The Co-op Funeral Service hold special carol services for families to remember loved ones who have passed away during the year. I got an invite as did Col's sister and we both decided to go. It was in Stowmarket church among the Christmas trees. Which looked so much better seen at night and all lit up compared to when I saw them in sunlight.
There were favourite carols, poems and bible readings. It was a good service and I lit a candle in memory of Colin.
But one problem - I can't sing anymore. I used to be able to sing and hold a tune but now my voice sounds like a quavering old lady! Is it because I don't talk very much? Can't be old age as many choirs have older members.
I thought I would try and sing and record it with the camera and found if I'm loud it sounds OK. So now I know what to do - practice singing loudly at home............But don't worry I won't be inflicting it on you!
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Good luck with the Voice Improvement Strategy. Singing is very cheering and there's lots of stuff to sing specific to the time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe service sounds lovely. I'm glad you were invited.
xx
I've been practising with Doh Ray Me from the Sound of Music!
DeleteWhat a lovely thing to do, the service I mean. Singing is one thing I'd love to have been able to do properly - I love music and sing along to my CDs and music on the radio all the time, regardless of the fact that I can't actually sing in tune! Husband's used to me, but Betty does give me funny looks sometimes...
ReplyDeleteOh go on Sue, inflict it on us - we just might like it!
Better not - I would lose followers!
DeleteThat’s sounds a lovely service as for the voice it probably just needs some practice !
ReplyDeleteLots of practice I think needed
DeleteCould we book you for leading the singing at one of our meetings?!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely service! How were the choirs?
The Military Wives choir was small - just 7 ladies but still lovely and the Co-op singers - also all ladies - about 20 of them - were mostly good although their version of Jingle Bells was a bit odd!
DeleteI can’t sing high as I used to, unless I can sing very loudly. If I want to sing with others, my voice is very deep.
ReplyDeleteI found I'm fine loud too so wonder why.
DeleteSometimes it's very difficult to get the pitch right especially with hymns. I love singing it's cheers me up.
ReplyDeleteSome carols go a bit high in the scales - I end up squeaking!
DeleteHow about singing with a CD every time you have a chance. (I can hear you saying “I would rather read”).
ReplyDeleteI have a custom of sitting,on my own, singing by the Christmas tree which started when I was a very small child. To my horror when I tried this year I experienced what you described!
I did a few verses la..ing and humming which sorted me out. Try it. I'm sure you are not ready to be a “ quavery old lady” yet; I’m certainly not and I’m older than you!
Sue
I've been practicing ready for another carol service
DeleteOur local crematorium holds a service every December for those who have lost loved ones. It’s a very moving service and you may sit quietly and reflect if that is what you prefer to do. I agree about practising your singing around the house-it releases endorphins and makes the day seem brighter.
ReplyDeleteSounds a nice idea
DeleteYour vocal chords need a regular workout, especially as we get older. With use you can get back in tune. Get singing! :)
ReplyDeleteLack of usage is a definite problem with my voice
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ReplyDeleteAs Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) said on a recent tv programme, he needs six months voice exercise before attempting to sing now. And he was deadly serious.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of voice exercises for an experienced singer, no wonder I can't sing - after days when I only talk to the cat!
DeleteI go for days without talking to anyone. I had a conversation out loud with an imaginary person on the station platform last week when I went into great details about what has happened in my life during the past 18 months, Nobody around and nobody to hear me. I felt better for it when I finished.
DeleteOur village has started a peoples choir where anyone can go whether good singers or not - perhaps it would be a good place to 'exercise' your voice if you have a local one. I lost a lot of my voice when I had a major operation to remove my Thyroid and the chords often get damaged - I can't scream now either - not that I was in tune much before though, but I am very conscious of sounding croaky at church!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the service - how lovely for the Co-op to do that it can mean a lot to people to be able to gather together to remember a loved one.
The church was almost full for the service,I'm glad I went
DeleteSounds like a lovely event. I hope the collection plate was nice and full afterwards.
ReplyDeleteWe all had envelopes to pop donations into a box
DeleteWe were invited to a similar service the year my sister died. I think it's quite comforting to know our loved ones are remembered, particularly at this time of year when there's so many other things going on around us.
ReplyDeleteThe church was nearly full of people remembering loved ones
DeleteGood that you and Col's sister were able to attend the service together. As for singing, the only place I do that these days is in my car. My octave range is definitely less than it used to be.
ReplyDeleteI've been singing on and off all day - so will soon have no voice at all!
DeleteWhat a lovely idea.I have never been able to sing.Now I can blame it on my age!!!!Barbarax
ReplyDeleteKeep trying as everyone has said it's good for you!
DeleteAll the choirs here get together and put on a wonderful event called Carols by Candlelight. Definitely not a sing a long. At the most recent one a little person, perhaps 18 months, warbled along in baby language. Some people were a bit sniffy about it but I thought it was lovely. We all need to be part of joyful noise so sing your heart out Sue.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to sing too.
DeleteSinging is good for the soul, just have your radio on in the kitchen and whenever a song comes on that you know some of the words to, sing along. When you don't know the words bop ... bopping and chopping go well together :-)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to be invited. I'm a terrible singer, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. There is something uplifting about singing songs.
ReplyDeleteOur pastor today said that some churches have a "Blue Christmas" service on the 21st for those who are hurting, mourning, and in need of respite from life's challenges.
ReplyDeleteI was a pro singer for a long time, choirs, solos, but now, for some reason, I have very little voice. Having a horrible cold over Thanksgiving didn't help, I could hardly croak out the carols today at service. Guess I'll have to bring my thermos of lemon/honey tea with me next week.
I love a good carol service.
My elderly mother, who is in mid 90's, found that she was loosing her voice in old age, from lack of use, so started reading aloud to herself to help keep it. I imagine singing in a community choir is even better for voice, lung power (another thing we loose in old age) and social interaction.
ReplyDeleteI am the opposite, the softer I sing the better I sound. At least I think so.
ReplyDeleteWe had a service like that in November. I usually light a candle for our parents and our daughter.
God bless.