AGM 2025 and 20th Anniversary Rally

From a new member of the Singers..................

A few months ago, I read a very small article in the CAMC magazine and discovered that CAMC had its own choir. The CAMC Singers who knew! I had one of those light bulb moments, as the thought of combining my two favourite things, campervanning and singing in a choir, seemed too good to resist.

And after a few emails, I was up and running and invited to visit their own web site to see and hear their repertoire and download some of the pieces. So last weekend I drove up to Stratford Upon Avon site, got parked up for my very first rally ever.

Flying solo as they say these days, I find widowhood has its challenges but with the spirit of nothing ventured and nothing gained, I nervously walked into the hall at the appointed time.

We had been sent a programme, so I knew the first item was a call for helpers. I should explain that the choir was celebrating its 20th anniversary with a rehearsal weekend and a black-tie dinner, together with their AGM. So, within a second of opening the door to the hall someone, I now know was Viv the chairperson of the choir, called out “have you come to help?” That launched me into spending a very pleasant afternoon making Chinese lanterns, which were to festoon the hall for the evening. China representing a 20th anniversary.

I sat at a table of extremely friendly and welcoming people both men and women though, it must be said the men had other talents I am sure but sticking handles on lanterns wasn’t one of them. Everyone introduced themselves and that was just the start of what turned out to be a warm friendly and very welcoming weekend.

The rehearsals were fun, and the music not too challenging. Brian, the choir master, was funny and encouraging and a very talented musician and singer in his own right. At teatime (bring your own mug, how sensible) people made a point of coming to say hello and introducing themselves. I didn’t feel on my own for a second. Many around me were saying how they felt that they couldn’t really sing but they could manage and that was exactly how I felt. The feeling of singing in a community in four-part harmony is wonderful, spiritual and the sense of belonging and togetherness overwhelming. I’m a blender and a follower; I do read music and try hard to sight read but I can’t really sing (as those around me will testify) but the beauty of it is you end up being able to! With a bit of effort, you can use the practise parts on the web site and videos of past performances which are so impressive.

The black-tie dinner was a great success and so lovely to see everyone making the effort to dress up. We had a delicious meal which was followed by the choir’s very own band ‘The Prescriptions’ entertaining us with a plethora of favourite tunes and sing along music. The enthusiasm of the choir and committee was quite infectious, and I found myself saying genuinely, yes I would love to go again, and yes I really enjoyed the weekend and yes I would write something about my first experience of a rally. The choir committee had worked hard all year for this celebration. There were decorations, there were gifts and there was cake, oh my was there cake!

BUT most of all there was music…………………

So, it’s been said before and every cliché you can think of applies, go for it. You will be amazed and delighted you decided to be brave and go. How bad could it be, if it’s not for you then you could always just go home, but you won’t I assure you. Put your big girls (or boys) pants on, open the door to the hall and wait for the moment someone calls out, “have you come to help” and say YES!”

Claire Linder