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Thursday 30 June 2011

How Do you Make Your Summer Special?

I'm hoping to run a series of posts on things to do this summer. But, in order to make this a success I need your help? I want to know if you have any activities, places you enjoy, or things that you do in the summer months. I would especially like to know about your favourite summer music and where you like to listen to music in sunny weather. Maybe you go to the beach, or sit by the side of a swimming pool. Maybe you attend a festival or two. Whatever it is, I'd love to hear from you.





Band in the park

Just a quick note to tell anyone that may be in the area that my brass band will be playing in Henley bandstand this Sunday afternoon- just down the road from the Henley Regetta. Do come along for what promises to be a sunny day out.

Sunday 19 June 2011

Choir of 1000 enters Abbey Road

Yesterday a choir of 1000 visited Abbey Road Studios to record a new CD- and I was lucky enough to be one of them!

We were recording the choral parts for two new movements composed by Karl Jenkins. There were so many of us that recording had to be split into 6 different groups who took turns to record. It was the first time I had ever been inside Abbey Road Studios and recording there was an amazing experience. We were conducted by one of The King Singers during rehearsal at a local church and then Karl Jenkins himself recorded us for the actual recording. We wore headphones on one ear so that we could listen to the pre-recorded orchestra and beep-tracks, whilst still being able to listen to the choir with the other ear. It was an interesting experience to hear the people at the recording desk stating the take, but what was truly amazing was the thought of all the people who had recorded there before us.

The photos of some of the artists who had recorded their lined the walls of the stairs down to the studio. And then there were movie posters downstairs from some of the soundtracks that had been recorded there. I must admit that every time I hear music I'm now thinking- was that recorded where I was yesterday?

I'll post here again when the CD comes out. In the meatime, look out for the mass choir on the 'sing for peace' website in September- I'm somewhere in that amazing sound!

Monday 13 June 2011

Monday's Music Moves Me #2

Hosted by XmasDolly

Today's theme:  It's my Happy Birthday to me.  So, play a song you think I'll like for my birthday!

Thursday 9 June 2011

Suggested Activity 8: Listen to some light music

Listen to some light music

'The Story Factory Reading Zone' readers say:
I listen to lighter, more fun, up-beat music in summer and more ballads and classical in winter
I listen to lighter stuff instead of heavier rock.


It seems that I have a lot in common with our musical readers. I also like 'more fun' music in the summer. There's nothing like up-beat music and a sunny day to put you in a good mood. Whether you listen to it whilst dancing around your kitchen, or driving the car, it always seems more appropriate in the summer some-how. If you haven't given it a go, I recommend some of the more pop-py stuff from your youth- nothing like some cheese to bring back good memories.


Over to you: What sort of music do you recommend for hot summer days?


Pop over to 'Living in A Time Warp' tomorrow to read about another recommended 'Places to Visit'.