Cbeebies FLASHMOB NEEDS US!
URGENT CALL FOR INTEREST… READ ON!

SAT 23 January 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: Oxford Museum of Natural History

We’ve been contacted by a BBC producer working on Andy’s Prehistoric adventures for CBeebies. (Most members with small children will know ALL about Cbeebies, but if not, it’s the BBC channel dedicated to early years programming).

They would like 10-20+ Oxford Operatic members to commit to it, and it will involve performing and recording one or both (depending on numbers) of two of the ‘raps’ from the programme (AS A FLASHMOB!) which will be aired on TV to promote the new show. There are also 20 dancers involved so it would be a great experience and exposure for the society in the run up to the Gala, not to mention a whole bunch of fun.

Thankfully it’s a Saturday and this is inclusive for members of all ages, male and female. If you are interested in having a laugh with the society (and seeing how the BBC does a flash mob)… with a chance you might be on telly doing what we love…. Please contact me, Libby, on liberty.belle@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested ASAP to ensure you get a place and can commit to being there, and I will get any information over to you as we get it.

The link to the rap is here for info, but I can send the words and backing tracks to all interested parties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FRDhzSoE2w and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgzE82EryLg

All the best,

Libby

WEST END TO BROADWAY
70 Showstopping Years

All you ever wanted to know about the Gala but were afraid to ask! 

With the Talk-In fast approaching (Thursday 7 January 2016 at St Clement’s Family Centre – 7.30pm), we thought you might like to know a little more about how the plans are shaping up.

Firstly, we are delighted to share the details of the programme with you.  It is an exciting mix of 42 songs from 36 of the shows we have performed over the years.  It truly is a Gala with something for everyone.

Opening Medley – arranged by Frankie Alexandra
Another Op’nin’, Another Show – Kiss Me Kate
Lullaby of Broadway – 42nd Street
There’s no Business like Showbusiness – Annie Get Your Gun

Modern Musicals
Superstar – Jesus Christ Superstar
Not While I’m Around – Sweeney Todd
I Know Him So Well – Chess
Tonight – West Side Story
Gimme Gimme – Thoroughly Modern Millie
We Go Together – Grease

Gilbert and Sullivan
When The Foeman Bares his Steel – The Pirates of Penzance
Never Mind the Why and Wherefore – HMS Pinafore
As Someday it may Happen – The Mikado
Strange Adventure – The Yeomen of the Guard
Dance a Cachucha – The Gondoliers
For He’s Gone and Married Yum-Yum – The Mikado

American Classics
Sunrise, Sunset – Fiddler on the Roof
Bill – Showboat
Ascot Gavotte – My Fair Lady
Brush Up Your Shakespeare – Kiss Me Kate
Love Trio – arranged by Chris Payne
Secret Love – Calamity Jane
I’ve Never Been in Love Before – Guys and Dolls
True Love – High Society
I’ve Got Rhythm – Crazy for You

Rodgers and Hammerstein
I’m Gonna Wash that Man – South Pacific
There is Nothing Like a Dame – South Pacific
Oklahoma! – Oklahoma!
Something Wonderful – The King and I
Climb Ev’ry Mountain – The Sound of Music

Opera and Operetta
Who Were the Yeomen? – Merrie England
Can-Can – Orpheus in the Underworld
Habanera – Carmen
Waltz Duet – The Merry Widow
Champagne Trio – Die Fledermaus

British Favourites
Me and My Girl Medley – arranged by Chris Payne
Me and My Girl
The Sun Has Got His Hat On
Once You Lose Your Heart
Lambeth Walk
I Could Be Happy With You – The Boy Friend
We Said We’d Never Look Back – Salad Days
Oom-Pah-Pah – Oliver!

Finale
Anything Goes – Anything Goes
You’ll Never Walk Alone – Carousel

As you can see it is a really packed programme with lots for everyone to do.  And in order to fill the more than 60 solo parts, we want to encourage as many people to audition!  These will be held on Sunday 24 January (withThursday 21 January as the reserve date).  Full details will be revealed at the Talk-In – but we wanted to share the audition music with you now.

We have selected 12 extracts and will be asking auditionees to perform up to 2 pieces that you feel show you at your very best.  We won’t be asking you to audition for specific parts of the concert – rather we are looking at how you can sell the song(s) and the sort of music that suits you best and allocating roles from there.

The music is not taken from any of the songs in the Gala – but it has all been selected to give you the chance to showcase yourselves in the styles we will need.  Don’t worry – all will become clear at the Talk-In!

Soprano
Green Finch and Linnet Bird – Sweeney Todd
If I Loved You – Carousel
Poor Wand’ring One – The Pirates of Penzance

Alto/Mezzo/Belt
Hearts Do Not Break – The Mikado
Not For The Life of Me – Thoroughly Modern Millie
I’m Just a Girl Who Can’t Say No – Oklahoma!

Tenor
Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes – The Gondoliers
Heaven on Their Minds – Jesus Christ Superstar
On the Street Where You Live – My Fair Lady

Baritone/Bass
Cool – West Side Story
Toreador’s Song – Carmen
Some Enchanted Evening – South Pacific

Explanatory Notes

You can download the music by clicking on the relevant titles.  There are also some explanatory notes available to download.  Paper copies of everything will be available at the Talk-In – so don’t worry if you haven’t got a printer.

We will explain how the auditions will work and introduce you to the exciting team of choreographers who are joining us for the production at the Talk-In.  There will be dance auditions to help us select who will be featured dancers – again full details at the Talk-In!