I have just Glo-o-o-o-o-o-ria'd in one breath...

[PerkingFaintly]

...to R3 carols. Hah, still got it then!*

What's your minor festive season triumph this year?

(*admittedly this is easier when pianissimo to not scare the neighbours)

This made me smile. Thanks 😊

In the same vain, I managed reach the upper notes of the descant in Hark The Herald without sounding too much like a strangled cat.

But can you do the 'Sing, choirs of angels....' verse from O Come All Ye Faithful?

The Christmas one or the Laura Brannigan one? Cos I’d be equally as impressed with with either.

Good job op!

Very impressive!

I play in a brass band and had similar sense of pride if I managed to do the whole line in one breath.

Since covid I've got no chance - gutted! 😂

How?

I don’t have the breath control. Well impressed.

I admit to yesterday having tried the descant for "While shep-herds watched you'll never make high D, oh hark yo-ou man-aged it..."

My neighbours must hate me...

I used to be able to but haven't tried this year. That's my plan for the evening......

@PerkingFaintly that is some achievement OP! There was a competition every year at my school for who could do it! Mr Barratt - theology - always got it as did Mrs Allen - Geography! I’ve just put it on and am going to attempt it now. Reminds me of Christmas morning mass with my parents; thank you for such a beautiful memory.

@UserEleventyNine

But can you do the 'Sing, choirs of angels....' verse from O Come All Ye Faithful?

The verse where you see the organist pull out three stops and think, "Gulp"?

Definitely a full-lunged middle-of-range attack on that one in this house. To any descants who manage it: chapeau (which will be twiddling near the ceiling where you blew it).

Woohoo I can still do it!

All those years of playing the flute & having that breath control have paid off!

This takes me back to primary school. As the rest of us were singing the line “Hosanna in excelsis!”, there would always be one or two kids still determinedly droning “OR OR-ORA-ORA-OR...”

It’s not a breath-holding competition, boys.

Oh yes, us too. We Glooo-oooo-oooooo-ooooooriad with the best of them the other day.

won't anybody think of the droplets?!

That’s it
I’m going to seek out “breath control for beginners” or something

I have to sit out at least half a carol! I mean, on every carol, can’t carry a tune in a bag.

Maverick!

Different former wind instrument here, and my soft palette's long gone soft – but I clearly still have the diaphragm of steel.

"In my youth," said the sage, "I took to the flute,
And practised each piece with my wife;
And the muscular strength, which it gave to my toot,
Has lasted the rest of my life."

(with apologies to Carroll)

Last year our choir sung a ridiculous version of Ding Dong Merrily on High that had everyone apart from the sopranos singing and donging at seemingly random intervals. Every rehearsal was a fiasco (it took us several attempts to stop laughing) and each try was peppered with someone going ‘Dong! Shit sorry!’ which really isn’t appropriate in Church. On the night of the Carol Service we got it spot on, absolutely perfect! We were so proud of ourselves. I miss that this year.

@acornautumn - you want The Breath Guy!

@Furrybootsyecomfy I assumed Laura Brannigan, too!

The Alternative Covid Test! No breathlessness for you.
Well done OP.

I've not been able to manage the tops of descants much since my teens. That doesn't always stop me trying though. Needs to be a good day, well warmed up with a following wind. Helps a lot if the choir or congregation is in full voice and the organist has pulled all the stops :)

On a bad day I struggle with the tops of the ordinary tunes. (Once in Royal - the E halfway through is particularly nasty) I can sing tenor parts when there's too many altos though :)

I'm massively missing hearing my son play organ this year. There's a small chance he'll be able to do some practice in our parish church after new year before he goes back to school.

I'd completely forgotten the Laura Branigan "Gloria"! Thank you, that's just been a lovely nostalgic re-listen.

This thread has put a smile on my face! I often sing along with the descants, even though I'm an alto these days. Well... I mean I was when we were actually still allowed to go to choir. I'm feeling a bit squawky on the high notes through lack of practice though.