Oxonmoot 2024

Following last year's success, I'm happy to announce the return of the Oxonmoot Scratch Choir! In this workshop I'll teach you a piece of choral music which, if all goes to plan, we can then perform on Saturday evening as an Entertainment. This was fantastic fun last year and very well recieved. No previous singing experience is necessary: the only requirement is that you love to sing! I very much look forward to seeing you there.

In order to perform on Saturday evening it is essential that the whole choir is present for the Entertainment soundcheck on Saturday afternoon. Our soundcheck time is 2pm. If this is an issue please don't let it stop you coming to the workshop: we will try to sort any problems out as best we can to let everyone be involved.
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This year I'll be teaching one of my own compositions entitled Anchor. This piece was written for a character in my own fantasy writing, and fits very well with themes in Tolkien's work such as fellowship and adventure.

If you scroll down this page, you will find the vocal score and rehearsal tracks recorded by my good friend Susan Harknett, which you can use to familiarise yourself with the piece before the workshop if you would so desire. This isn't a requirement, but I know some people like being able to look at things in advance.

A note on rehearsal tracks:

• There are three main parts: soprano, alto and tenor. Men with lower voices don't panic: the tenor part isn't very high! The track for each part is recorded with the other two quieter in the background to allow you to hear how it fits together. Altos have the tune for most of the piece.
• If you are super confident and feel able to look at more than one part, that might be useful in helping balance numbers on each part in the workshop.
• Men: you may notice that there are a few bars towards the end of the piece (from letter E) where the written line is different from the recording. Mostly it is simply an octave down from what is recorded in these bars. This is because the tracks were originally created for an all female choir. I expect you will be more comfortable singing it as written.

Come have tea and biscuits with your fellow LGBTQ+ excellent and admirable hobbits. This drop-in tea is a safe space to meet other queer Tolkien fans here at Oxonmoot, to socialize, and to relax. Whether you have been reading Tolkien since before the Silmarillion came into being, or whether you have only recently found yourself treading Middle-earth's many paths, all under our LGBTQ+ banner are welcome to pull up a chair in our cosy community meet-up.

THIS EVENT IS NOW HYBRID. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
If you are an online-only attendee, you are welcome to the break-out room for this event to socialize! Unfortunately you will not be able to interact with the in-person room, but people in the in-person room will be able to come over and say hi if they choose! Think of it as two adjoining rooms, designated for some cosy queer socializing. If you're on-line, bring your favorite snacks and a cup of tea, and chat with familiar faces and new ones who also cannot make it to the live event. We are one big Oxonmoot community!