessons for those.

Very Loud Versions

Many of you have responded positively to the new very loud versions of the audio tracks. I'll be rolling that out for the rest of the repertoire as soon as possible.

There was a technical hiccup whereby the Upper Alto version was not playing the right file so if you've downloaded that and it doesn't sound right, you might want to re-download it. If you're using the Music Player it should correct itself.

There are now four audio tracks for many songs (all voices, loud, very loud and quiet) so if you're not sure which version to use, take a look at last Saturday's Synopsis (1st February) for more details about which one might suit you best.

Half Term

We've one more week of rehearsals before we take a break for half term. I'll be using the time productively, no doubt doing a bit of work on the website, catching up on some videos and preparing another arrangement.

I've really enjoy teaching and I'm very excited about performing You've Got A Friend. But it's a hard arrangement. There's some proper heavy-weight vocal stuff going on in there. It's ridiculous even to be attempting an arrangement as complex as this with with a choir that works broadly from memory!

But you've absolutely rocked it, Pop Club Choir and I'd like to say a big thank you for working so hard.

I had planned to move on to Giant next, but I might bump that to next term (yet again, with apologies to those who have been waiting so patiently). I feel what we now need is something super simple when we come back after half term. So, I'll be putting pen to paper in half term, and before I do, I'll give myself a stern talking to! Keep it simple, Ed!

Photos and WhatsApp

I'll finish with my usual reminder about joining the WhatsApp groups (at minimum the one-way group where only I can post). Links are in the Useful Information section at the top of the Messages From Ed.

Equally, do upload a photo if you've not already done, or just email one to me and I'll upload it for you. Alternatively, grab me at a rehearsal and I'll take a quick snap with my phone.

As always, do share your thoughts and feedback. You can email me at ed@popclubchoir.uk, or whatsapp, call or text on 07973 110075. Or hit me up on Facebook!

Ed X