January is behind us and we go into February in good heart. I know that some of you have either had, or have booked, the first vaccination, which is good news. 

Have a look at Hosanna to the Son of David this week. It is in The Oxford Book of Tudor Anthems on page 113. We will examine it in detail next time. I have selected three recordings for you to listen to and compare.The Oxford Camerata is a brisk performance where excitement is generated mainly by the pace. Salisbury Cathedral Choir’s interpretation is a little bit slower and has a slightly detached rhythmic precision. The final one, included for local interest, is a version recorded by Nottingham Cathedral Choir during the first lockdown and before Alex Patterson left for Salford. (You may recognise someone on the bottom row).

For those of you who need to revise the notes here are some learning tracks:

These tracks up a semi-tone in the key that we sing them in.

Technical Work this week is on Consonants.  You will need these three sheets to make the best of it: Consonant Guide, Consonant Exercises and Roll the Old Chariot Along

Over the past week or so sea shanties have been in the news. There is one, Roll the old chariot along, at the end of the video. If anyone wishes to make up a verse or two please send them to me. You could record it or just send me the words and I’ll record it – above all have fun!