Category: Out and about with Bra-vissima

Concert, Event, Out and about with Bra-vissima

A Right Royal Celebration

joclarke76

Today Bra-vissima took part in the Big Help Out as part of the Coronation weekend celebration. We were invited to the Lordship Tea rooms in Writtle to sing in support of our chosen charity of the year – Barrow Farm Riding and Carriage Driving for the Disabled.

Armed with folding chairs, a gazebo and a silent prayer or two for the weather to hold, we gathered and sang together for our King, our community and nation, on what had been a momentous weekend.

Of course in true British tradition the wind started to whip up as soon as we began our performance, the pegs that had been placed so carefully on our musical director’s stand stood firm for a while, but in truth only held the music in place for several minutes before the music took flight and floated about as our singing rang out against the low chatter of those present, the murmur of several dogs, children of various ages and the fluttering of numerous Union Jacks.

Having rehearsed so diligently for many weeks in preparation, Bra-vissima are a choral group not afraid to change it up and go to plan B. The instruction of the day was to sing beautifully (but against the wonder that is the British weather) AND sing loudly. 

Jo Clarke

Concert, Out and about with Bra-vissima

Stunning surroundings the power of music and prayer

joclarke76

This evening members of the Bra-vissima choir arrived in Exeter from across the land duly attired in black with music folders in hand, ready to perform the first of two Evensong services at Exeter Cathedral.

Beautiful mauve cassocks carried with such care on the many train (not planes) and automobile journeys in recent days and hours were set free momentarily as they caught the February breeze outside the entrance of the Cathedral. A meeting of musical minds gathered promptly at 3.00 pm and a short walk to the song school beckoned. After such an intense period of rehearsal for the choir back in Brentwood, Essex, entering this inner sanctum of music and singing was like coming home. A place where many of us could recall (almost instantly) countless happy memories, in the knowledge that so many more would be made in the coming days.

A final check was made after a very successful rehearsal, not of pitch you would think or of musical competence, but of the covered flat shoes that everyone was wearing. Many hazards lay ahead for all of us, as we were in instructed so carefully by the Cathedral vergers of our walking route from the song school to the choir stalls of the cathedral. Slips, trips and noise were our temporary adversaries as our musical prowess this evening had to be matched by our ability to glide quietly along the old high arched passageways.

We reached our positions in the stalls without incident – our moment had arrived. The service began and was a privileged and glorious moment for us all.

Jo Clarke