Happy Birthday to us!

It was exactly a year ago today that some 70 people, mostly unknown to one another, entered a room above a pub in Waterloo, sang some chorales, motets & chansons, drank a fair bit, then went home happy and slightly less unknown to one another.

Little did we imagine then that a year later, this mad project would still be going, stronger than ever, and with an increasing circle of polyphony enthusiasts who like a good pint.

Last night we celebrated the occasion with another group of around 70, working our way through a review of some of the best numbers that we covered over the first 12 months of our existence.

Highlights for me were the double-choir Duo Seraphim by Gallus (you should have heard it from where I was standing!) and an utterly magical rendition of Byrd’s Ne irascaris/Civitas sancti – still tingling at the memory of Sion deserta facta est.

The chorale from BWV 10 was another goosepimple moment, though it’s fair to say that a huge crowd trying to busk their way through the intricacies of BWV 437 after several pints was probably a step too far – one for a future after-hours session, perhaps.

Many thanks to those troopers who stayed on past 10; the Guerrero was great but I am particularly grateful for indulging me in this nonsense:

If you are on Twitter, you’ll already know that we have just launched Counterpint, PDtP’s sister event that’s designed to allow singers who can’t make Mondays to join in the fun – details here and you can also sign up here.

As we enter our 2nd year, I want to say a huge thank you to the hundreds of people who have sung with us so far, whether it was just the once or on a regular basis, whether you came from around the corner or from further afield, whether you are a professional singer or someone who hasn’t sung since school, this event would be nothing without you and I am incredibly grateful to you for turning up each month.

Cheers!

Kevin

Some of the highlights and lovely messages from last night’s celebrations