1000 Voices Concert at the Royal Albert Hall 2nd May 99.
| Sound waves from the Concert. |
| 1."Tonight" wave 1. |
| 2."Tonight" wave 2. |
| 3.A Good Thing Going, wave1 |
| 4.A Good Thing Going, wave 2 |
| 5.A Good Thing Going, wave 3 |
| 6.Not Day Goes By, wave 1 |
| 7.Not A Day Goes By, wave 2 |
Back Stage Report by Kathy
As promised I am sending you a few notes on THE weekend. It
started on Saturday at the Golders Green Hippodrome. First hitch, we were told
we could get in for 10 am to watch the Pros rehearse. I got there at 12 and due
to the bomb on Friday we were told we couldn't go in till 1.30. Never mind
there was a pub!
We finally got in at 2.30 and I was in the upstairs group and
the first person I saw on stage was PQ. He was just hanging around waiting for
us to get settled. Then all the pros were introduced to us and we started the
rehearsal. I must say they all looked a bit surprised when we started to sing
and seemed quite impressed, Philip was beaming and kept going up to people and
nodding at us as if to say 'they're good aren't they'. I have to say that by
the end of Sunday night I don't think there was a woman present who hadn't
developed a soft spot for him. He was always applauding us and smiling, and
encouraging us. He really is a lovely person, and so unassuming. He definitely
doesn't see himself as anything special, even though he is an incredibly
talented guy. In fact he was the only one who stayed with us right to the end
of rehearsal, the others drifted off when they were finished, and he could have
but he stayed watching us. He was fantastic and really made us feel that we
were all on the same team.
On the Sunday we started at 11.30 at the RAH and didn't finish
until 6.30, leaving only an hour to get something to eat, get changed and ready
to go back on, so I didn't have time to meet the others, but I was outside so
maybe we all passed each other. I saw all the people on the front row and the
ones on the right as I looked out were taking a lot of pics, was that the
Quasties. I must mention PQ's yoga. He kept us all amused by suddenly doing
yoga positions when he wasn't singing. He is one supple guy! On the Sunday he
had his family sitting watching and his children are lovely, and he is a really
good Dad, he kept going over to them and making sure they were ok, talking and
pointing things out. It was a really tiring weekend but very exciting. I passed
him in the corridor and said hello and he said 'hi how are you' and asked if we
were enjoying it to which we all replied yes and then we moved on as he was
busy, but I felt he was happy to talk to us. We all thought he was super and
all those who knew him only from the TAC didn't recognise him.
How did it feel, well in a word fantastic, amazing, terrifying
and unbelievable. We had so little spare time all Saturday and Sunday that
before we knew it we were sitting in our seats and watching people coming in to
the arena and I suddenly realised IT was about to happen. All the months of
hard work, of spending the previous week avoiding anyone sneezing or even just
clearing their throat for fear of picking something up, suddenly it was here
and the bottom dropped out of my stomach. I do remember during Memory, I looked
all around and experienced a very emotional moment, and told myself I would
remember this moment all my life, it was very moving. My husband and our group
managed to pick me out and we spent several moments waving. They were all
taking photos while the lights were still up and as I said before I was looking
very intently at the front row and wondering who was who and wishing I had had
time to meet up with you all. But all too soon it was over and I met up with my
friends as I didn't know where the coach was, and they all gave me a cheer when
I got on, but I was absolutely drained. It was a lovely feeling. I didn't have
any nerves really as it all happened so quickly, but it is something I will
always cherish and I hope I get the chance to sing there again.
The Night Of A Thousand Voices: a performer's viewpoint By Phil Cole
This event, marking the Centenary of NODA, was held in May 1999. NODA is the
National Operatic and Dramatic Association, a British organisation, which is
the "mother" to amateur theatrical groups in the UK.
I am a member of a group dedicated to bringing the joy of singing to
ordinary people. With over 700 performers registered,
we have performed
in large town halls (capacity c. 3000), the Albert Hall (of course!), The Opera
House in the beautiful spa town of Buxton in Derbyshire, and just last week - a
tent! This was, I have to say, a 3500-seater marquee, where we shared a concert
with International Superstar of Phantom and Les Miserables Dave Willetts.
But, back to "Albert"
Rehearsals for the event for our own company (the main body of the choir)
were split across three venues every week - no one place could hold us all on a
weekly basis. It was necessary to hire the enormous Leeds Town Hall the week
before the event so that we could rehearse with Director Hugh Wooldridge and
the marvellous Don Pippin.
It wasn't until Saturday 1st May that we were able to rehearse with PQ, etc.
We arrived outside the Golders Green Hippodrome in London mid-morning and were
introduced to our professional co-performers. Rehearsals followed and it's
great to say that the pros were absolutely amazed at what they heard. It must
be quite daunting for people whose living is made from performance to have an
array of teachers, students, administrators, bank clerks, housewives, retired
people, etc. etc. etc standing right behind them as their choral backing.
"Will they be up to it, will they come in on time with the right
note?" All manners of worries must go through their mind, I suppose.
Well, almost without exception, they stood and wept when they heard us sing
"Godspeed Titanic". They just couldn't praise us enough - this was
ample foundation for their confidence in us to support them on the great night.
