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My first gig for Hartley Voices

For my first gig I went a singing waiters performance in London. This was a corporate event, with the location being a luxury bathroom showroom.

This was not a location I had ever thought of as being a space for a performance, being surrounding by toilets! We travelled to the event on the train, taking with us the waiter’s costumes that we required for the evening. Once we arrived at the Italian themed event, we changed into our ‘disguise’ and then found our sound engineer who was already hard at work setting up the PA system. Once we had met up with the rest of the ensemble, we were ready to discuss the finalities of the performance before a quick sound check.

Guests of the event then started to arrive, so we stationed ourselves in an underground car park to keep of the way. This also gave us a great opportunity to relax and enjoy some Italian themed refreshments that the caterers had kindly supplied us. The food was delicious!

It was nearing the time of our performance, so we headed back out to the guests to help hand out some canapés and collect empty glasses to show ourselves as ‘waiters’.

The performance went really well, with a great response from the guests. It was now time to head home with weary feet and tired voices!

Clare

My first gig for Hartley Voices – 5th October 2012

Russel Opera Tenor for Hire LondonSara and Russell Singing Waiters LondonI had the opportunity to attend a Singing Waiters gig to see how the company worked for my own eyes. I was able to experience the lead up, the actual event and the wind-down afterwards to appreciate how much work and effort was put into each performance.

Arriving at the venue and sneaking around so guests didn’t spot us and become suspicious, was thrilling. Then it was time to change, I too was dressed in a waiters uniform. Black trousers, black shoes, white shirt, gold tie and a waistcoat that was supplied by the venue.

 

Sara Singing Waiters for Hire UKI watched Sara and Russell blend in with the staff working at the time, serving wine and the guests their meals. The faces of astonishment when the singing began, was something you could only see for yourself to truly understand.

Russell Singing Waiters for Hire LondonOnce the audience realised the surprise I was able to get some footage and images to refresh the current promotional material we use.

 

From attending the gig I felt much more passionate about my work and wanted that to come across when talking about Hartley Voices to clients, family and friends.

Laura

Caroling Rehearsals 

During October we held some rehearsals for our singers to come together and refresh their memories as to the Christmas repertoire. This was also a great oppurtunity for some of our new singers to meet and sing with our regulars!

It was great to hear the singers in action. When the whole group were singing together, it was such as powerful sound! Even though it seemed strange to be hearing Christmas carols in October, you couldn’t help but be in the festive spirit with the incredible sound that surrounded us!

This was also a great chance for me to meet all of the performers, who untill now I had only spoken to most of them via email. Everyone was lovely and it was nice to be able to put faces to the names I had heard so much about!

Now I can’t wait to see some of the quartet’s in action, especially in the full Victorian costumes!

Clare

Caroling Rehersals – 21st October 2012

I didn’t know what to expect from the caroling rehearsals but I got a pleasant surprise. All the Christmas songs I’ve known for years sounded so fresh and as if I was listening with new ears. The strength in sound was amazing, I could tell we were ready for the season to begin!

Laura

One Hour Opera’sCool! Workshop – 24th October 2012

The first production of the new school project was a hit! It was great to see the show in action. The kids loved taking part and we got a lot of positive feedback from parents. During the performance I was able to sit in the audience with my camera and camcorder, collecting promotional material for the Opera’sCool! website so that we could advertise the project to other schools.

From this experience I was able to get an insight of what direction Hartley Voices wanted to take the new Opera’sCool project and promote the material I gathered accordingly.

OperasCool Hartley Voices Educational School Music Programme

Laura

Play in a Day Opera’sCool! Workshop – 12th March 2013

Today we went back to Codicote Primary school to carry out another one of our Opera’sCool workshops. This time it was the Sound of Music, play in a day workshop with the school’s Key Stage One children.

The children were amazing with how quickily they picked up the songs and lines they needed to put on the final show. All the hard work the children but in definitely paid off, the final performance went seamlessly!

OperasCool Music SInging Educational Programme

Laura

Play in a Day Opera’sCool! Workshop – 13th March 2013

Today we carried out the Sound of Music, play in a day workshop with the Key Stage Two children at Codicote Primary school. It was flattering to realise both sets of children were as passionate as the other towards what we were offering.

Opera Sining School Educational Programme With more challenging tasks, more set building, more acting and harder scripts to occupy their minds with than the Key Stage One version, it seemed to be tailored to their age completely.

All day there was such a buzz throughout the school and when it came down to the final performance – To believe it was all put together and learnt in a day was so rewarding.

 

Laura

Singing Waiters – 28th April 2013

Today I spent my Sunday with work as I travelled with Sara to a Singing Waiters gig. With plenty of time before the performance (and a beautiful break room) it was the perfect opportunity to record some demo on the audio recorder I’d brought along. I was also able to take some quick snaps too!

Wedding Opera for Hire

The performance went well and I was home in time for Sunday Roast! Result!

Laura

Barbershop Quartet – 22nd May 2013

After a quick tmale barbershop quartet for hire londonrain ride and walk I was in London, at The Hilton Metropole to meet one of our Barbershop Quartets who were performing at a corporate event. This was the first time I’d heard a quartet which was all male. Having not known what to expect I have to say it was a pleasant surprise once they started singing. The energy and light they brought to the room seemed to add a smile to all faces. Even though I didn’t recognise all the songs myself, the crowd were really loving it!

Laura

Opera’sCool! Workshop – 5th June 2013

Had a great morning carrying out an interactive workshop with Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Hitchin. It was great to see so much effort and enthusiasm in just one room! The fact that they bought in their own costumes to wear when taking part in the production was very warming to be a part of.

Laura