Yet again our very own Junior FR put on an outstanding performance but this time it was Roald Dahl’s “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf”
Two performances took place on 23rd July in the Memorial Hall, Rangeworthy. This version was a humorous, contemporary spin on this well-know fairy tale with there being an unexpected surprise for the wolf!
The performers worked hard and learnt a different set of skills, incorporating acting and dancing. The music score was also improved (in our barbershop world) by adding harmony lines into two and even four parts.

JFR were delighted to recently receive £100 from the TAF and Eisteddfod Committees after taking part again in the Thornbury Eisteddfod. They were recognised as “great kids with a very enthusiastic support group” and “Junior FR are very inclusive and have a diverse age range, being an external chorus, all of the kids want to be there…”

Special mention must go to the JFR adult team, their continued help and support means so much to the girls and us in Fascinating Rhythm.

We all had such a good night at our charity concert on Saturday, 8th July in Bridgwater to raise funds for Ups and Downs South West.  The theatre was an amazing space to be in and the staff, especially technical team, were second to none.  Ticket sales, along with a spiffing raffle and some very generous match funding from Barclays Bank gathered over £1,000 into the coffers of this excellent cause.
We were thrilled with the debut performance of ‘Titanium’ quartet who sang Billy Joel’s ‘Lullaby’, and a Spice Girls medley.  Our ‘in-house’ quartet ‘Free Range’  also did a fantastic job with four songs in each half.
Mixed voiced a cappella group Planet 24 enjoyed the experience though with a touch of sadness as it was the last gig for their amazing beat boxer Henry; this master of timing will be greatly missed.
Fascinating Rhythm closed the first half with the very emotive song ‘Fix You’ and an inspiration DVD about the work of the charity playing images on the screen behind – not a dry in the house, including some on stage!

All groups combined to close the show with ‘Happy Together’ with the six gentlemen taking part getting nice and cosy right in the middle of 50 women – brave lads.  Our truly professional MC John Shipley, who is a Trustee for Ups & Downs, was supported effortlessly by new FR member Erica Smith as Stage Manager – her first time in the job (with all of two weeks notice).
Some comments from the audience: “so professional, a real pleasure to see”; “really impressed by the focus of Fascinating Rhythm on the MD and just how animated they all were – they looked like they were really enjoying every minute of it”.

Our lovely Emma Richardson who sings Bass with FR plighted her troth on Saturday, 24th June to Mr Steve Beale at the Hare and Hounds in the stunning location of Westonbirt. Fascinating Rhythm were invited to the wedding en masse and sang a set of five songs at the reception – the first being ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ that Emma dedicated to Steve. Steve then stepped up to join her and Mr & Mrs Beale delighted everyone by singing to each other. It was a truly lovely day, and we all wish them the very best for a long and … no apologies … harmonious life together.

We were delighted to be able to present our charity for 2016 – local RDA group Patchwork – with a cheque for £890 recently to help this very worthwhile, dedicated group who do such a wonderful job with the youngsters.

We had a great time at our joint concert with the Mendip Male Voice Choir on Saturday 20^th January, raising funds for the beautiful venue we sang in – Christ the Servant Church in Stockwood, Bristol.  Lovely feedback from the MD and PRO of MMVC re our two sessions …

‘Great concert, wonderful evening. I thought the ladies were outstanding, and particularly enjoyed FR’s renditions of “Pie Jesu,” “Pachelbel’s Canon” and “And so it Goes” – absolutely brilliant. Please convey my thanks to the ladies for coming. I will inform you of the amount made for the Church as soon as I have the final figure.
We must get together again sometime in the near future.  Thanks again, Terry (PRO).’

‘May I echo Terry’s compliments for a great concert and, considering both choirs were down on numbers, I think the Church were very grateful for what we did to raise very important funds for their use.  The Men were asking me to dig out “And So It Goes” from our music library to sing again – it is such a wonderful piece!  Best wishes, Jamie Knights (MD).’

The venue acoustics were excellent (always a help!), the gentlemen looked very smart in spotless white shirts with red silk ties and, to bring everything to a blissful conclusion, we were treated to a wonderful selection of home-made cakes.

Our much anticipated first coaching session of the year with Sally McLean in April was the usual mixture of mayhem and brain scrabbling hard work when our embryonic convention songs were tossed about like so much chaff in a hurricane, then slowly nursed back to some semblance of life, followed by a long, long list of how to care for the patient.  As ever, we were encouraged to go beyond what we think of as ‘our limit’ in the best possible way – much laughter, much encouragement, a bit of stern and quite a lot of cake.  Both our MD Jo Dean and Sally were in fine fettle bouncing ideas around and we just about kept up with their quick wit and energy.  Always exhilarating, we look forward to our next session in July.