PQ was very happy to hang around; having photos taken, chatting, signing the
immense amount of autographs from an adoring company. Of course, we have all
seen and admired his performance as Javert, either live or on the Anniversary
Les Mis video - and re we were, shoulder to shoulder with him (not quite on the
barricade, but an honour to be there!!!)
We rehearsed for three or four hours before saying our "au
revoirs" to this wonderful band of folk before making our way back to the
hotel.
The excitement we felt as the time approached for us to set off to the
Albert Hall was indescribable. Our Musical Director told us just to get in
there and sit down, look around and take in the immensity of the place for ten
minutes or so before focusing on the task in hand. I don't think any of us
really took it all in, during the whole day - ten minutes was never going to be
enough!
David Firman and Don Pippin took the stage before us as we started our
rehearsal. It wasn't too long before the pros walked out before us and waved a
cheery "Hello" to us. If they were nervous at all, they didn't show
it! The rehearsal progressed, and for my own part it was good to see that these
people rehearse just like we do - the big difference is that it's their job,
and our hobby.
We were told by the director that PQ would circulate around the children on
stage during "Circle of Life", touching outstretched hands as he met
them. Only at the end would he reach that end of the stage where the smallest
girl sat alone - he lifted he as Simba and tears reached eyes on stage just as
they would in the auditorium some hours later....
I was fortunate enough to be picked for the group to back Ken when he sang
"Luck Be A Lady". As we reached the front of the stage, my friend
Ralph turned to Connie Kunkle (later to sing "You'll Never Walk
Alone") and introduced himself, she was charming and showed great interest
in our involvement. I said "Hi" to Kelli James Chase and was given a
hug by the beautiful "Eponine" lady herself!
"Godspeed Titanic" was a wonderful experience for us all - it was
easy to transform the galleries into the decks of the fated ship, and singing
the piece I sort of felt I was there, watching her glide out of Southampton.
Mmmm, more tears! The absolute highlight for me personally was "Do You
Hear The People Sing". I was just so honoured to be the voice that gave
the first (title) line of the song, with the remainder of the company gradually
joining in. It's a memory that will live with me for such a very long time, I
know. On the day itself, the pros obviously were in a separate area from the
hordes on stage, so we never really got to mingle with them then off-stage.
They were just so friendly; it was a knockout to be there.
The evening performance came and went all too suddenly, no hitches (I'm glad
to say) and we had a wonderful party afterwards in the gallery. Adrenaline does
not subside that easily, though! Back to the hotel, and many of us did not even
go to bed, let alone go there late!
I'm more than honoured to have been there, and hope that we might repeat the
experience at some time.
At The Stage Door by Angela Pollard.
Well after
the concert we aimed for the stage door. There was Anne, AnnieR, Joely, Sue,
Barbara, a few others from the forum and me. There were quite a few people
waiting and you can guess who for. While we waited we talked about his
performance and how young he looked which actually shocked a couple of people
as the picture in the programme does not do him justice by far. Instead of a
man in his early forties you would have thought he was between 35 to 37 years
of age.
Eventually after what seemed forever he came out. We noticed as he came
down the ramp from the stage door ask his wife to take his bag to the car and
say he wouldn't be long. He quickly apologised and said he would be only
signing his name rather than writing messages as there were just too many
waiting for his autography. He was very kind and polite, such a perfect
gentlemam. He kept on saying he was sorry he did not know whose pen he had some
how obtained to sign his name. AnnieR was fortunate to get her picture taken
with him. I can't wait to see how it turned out As for Anne well she can
describe the hairs behind his ears and on the back of his neck in full detail.
Hopefully between us we have got some decent pictures of both the concert and
at the stage door.
As we slowly walked back we all agreed how wonderful not only the concert
was but the whole day had been. We really enjoyed getting to know one another
and to put faces to some of the names.
The Stage Door. by AnnieR
The excitement at the stage door was mounting when the whisper went round
"Philip Quast is coming out next." After first stopping to sign
programmes at the top of the steps, he was told his taxi was waiting and I
expected him to move quickly through everyone - how wrong I was! He was so
patient and generous, signing everything he was asked to, even holding a pose
for a photo that took a little time.
I could not believe it when, seeing a chance for Sue to get a clear shot, I
asked if he would mind one more photo and he replied "Yes, OK why
not", put his arm round my shoulders and turned to face the camera. What a
moment! I was so stunned I can't remember much else about it! Even as he was
trying to make his way to the taxi he was apologising for having to go but
still signing and smiling. I know others have said what a lovely man he is and
I can now say with complete conviction - Yes he is!
At the Stage Door by Barbara
After the concert, we all trooped off behind Angela to the stage door. I felt
quite nervous about this part as I'd never done that in my life before and at
one point I began to wonder just exactly what I was doing there.
We had to wait for quite some time before Philip came out and I was glad then that I waited as he was so nice. He spoke to everyone who asked for his autograph and was posing for pictures with a few people. I took a picture with him and AnnieR talking and I have no recollection at all of taking it. I think it must have been the shock of seeing him standing right at my side. He was so very nice and considerate, it's no wonder so many people like him. The perfect end to the perfect day!
In case your wondering what some of us look like well here is a little picture
of them.
Backrow: Sue between AnnieR's and Joely's Husbands
Frontrow: Barbara, AnnieR, Anne and Joely
Please note pictures reviews and waves are under copywrite and may not be used
without permission.
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