Pascal Theatre Workshops January 2023
Eliza Flower (1803–1846) – Songs of the Months
2023 – the electric voice theatre year of Eliza Flower – began with an absolutely joyful series of workshops organised by Pascal Theatre Company as part of a regular Golden Years programme at St Pancras Community Association.
The workshops took place on January 9th, 16th & 23rd in the afternoons and were centred around the “Songs of the Months” by Eliza Flower which had been written in 1834.
We started with the song for January – A chime for the New Year – and many practiced between sessions so it began to sound really good.
They relished the schmaltz of the Valentine’s Day song,
Sweet! Be thou mine,
Sweet Valentine!
Sweet! I am thine,
Sweet Valentine!
and together we recited the poem for March written by Eliza’s sister, Sarah Flower Adams, and everyone grabbed some hand percussion so that they could respond to the storms in the words.
These workshops contributed hugely to our Flower of the Month project – to record and release a song each month throughout this year. You can hear how we are getting on HERE and before you ask, no we haven’t recorded the song for January yet – that is due to be the last on January 1st 2024. You can hear how we approached it in the materials below.
January
A Chime for the New Year
Eliza Flower & Sarah Flower Adams
St Pancras Singers Learning Tracks: (CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTONS TO LISTEN)
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Eliza Flower – January – Chorus Only Learning Track
Eliza Flower – January – Whole Song Slow Learning Track
You can download pdfs of the words and music by clicking on the pictures below:-
WORDS
MUSIC
This was a lively group who were endlessly interested in the history of a composer who lived on their doorstep 200 years ago. They readily joined in with all the warm up exercises and songs – despite everything being new and possibly miles out of their comfort zones. Who says that older people are only interested in songs and music they already know? At one point one lady commented that it was really good to do new things, learn new things and be stretched.
Familiar music is important too though – to relax towards the ends of sessions – so we had our own wee celebration for Burns Night on January 25th – singing along with some of our favourite arrangements by Scottish composer and concert pianist Helen Hopekirk (1856 – 1945). The music is performed here by our Artistic Director, Fances M Lynch – you can listen and sing along below
We did some marching too – Eliza Flower was someone whose radical politcal views seeped into all her music – but this one was sung by protesters on the streets. “The Gathering of the Unions – March & Song” (1832) is for chorus & brass band and the words are by Harriet Martineau (1802 – 1876). This performance is by the ELECTRIC VOICE THEATRE Virtual Choir.
It was very sad to leave the group behind after the final session – I learnt so much from working with them and found their company and energetic enthusiasm inspiring. I hope I will have another chance to sing with them, particularly if its organised by Pascal Theatre Company whose support was absolutely brilliant!