Mis queridos compañeros cantantes,

Wow - what a return - thank you so much - it was wonderful that 24 of us were able to make it last night (including no less than 20 naked knees !!!) - it was great to be back in the relaxed company of good friends.

I have to say my vocal chords were a bit on the tight side last night - which necessitated soothing later in the evening with a couple of pints of Shuggyboat blond and a wee nip before I went to bed . How did the rest of you cope??? 

The Boss worked us hard - no mercy shown - but he had to get us match fit for Saturday afternoon and he did a canny job. There was a lot of positive energy and smiling faces last night - we’ve started where we left off in mid July but I think some of us (me!!) will need a bit of swotting up on the words before Saturday - in fact I’ve begun already!

Talking of positive vibes it was great to welcome Richard back to the fold last night after a short spell away. Richard is in the Premier League of bon viveurs so he’ll slot right back in without a problem. It also means that the stage coach to Upper Coquetdale is full once again - it’s a while since that was the case!!!! 

And so to Saturday. 

• The show ground is about half a mile through (west) Harbottle on the road to Alwinton 
• Singers and under 16’s are free but other adults cost £5
• The weather forecast is good - 19 degrees, sunny intervals and light winds
• We’re meeting outside the Music tent at 1pm  
• Attire is country style - which means basically anything you want. The Boss prefers long trousers - so if you want to wear shorts why not buy a pair of cargo pants and detach the bottoms after the gig!!! No problem with Alex’s pastel shirt - looking forward to guessing the colourAlex - I reckon it’s pastel green ?
• The music starts at 1pm and our co performers are really talented so it’s well worth visiting the music tent early and listening to them. We’re singing for 30 minutes from 2 to 230. 
• My suggestion for the singing formation would be that those who are confident they know the words should stand in the front row and those of us who need the written words stand in the back row - hope that works - it’s up to the Boss though!! 
• By the way we’re a bit rural so be prepared not to get a mobile signal there. 

I had an interesting drive home last night - in the last couple of miles after dropping Richard, Martin and Rik off, I had the pleasure of viewing the spectacular Blue Moon, had to swerve to miss a wee hedgehog on the road, saw a beautiful fox hunting before it raced away, had to stop the car to let a hare get out of the headlights and had a roe deer leap across my path - it only happens in the country - no wonder I needed that nip when I got home!!!!! 

Gentlemen, it was great to see you all again last night. Looking forward to a lovely autumn term of good company and superb singing (and of course the toon doing well in Europe [sorry Keith - Hope Sunderland do well too]). 

See you Saturday - onwards and upwards VoiceMale. 

  Mis queridos compañeros cantantes, mine kære sangerinder

Last night had that end of term feel about it - thanks to Sandra for making us work so hard at a great new song, “Lean on me”……a very appropriate song which in the title alone exemplifies the spirit we have in VoiceMale - it was beginning to sound really good by the end of the night😀. When it’s perfected it’s gonna be a great addition to the repertoire!!!

I must say I really like the way our repertoire is going - while we’re still retaining the best of the old repertoire we’re arguably travelling in to more complex and upbeat songs which are enjoyable to sing and which, judging by their responses, clearly appeal to our audiences.

It’s been a fabulous term with great gigs raising money and awareness for great causes in such far flung places as Wideopen, Rothbury and Whitley Bay. Thanks to you all for your efforts - there’s no doubt it’s a win win situation - on the one hand helping good causes and on the other hand the regularity of the gigs which is helping to improve our sound, tightness and stage presence.

Whilst on thanking folk I’d like to mention especially:

    Jon - for his inspirational leadership and infectious enthusiasm
    David M - for managing our finances so well and for his huge work in updating the website (which has really good content and looks really modern) and the IT so well
    The Committee for all their continuing hard work behind the scenes
    All the new guys who have recently joined us - we hope you’re enjoying it - and finally
    All of you for being such a positive bunch of lads and being such good fun to be with

So, just to remind our next term starts on Wednesday 30th August and our first gig is Saturday 2nd September at the Harbottle show - more details to follow when I have them. In the meantime Sandra and David have planned an informal family picnic at Druridge Bay between 11am and 2pm on Saturday 26th August to which we are all invited - more details from David in due course.

Ok so that’s it for this term. Thanks to all members, both long standing and new, for your comradeship, companionship, inclusivity, positive and can do attitudes. I think we all look forward to our Wednesday nights - we’re proud of what we’re achieving musically and enjoying each other’s company🍺🥳🎶.

Of course one of these messages wouldn’t be complete without a naked knee count 🦵🏼🦵🏼🦵🏼 - well out of a possible 46 knees on show last night I counted only 6 which were exposed to the elements! Well done David E, Mike and Paul for keeping summer going 🌞 ☀️. Perhaps we should try to go for a VoiceMale exposed knee record when we return on the 30th August!!😂😎.

Have a great summer everybody - may you and your loved ones all have a wonderful and relaxing time ⛵️⚓️🎵🚂🤩🙏🥳😎
Onwards and upwards VoiceMale 😎⬆️🚀⛵️🎵🎼🎶🤓
Cheers
Chris