The Launch: 7 December 2002 Today is the launch of Sing Live North East, a day I have been looking forward to for a long time. What the day will bring I wonder? Will I have to stand up on my own with all eyes watching and practice my scales? Will I be the only person to show up? Will there be hundreds of females and a solitary male? So I drive to Jesmond in the pouring rain filled with trepidation, humming songs from the musicals as I go.  | | Lorraine Craig |
On arriving at Jesmond I am pleased to see that other people are already here. Everything is very organised and I am handed my music pack and name badge, and sent off to the church to meet the rest of the group. As I enter the church it is so quiet that I think I have come to the wrong place and have just rudely burst into a sermon. The silence doesn't last long however! As an unexpected 'getting to know you session' we are asked to pose for photographs for the local newspapers. If only I had been more organised, I would have had my hair and make-up done, instead of showing up dressed to brave the elements. The photo sessions certainly help to break the ice, and we all cram together to get our faces in 'The Chronicle'. Those of us lucky enough to get a front row seat are punished for the privilege by having to sit still on cold marble slabs.  I had forgotten how good it is to be able to sing loudly with a group of people |
Now the fun begins. We are taught to stand correctly - my mind wanders a bit as I try to picture if my knees aren't above my feet when I stand up then where would they be? Then some breathing exercises and we are encouraged to yawn loudly to free space in our lungs. The pianist strikes middle C and we are off, I had forgotten how good it is to be able to sing loudly with a group of people. No fear of solo scales here as we all do exercises to determine our voice type. I am an Alto 2 and put into a group with other 'low' women. The atmosphere in the group has already changed and we applaud each other's efforts when we sing 'One Day More' from 'Les Miserables.' After a lesson in creative visualisation (I am a French revolutionist and I am angry) I feel that already I can sing the song in a different way, and to my untrained ears I think we sound pretty good. Any passer-by will certainly be able to hear these people sing! The next song has an altogether different mood and we all cope with the change to mellowed-out 60s dudes singing the 'Rhythm of Life.' Today has been a great taste of things to come, and I am very much looking forward to the next meeting. The sense of fun in the group is already apparent and I think this will help with all the hard work that's ahead of us. Roll on Thursday. | 
