A Great Afternoon at Victoria Baths

 

Victoria Baths again

There was a real buzz at the Victoria Baths where we were invited to sing on Sunday at their Winter Festival.

And what a festival it was. There were over fifty stalls selling all sorts of wonderful handmade crafts. The tea room was open and doing a roaring trade. Footfall was heavy: lots of people coming to buy for Christmas and to listen to the various choirs performing that day.

We go there early and took a very circuitous route form Bury. We managed to dodge most of the football traffic: Manchester United was playing Everton at home, whilst City fans traipsed off to Liverpool. A lot of coming and going on the motorways and public transport then. That certainly has an effect on traffic in the Salford area.

But once you got to the baths it was clear that there are many people somewhat less interested in football.

This gave us the opportunity to listen to a variety of other choirs. The Bath certainly contributes to a great sound.

It was our turn to sing at 2.00 p.m. We mixed some of out normal repertoire with our Christmas titles. It was all Christmassy enough for us to don the purple Santa hats, tinsel and fairy lights.

“It’s so obvious you really enjoy what you’re doing,” said one observer.

Well, yes we do. Especially in this place where the sound works so well.

Many of us enjoyed a meal together afterwards.

It’s the beginning of a busy season. We have a few more events planned. Watch our Facebook page for details.         

 

Listen to one of our songs here.  

Victoria Baths 10 September

 

 

We usually shiver a little at the Victoria Baths . Not so yesterday, one of the hottest days of the year. Moving and singing actually felt a little cooler than just standing still.

Because of threatened road closures I personally allowed an extra forty-five minutes for my journey and bizarrely arrived forty-five minutes early even though I was stuck for a while in traffic. This had two great bonuses though; I was able to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey and a slice of their lemon drizzle cake and I was able to listen to the choir that performed before we did: the She Choir. They are an interesting group so do have a look at their web site. By one of those bizarre coincidences that occur more often than you’d credit I was actually at a meeting on Friday in the space where they rehearse.

Certainly the tea shop in Victoria Baths is to be recommended as is the bath itself as a place to sing; it was a joy to listen to them. This place really brings the music to life. The sound expands and echoes around the whole space.

It was soon our turn. The rehearsal space this time was the laundry.

“You’re not expecting us to do the laundry are you?” asked one of our altos. “We have enough of that to do at home.”

No, we needn’t have worried. No washing or ironing expected. Tough a little tucked out of the way  it was a pleasant space, quite cool and with a nice high ceiling.   

Then we were on and were soon singing to an appreciative audience. We have to take a little care with the echo; it’s tempting to slow down and listen to it. We were particularly pleased that one of our newer songs went well.  

We were part of the Pools of Creativity event that took place over the weekend. The artist Akinyemi Oludele was present at the event and indeed spent some time sketching us. He is Manchester based and has been involved in producing art for over twenty years. Indeed he often uses music and politics to inspire his work. He likes to draw what is in front of him. We were in front to of him.  

We always enjoy singing in this iconic space and hope to do so again soon. Yesterday was no exception.   

Victoria Baths Pop-up Cinema 6-8 December

It’s almost as cold inside the building as it is outside.  But who cares? What do they say? No such thing as bad weather only bad clothing? Everyone, - choir, cinema-goers and staff - are wrapped up in winter coats, Christmassy hats and jumpers and colourful warm scarves. We also wear fairy lights. Anyway, you can hire hot water bottles and blankets. Then there are the treats in the food hall – pies, cakes, mulled wine and hot chocolate, and much more besides.  

We sing first of all near the entrance hall as folk arrive. Here we present some of the old favourites, those carols that everyone knows: Away in a Manger, Coventry Carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Once in Royal David’s City, and Silent Night.  We add in some other songs we like – Going to Bethlehem Holly Jolly, Hush be Still and Past Three A Clock. This is such a lovely building to sing in. It always enriches the sound. 

After a short break we move up to the balcony overlooking the Sports Hall, where they are serving the food. So many people have arrived now that the place buzzes. 

Now we offer a few more well-known songs – including Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and The Twelve Days of Christmas.  (Watch out for the actions in this one. Can you keep up? )  

Another short break and we’re down in front of the screen.  People are now beginning to take their seats. The film will start shortly. We repeat our first set and add in Carol of the Bells.  My, don’t those “bells” ring out well in this space.

Soon the bath is full. People have settled into their deckchairs and have their blankets and hot water bottles ready. There is some excitement now. 

The films shown are ones that we’ve all seen before, probably many times.  But of course they are always better on the big screen and the festive atmosphere here adds an extra layer of anticipation.

Well worth a visit, then. It’s too late for this year but watch out for it again. Recommended.                    

Victoria Baths 14 October 2018

Victoria Baths plays with the senses

It said the water was six foot deep near where we stood. Just in line of sight was the sign indicating four foot. Our audience stood at the shallow end or sat on the viewing balcony above. 
 

When we started there were just three people but by the time we'd finished the first song of our first set there was a substantial crowd. A warm, appreciative crowd. 

It was the food festival.  Lucky for us there was enough time between the first and the second set to sample some of the goodies. What to choose though? Gorgeous, naughty cakes?  Pizza coked in a wood-fired oven?  Mauritian food? Curry?  Flavours of the Deep South? A regular café and bar was in operation as well.  

