The beginning of my time in this role was spent trying to get the hang of Ralph's systems. In particular, I had to get the hang of a very large spreadsheet, with attendance data dating back to 2006, that was central to recording attendance, to generating new nametags and removing old ones, to generating email address lists, alphabetising nametags, and to printing lists of people who might pay on a weekly basis. It was all a bit intimidating and I was worried about messing things up (which of course, I did, occasionally).
Before long, however, a sudden change to our Covid Alert Level meant that we could no longer rehearse in person. Lala was amazing in stepping up to make Zoom rehearsals both fun and challenging, and singers really got into it - from the funny banter (especially among the basses) to waving our torches around in the dark singing "I am the light".
It was interesting to observe that Zoom helped singers from different voice parts to socialise in ways that didn't normally happen at venue-based rehearsals. And it was sweet getting to know people's cats and dogs, who were held up to cameras in various homes, so Choir members could appreciate them. Maybe this was a kind of adult version of "Calf Club Day"?
For our last rehearsal of term, we sang at Pukeahu. Over 50 singers turned up and were wrapped up warm for the chill of a Wellington Spring evening. It was a very memorable end to the term with lots of joyous masked hugs and socially-distanced singing!
Before long, however, a sudden change to our Covid Alert Level meant that we could no longer rehearse in person. Lala was amazing in stepping up to make Zoom rehearsals both fun and challenging, and singers really got into it - from the funny banter (especially among the basses) to waving our torches around in the dark singing "I am the light".
It was interesting to observe that Zoom helped singers from different voice parts to socialise in ways that didn't normally happen at venue-based rehearsals. And it was sweet getting to know people's cats and dogs, who were held up to cameras in various homes, so Choir members could appreciate them. Maybe this was a kind of adult version of "Calf Club Day"?
For our last rehearsal of term, we sang at Pukeahu. Over 50 singers turned up and were wrapped up warm for the chill of a Wellington Spring evening. It was a very memorable end to the term with lots of joyous masked hugs and socially-distanced singing!
Liz Willmott
is the current Secretary of the Choir. She took over from Ralph Gracie in June 2021.
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