Califrau and other musical type people - I have a question

[harpsichordcarrier]

would I be madly bonkers to try and sing Tallis Spem in Allium from Scratch in June??
I have never sung it before
I would love to sing it
the choir I sing with could never manage it
would it just be disastrous?
advice pls

cooeeee Cali

heavens - sounds a toughy

yes well it is my choir
yes that is what I thought Beety
will try jura

sorry sorry I think I am not being clear.
my usual choir is NOT uo to it for sure.
I have the opportunity to go and do Spem from Scratch with another (better!) choir
I am interested how difficult it would be to sight read and sing from scratch in an afternoon.
I have ordered the sheet music but it won't come for a while and I need to decide ASAP I think

If the choir are up for it, then do it
Spem is not on my horizons right now (our lot are currently wibbling over Jesu Rex Admirabilis ) so I think you should seize the opportunity harpsi

And remember, if it does fall over, you are in great company. I once saw the Tallis Soc come to a crunchy halt in this...and they just picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and started all over again
and got a deserved ovation at the end

I can never understand why singing Spem is not right up there with bungee-jumping, Grand Canyon etc as a 1000 things to do before you die experience

It's all right jura dear, we know you all struggle after 20

Of course you must do it. You would be mad not to. Just do some preparation with the score and a recording, keep counting, and you'll be fine.

You can download a score for free here

Oh do it! I don't think it's hard singing wise, the only hard thing is that there don't tend to be many people on your part, and if you get lost then there's very little chance of getting back in again as it's all very slow moving and doesn't have distinctive 'points' iyswim. But I know lots of people who've done it from scratch and loved it!

Its not that difficult - and, provided that you have a conductor who is clear, you should be able to get back if you get lost, provided that you don't get too far out. One of the worst things is the size of the music!

Ah, give it a go, what's the worst that could happen?!? Even if you don't end up with a polished 'performance', you will still have a lovely day/afternoon learning it.

oh yes you have all persuaded me! it is a bit like Extreme Choral Singing, isn't it? white water part singing.

every time I think about it, I get a little adrenalin rush
and lol at jura not being able to count to 40
feel the fear and do it anyway.

oh yes, another vote for do it.
I did it in Peterborough Cathedral. heaven.

It's not difficult to sing (or sight read) I had to keep time in an exaggerated fashion with my foot. iirc there are 2 moments of peril when the whole choir stops, and then comes in together.....you do not want to be the sole voice singing out in the echoing spiritually uplifting silence.

go for it - sounds exciting.

can we all come?

I have absolutely no idea what any of you are on about but it sounds fabulous.

Mumsnet Spem in Allium from scratch?!? We'd need some dads though (or mums with a 40 a day habit)!