Top secret. Diane's surprise.

Since joining Woapa 3 years ago I have met many wonderful people and made some good friends. Everyone in the singing group is enthusiastic and if asked would probably say that Wednesday evening, when we rehearse, is the highlight of their week. I certainly would. But I think it's fair to say that there's one member of the choir who stands out as being the most enthusiastic.

Diane, (on the right), with her friend and wedding coordinator, Deryn.

This lady missed out on attending last years Woapa day in August because she was in Scotland, but she hurried home on the Sunday to be back in Witney to watch the evening's performance. Then, vexed at having missed out on the day, she requested that the date for the 2014 Woapa day be announced before Christmas in order that she could arrange her holidays to be there. Not only did she make it this year, but she was one of the attendees who entered fully into the spirit of the 80's theme by dressing up.

But there's one particular incident which happened on Saturday 27th September 2014, that definitely qualifies her for title of 'Woapa's most enthusiastic fan'. On this day Diane Iverson married Steve Mullinger and, at her request, the choir performed at the evening reception.

Earlier in the year during a break in singing, Brian announced that Diane had asked if the choir could perform at her wedding. she requested that we perform 2 of our mash ups that were her favourites. A thousand years/Just give me a reason and Venus/Locomotion. That was the plan, but on the night we had a surprise for Diane.

Earlier in the year Diane and Steve had gone on holiday for 2 weeks, which meant that Diane missed 2 choir practises. The first week she was away, we were all issued with a 'Top secret' copy of the words to Angels by Robbie Williams, which Diane's friend, Deryn, also an enthusiastic choir member, said was a particular favourite of Diane's. We had only 2 weeks to practice it, harmonies and all. But being the consummate professionals we are, that didn't faze us, much. Everyone in the choir, except Diane, was emailed a copy of the backing track to enable them to practice at home.

Unfortunately we had the summer holiday break between then and the wedding and a few of the choir members were beginning to panic about remembering their parts. But Diane unwittingly obliged by not being able to attend the last rehearsal before the big day, allowing us to have one last practice.

Those of us who were able to attend, were asked to arrive at 7.30pm, ready to perform at 8.15. but when we arrived the speeches had only just begun and we were told that our performance would be delayed by about an hour. Fortunately, this gave us time to go to the room upstairs, where the ceremony had taken place, and have one final practice.

Diane and Steve's reaction to choir singing angels.

At last the time arrived. We gathered in front of the table where the DJ had set up his decks ready for the disco to follow. The blushing bride took her place with her fellow 'lows' and the performance began. Both mash ups were greeted by rapturous applause, with some guests even dancing along to the Locomotion. Diane then stepped forward to thank us, but instead she and her new husband, Steve were asked to sit down on 2 chairs that had been placed directly in front of the choir. Brian stepped forward and explained to the guests that unknown to Diane we had been practising another song and then the music started. As we began singing, Brian once again stepped forward, only this time he was wearing a Robbie Williams mask. Diane's face was a picture. As we sang, she shook her head in disbelief. Before we'd started singing, Steve had handed her a tissue and this was put to good use.

Mr and Mrs Mullinger.

After we'd finished Diane stood up and told the audience that she was a self confessed control freak, who didn't like surprises, but she was more than delighted with this one. Both Diane and Steve showed their appreciation, by hugging each of the choir members. Steve told us that when we were singing Angels, Diane cried for the first time that day.

I'm sure that I'm speaking for all of the Woapa members who sang that night when I say what an honour and a privilege it was to be there and sing for Diane and Steve on their special day and we wish with all the best for their future together.

Unfortunately, I don't have a video of us singing  Angels, but I do have one of the first Mash up, A thousand years/Just give me a reason. I hope Diane enjoys this blog about a part of her memories of her special day.

Video Isabel's own.

Photo's of Diane from her Facebook timeline

Photo of Diane and Steve's surprise courtesy of Joy Aitman. 

If it's August, it must be Woapa day!

Those of you that follow my blog are aware that one of my passions is singing. I think that I was born singing. Certainly from the age of about eight years old I performed regularly on stage with a local children's drama group, The St Ninian's Junior Concert Party, which is still going strong and in fact, celebrated its 50th anniversary a few years ago. Then, as an adult, I joined a gospel choir called Chord of Love, which I left when I started my family.

For many years,because of family commitments, illness and a fight with the 'black dog' that is depression I didn't do any singing, not even around the house. Then three years ago I was introduced to the West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts Adult singing Group, Woapa for short, and my life has never been the same since.

We meet every Wednesday evening during term time only. Which means that there's a long gap during the summer holidays when there's no Woapa. Apart from one Sunday in August when they run a singing workshop. We spend the day rehearsing several songs and then perform them in the evening, in front of long suffering family and friends. Every year they choose a different theme. The first year was an Abba day, the second was on West End musicals and this year was Songs from the 80's, ranging from the Bangles, through Whitney Houston, Bananarama, Jason and Kylie, and of course, not forgetting Madonna.

Normally, we don’t have any soloists in the singing group, but on this workshop any frustrated Adele's, Katy Perry's or Madonnas, get their chance to show off their talents. Guess what? I was one of them. After all, I am on a mission to prove that life can still be an adventure.

Me singing my solo.

The first year, I did my best Meryl Streep version of Money, money, money. This was the first time in a great many years that I’d performed a solo in public, apart from the odd karaoke when on holiday. Despite a squeaky start, and I mean that literally, I was rewarded with cheers and a round of applause.  An account of this can be found on my blog titled, Abba day. It may even contain video footage. Last year, I sang, You’re just to good to be true, from Jersey boys. The theme for this year being the 80’s, I chose to do Madonna’s, Crazy for you. 

There were more soloists this year than ever before, with one or two very nervous first timers. Lindsay, one of them, told me afterwards that by singing a solo in front of an audience, she had faced one of her biggest fears. She recently told me that she's hoping to do it again next year.

Diane and Deryn

Some of the ladies really threw themselves into the day and dressed up in 80's gear. Diane and Deryn, who performed Manic Monday together, certainly threw themselves into the part.

The lovely Brian and Lou.

Brian and Lou, the couple who run Woapa, had been up until at least midnight the night before, working out the backing singers' parts and harmonies. Yet, you would never have known how tired they must have been, from the enthusiastic way they threw themselves into the day.

Preparing for the performance

The rehearsal went well, the only hitch being a problem with the lighting, but Brian, with the help of one of the young Woapa tutors, soon had it sorted. Then tired, but excited, we finished rehearsing and prepared ourselves for the performance, some of the ladies retiring to the pub for a bit of 'Dutch courage.'

My certificate.

Then it was time for the performance. As family and friends gathered in the hall, we were backstage being presented with our certificates to mark our attendance on the day. Then, lights, camera, action, belting out Whitney Houston's 'Don't you wanna dance', we were off.

Pam doing her saxophone 'solo.'

After what seemed like only five minutes, it was all over. The final song, 'I've had the time of my life', from Dirty dancing, was greeted by rapturous applause by the captive audience. Especially the 'saxaphone solo' mimed by Pam, using a pink inflatable saxophone. I think it's fair to say that a good time was had by all. Practising and performing fourteen songs in one day is hard work, but so much fun. I can't wait to do it again next year. I wonder what the theme will be then?

For the finale, here is a video of me performing 'Crazy for you'. I don't think that Madonna has anything to worry about. :) Plus the added bonus of a video of my personal favourite, 'You're just too good to be true',  with apologies for the poor quality of the video.

Enjoy!

Photos of the day by kind permission of Diane Iverson.
Pam's saxophone photo, Brian from Woapa
Video courtesy of my long suffering hubby, Donald.