As I wandered round trying to make my mind up, a man stopped me.  "You're with the choir, aren’t you? When are you singing again?" 

I nodded. I guess the black outfit and the purple flower were the giveaway. "2.30, I believe. Though it may change." It did. We were asked to push our second performance back to 2.45. I gave him an update. I noticed him and his companions later when we sang our second set. 

Victoria Baths plays with the senses. In a nice way. It was grey outside at first which meant that it was chilly in the bath. Then the sun came out and was warm through the glass. The light is always extraordinary in this building, different, though according to the outside weather.  This time we had also the smells and tastes of some lovely food.  I hope we contributed well to the sound. A couple of times I heard that glorious echo.

Our second set was substantially different from the first one though there was some overlap – Bridge Over Troubled Water and Everything I do, for instance. All pieces, both times, with which we are very familiar. 

It was a slick affair. Everyone worked well together. This is of course one of the joys of belonging to a choir. 

And Victoria Baths feels like home.              

News 15 April 2018

The year is rolling along nicely now and our calendar is filling up.

See details below.                  

You can also find details on our Facebook page and we’ll usually put links on Twitter as well.

At most of our events you can get tickets on the door. However, we do recommend getting tickets in advance where we offer this. It helps us and it guarantees that you won’t be turned away at the door. We’ve not had to do that yet but we’ve come close to it.    

 

22 April Concert by Honour, The Lowry, Aldridge Studio, 8.00 p.m.   

So, yes, the first event we'll mention is one by our sister choir, Honour. Many of our members are also members of Honour.  The event features new music by Manchester composer, Andrew J Smith, and specially commissioned spoken word, alongside some old favourites. Great War / World War I themes.  More details and how to book are found at https://www.thelowry.com/events/honour-choir

12 May Concert Brunswick Parish Church M13 9TQ

We join other performers here to help raise funds for a young person to travel to the World Scout Jamboree.  Cake and tea will also be provided.  The concert starts at 2.30 p.m.     

   

13 May Concert at St Mary & St Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church, Radcliffe, M26 4DG

The concert begins at 2.00 p.m. We have performed here before and have held a couple of rehearsals in this lovely space when our normal venue has not been available.  Read more about the Church here.      

 

7 July Buxton

As usual we're doing two concerts:

11.00 a.m. United Reformed Church, Hardwick Square East, Buxton, SK17 6PT

3.00 p.m. St Mary's Church Dale Road, Buxton  SK17 6LN
on SK17 6PT

Tickets are available here:  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ordsallsingers  

And as usual there will be cake.

Like to see what we've done there in the past? Take a look here. 

8 September Victoria Baths Open Day   

14 October Victoria Baths Food Festival

On both occasions we'll be singing early afternoon. We've been here many times. It's an amazing building.  Read about our previous visits here.    

The Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0FE, are well worth a visit in any case.  Read more about them here.  

Other events

We'll also be performing at the Chorlton Festival of Choirs on 16 June.

 

Newsletter 12 July 2017

Last shout out for Buxton  

Buxton Fringe 15 July 2017

We’ll be singing at our usual two venues:

United Reformed Church Buxton 11.00  a.m.

St Mary’s Church Buxton 3.00 p.m.

Book your tickets at  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/EJKKHD If this link doesn’t work copy and paste it. This allows you to book separately for each event. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ordsallsingers/events takes you to both events. Some people have reported some difficulty with this. You can also text 07778 866661 to reserve tickets.

Tickets: £5.00 full price, £3.00 concessions, children under five free, family ticket £12.00 (up to four people, one of whom must be a concession) 

If you've not been to Buxton before we can really recommend this. It's a lovely place. The Fringe Festival is exciting, the weather forecast is great for this Saturday and there'll be plenty of cake.     

Breaking for the Summer

We have just two more rehearsals before we break for the summer. What shall we do on a Tuesday evening in August? Many members will of course be taking their annual holidays. But we all have our music and we are able to listen to recordings so there will still be plenty of singing. And there is one more event to go – see details below – as well as one in the autumn.  

     

Forthcoming Events

You can also find details on our Facebook page and we’ll usually put links on Twitter as well.

At most of our events you can get tickets on the door. However, we do recommend getting tickets in advance where we offer this. It helps us and it guarantees that you won’t be turned away at the door. We’ve not had to do that yet but we’ve come close to it.     

 

Ordsall Festival 22 July

This takes place in Ordsall Park Salford. We’ll be performing at home, in effect. It’s always good to remind ourselves of where we come from. We'll be singing between 12.30 and 2.15.

 

Victoria Baths 10 September

We’ll be singing at about 1.00 p.m. and 2.15 though watch out for updates on this newsletter and on our Facebook page. If you’ve not been before the Victoria Baths are well worth a visit. 

We now are singing there regularly a couple of times a year. You can read about our previous visits here.

  

Looking further ahead

We’re already looking to the autumn and winter. We have several unconfirmed events but as soon as the details are clear we'll get them out to you. They're quite exciting, actually….  

Past Events

We had a busy weekend last weekend.

Read about our performance at Swinton Grove here.

And Victoria Baths here.

Happy singing and listening, everyone.