News and Gig sheet for 3 December 2017

Practice every Wednesday, St Peter’s, 1 Watling Place, Weston

Please send any replies to the email address provided.

From our President, Rob (leachr.t@bigpond.net.au):

Thank you to Barbara Huntley who has volunteered to undertake the position of Gig Manager. Much appreciated, Barbara.

Derek Bulpitt has advised that he will not be able to continue with The Gospel Folk, due to ill health. Derek will be missed, and we wish him all the best for the future. 

Following the Carols Under the Stars program, Brian will be “on leave”, but will be returning to conduct practices for TGF leading up to the Boorowa program in 2018. Brian will be guest conductor at Boorowa.

The Committee is planning an event on a date to be advised in 2018 to honour Brian’s outstanding contribution over a period of many years. Further information in this regard will be communicated to all TGF members as soon as possible.

From our Musical Director & Gig Manager, Brian (briantrig@iinet.net.au):

Last week, we decided that you will use your carols program for all the community songs and sing bookless for Holly Carol and Winter Canon. This Wednesday, we'll just quickly check that everyone is OK to sing our "harmony carols" without books too. So please have a look at Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Angels from the Realms of Glory and Christmas Day to make sure you know your parts. Hopefully, we can sing them without books. For Silent Night, I'd suggest you staple the German words onto your program.

There are still some slots left for anyone wishing to perform at our concert next week. 

Gigs

Many thanks to Barb for taking on this vital role in the future. 

Although the gig sheet says 7.00 for 7.30 for the Pearce Carols, I'd really appreciate your being there by 6.30 for a sound check and to get everyone in the right place. Thanks, also, to those who’ve agreed to do the transport and setting-up of the chairs (at 4.00).

Remember, if it's raining or threatening rain, we'll be moving along the road to Mary Help of Christians Catholic church on the corner of Hodgson and Beasley. Please tell all your friends of this backup plan.

I will ask John to do a broadcast email if that is the case, so keep an eye out.

From our Manager, Ted (tedwilliams@tpg.com.au):

It is pleasing that the choir now has its own sound system comprising amplifier, microphone, stands and cables, which were successfully tried out at practice last Wednesday. As far as I know we have used Brian’s equipment since the choir’s beginning. Thanks, Brian for making it available over all those years. Thanks also to Graeme Trompf for providing his advice and expertise in selecting the new equipment. The total cost of the equipment, including a case for the microphone and cables, was $782. Brian and Bette have generously offered to donate the cost of our new sound system. Thank you, Brian and Bette for your great generosity.

Further on donations, it may not be generally known amongst our members that our website was partly funded by a generous donation of $1000 from Geoff Smith, our original Manager. We are very grateful to Geoff for this and all he did for the choir.

Many thanks also to Judith Kent and Ann Tedder for all the work they have put in over the years. Judith has done such a good job in the kitchen – always arriving early, buying supplies and cleaning up – whilst Ann has looked after our uniform requirements, which also included buying in stock. Each has decided that it is time to move on and hand over to someone else. It is great that Jean Widdowson will continue looking after our supper needs. I have found all three wonderful to work with on the financial side of these operations.

A reminder that we start again on 7 February in the new year. St Peter’s is booked – they are so pleased to have us using their hall.

Choir Terms for 2018 will follow the ACT School Terms and Holidays. These are:

From our Membership Manager, Sharon (spwhite1204@gmail.com) and Member Support, Wendy (wjl26@rogers.com): 

A reminder that we will be having a Christmas supper on Wednesday, our final night of practice. So, if everyone could bring along a plate of goodies whether it be sweet or savoury or even drinks, it would be appreciated.

From our Treasurer, Ted (tedwilliams@tpg.com.au):

I am pleased to report that when we start again on 7 February next year, our term fee will be $25, at least for the first term. We will keep our fees under review and advise as soon as it becomes inevitable that they must rise. Our accumulated funds are dwindling given that we now pay our pianist each week. A new expense next year will be music arrangements, which in the past have been done by Brian and Suzanne.

Members are encouraged to pay fees by direct bank transfer:

: Our bank is Beyond Bank.

: BSB is 325 185.

: Account number is 03328550.

: Account name is 'The Gospel Folk Inc.'

Please identify yourself and the term to which the payment relates in the reference or description field (e.g., B Bloggs T3). Please be careful when entering our account number and account name as there have been rejections because of errors.

COMING GOSPEL FOLK EVENTS

(clicking WHERE opens map)

• Monday, 11 December, Carols Under the Stars, 4.00pm transport and setting up of chairs and equipment; 6.30 (sound check) for 7.30 start 

WHERE: Pearce Shops, Hodgson Cres, Pearce

• Wednesday, 

• Sunday, 15 April, tba, Boorowa Charity Fundraiser

WHERE: St Patricks Church, 66 Queen St, Boorowa