There are always so many stories to share in a Forget Me Notes week. Every Monday we have St Bride’s and Zoom Choir. Very different settings. One is held as part of a food bank in a community centre and one is an on-line expression.
St Brides is a real mix of people. Different cultures, different colours, different abilities, all coming together to sing. There are some great friendships within the group. People who very clearly support and care about the issues they face. Zoom choir has developed its own on-going identity, from something that took place in Covid it has become an integral part of the project family of Forget Me Notes. A number of people come on Monday afternoon who are no longer able to attend other groups, so to share stories and songs with them is just brilliant.
Alan and I were at Lauder Lodge on Tuesday and we rejoiced with the residents and staff who had been awarded all 5s from their care inspection. What a great endorsement of the work and love shared at Lauder. We had a great session.
We had been gearing up to Thursday with Forget Me Notes at the Fringe. All week I was watching the weather and wondering if we would be doing “Singing in the Rain” or "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”. I am happy to tell you that there was no rain at all. We did have haar or mist and I joked with the Street staff that we were doing Kate Bush and Wuthering Heights as we walked on out of the mist. I always remember my friend Michael telling me that before an event there is the pee you do because you need and then the one you do when you’re nervous. Just to say I was glad of the portable toilets at the Mound!
What was there to worry about, the whole thing was amazing with people singing-a-long enjoying the actions. It was inspiring to see people who had never met before taking a song sheet and singing with each other. No one asked where they were from and what their politics were. They were singing together and the only thing that mattered was expressing themselves and being a part of something. I think we must have had as many as three hundred people standing and singing with us. We never take for granted our Choir and Volunteers who once again did a wonderful job. I must also say a thank you to our musicians who guided us through so well. We never really comment about the standard of musicianship at Forget Me Notes because it’s not the be all and end all and sometimes the abilities of our musicians goes unnoticed. I am going to put that right in this post because the standard is off the chart. Thanks guys!
One thing we were able to do at the Mound was to remember Dolly Parton who died on Tuesday. What an inspirational person. Not only does she leave a musical legacy she leaves a legacy of how to be a human being. She has contributed to so many young people being able to read, to the health of people playing a huge part in the discovery of a vaccine during Covid. She represents Kindness, Compassion and Respect and for that we say thank you.
Another week lies ahead for the Forget Me Notes. While I have things in my diary there will be surprises, unexpected communications that will take place, challenges that will mean being adaptable. We will embrace it with the same enthusiasm and passion. I am so looking forward to Together in Song being back after the Fringe and meeting up with everyone at Capital Theatres. Have a good week.