Delighted!

Planet 24 have won their first class of the day at the Bath Music Festival with 88 points and a distinction, singing ‘Lonesome Road’ and ‘Moondance’.   The adjudicator particularly liked their free singing, sense of rhythm and performance!

Nice piece of silverware to polish for a year.

In the second class entered (Show Songs), out of a class of 12, P24 came joint 3rd with 84 points, were commended, and congratulated on the delivery of two very complex arrangements – ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’.  We’re very proud of them, especially as five of the singers are from Fascinating Rhythm, including MD Jo Dean.

We had a lovely surprise on 16th March – Planet 24 (The Venus & Mars A Cappella Company) came to showcase the songs that they are competing with at the Bath Music Festival on Saturday 25th March.  Made up of members from The Great Western Chorus, Black Sheep and Fascinating Rhythm, this mixed group entertained us with an eclectic  mix of songs.  We wish them every success – watch this space for the results!

Fascinating Rhythm invited Junior FR to rehearse with them on Thursday 9th March prior to JFR’s performance at the Thornbury Eisteddfod the following Tuesday.  The evening was led by Wendy Howse, Assistant Director / Choreographer of Fascinating Rhythm and JFR’s MD.
JFR had prepared a new 4- part warm up, written by Kitty Shelton Davies, whose inspiration came from a current chart song – Clean Bandit’s ‘Rockabye’. Working together in their sections, a JFR girl from each voice part – Lead, Bass, Tenor and Baritone – taught their harmony line to the FR ladies, who in turn introduced one of their warm ups to JFR’s repertoire. Both warms ups were then performed together as a whole chorus, producing an amazing sound for the very appreciative audience.  Parents came to support their talented offspring and, along with FR seniors, they gave JFR the invaluable opportunity to perform their Eisteddfod competition songs to a live audience, offered helpful feedback and advice to the girls and wishing them luck.

So, on Tuesday 14th March at St Mary’s Church in Thornbury alongside choirs from Tockington and Badminton Schools, this was the 4th year they have taken part, competing in the under 14’s category with ‘Amazing Grace / Pachabel’s Canon’ in three-part harmony and ‘Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho’ in two-part harmony.  With higher marks than last year, JFR were awarded a Distinction and were just pipped to the post by one point – a truly excellent result, particularly considering that the winning choir had over 60 singers. In addition, we are proud to say that this year eight of the Juniors ranging from 6 to 14 years will also be performing solos as part of the same Eisteddfod taking place on Sunday 19th March. Three of the girls were extremely courageous and gave Fascinating Rhythm a sneak preview of their performances.  These soloists are very privileged to have been invited to perform their songs at the Iron Acton May Day on 1st May.

Eisteddfod Update:

Comments from MD Wendy:
We came, we sang, we were truly awesome. New hoodies looked great. I am so, so proud.
The best performance yet. Second place with 87 marks (first place got 88), so only one mark difference. The audience loved us. Well done everyone.

New Hoodies!

Some comments from the adjudicator:
Clever mix of songs with Pachabel Canon / Amazing Grace which worked very well.  Very clear diction throughout, good use of consonants.  Narrative never compromised.  Admirable, beautiful performance and all without sheet music or accompaniment.

Comments from an audience member:
I was at St Mary’s Church today for the Choirs – I help on the Eisteddfod Committee so I have been present at many of these occasions over the years.  I thought that the overall standard of performance today was excellent, especially in the V21 class and I didn’t envy the adjudicator’s job because everyone gave of their best and entertained us all so well.
I just wanted to say on my own behalf how much I enjoyed the two songs performed by Junior FR – both excellent choices and so beautifully performed.  All of the singers were very engaged in the songs and their enjoyment of what they were doing was evident in their faces.  I thought the combination of Amazing Grace and Pachebel’s Canon was superb. I belong to a local acapella chorus and I can understand fully the challenges of this arrangement which worked brilliantly.  I’d be grateful if you could pass on to the choir my personal thanks for such a memorable performance.  I would also like to pass on a comment made by the founder of the Eisteddfod who attends all the classes every year.  She said that the conductor of your chorus was really impressive in her communication with the chorus.
See you all next year and you and your girls on vocals day.
With best wishes, Jackie Jackson

There is plenty in the pipeline for JFR this year. They are just about to start working on Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood which they will perform in July and on Friday 31st March we are encouraging each member of Junior FR to invite someone along to their rehearsal as part of ‘Bring a Friend’ night.