News & Events
Forthcoming events:
2011
-
1 October
Biddulph Music Festival
-
11 October
Open Rehearsal at Harrington School Long Eaton will start at 8pm.
This is our dress rehearsal for the national convention in Harrogate, and
is open to anyone wishing to see us in action rehearsing for competition.
Harrington Junior School, Derby Road, Long Eaton, NG10 4BQ.
location map
-
21 - 23 October
Convention, Harrogate International Centre.
-
26 November
Selston Music Festival.
February
2011, Torquay 'Battle of the Choirs'

Gem Connection sang a varied programme, opening with our version of Lady
Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ and closing with two of our competition songs.
We came third overall in a very varied choral competition.
More
photos can
be found in the Gallery.
May 2011,
Derby Arts Festival

The competition was very close this year between us and another ladies
chorus in both the Barbershop and Concert Class.
We were awarded the
Miriam Harding Memorial Rose Bowl for our Concert class performance, once
again rated in the Outstanding category, which means ‘An exceptional
performance, technically and artistically’.

The judge wrote the following
comments:
-
A wonderful choir! In every
item you sang the beauty of your sound was never in doubt. Truly beautiful
tone quality, totally assured preparation, fully committed singing from
you all and wonderfully energetic direction from conductor.
-
It was such a pleasure to hear
and see you in action and thank you for such an expert display of skill.
Barbershop class –
Outstanding Category again
…every voice contributed so wonderfully.
…It was so persuasive all the way
November 2010,
Selston Music Festival

GEM Connection won the singing/choral competition, getting a
Distinction mark in this category.
The judge’s comments included
the following:
-
"Excellent blend."
-
"Very good dynamic range."
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"Bright costuming and faces –
full of enjoyment of the song."
-
"Some exquisite quiet singing.
Everything’s there – cascades, slides and excellent tag. Well done."
January 2010,
Gem Connection’s “Love To Sing” Course

Last year, Gem Connection decided to try a new way of raising the chorus
profile, whilst reaching out to the local community. The Music Team wanted a
real community project that would promote harmony singing, whilst remaining
fun and upbeat. Most importantly, this was to be a “no-strings-attached”
project, completely open to anyone who would like the opportunity to try
singing in a large group, but who may never have had the opportunity or
confidence to do so. Thus, the six week “Love To Sing Course” was born!
Read more about the love to
sing courses.
November 2009, Selston Music Festival
Gem Connection won the Barbershop class and were the overall winners of
the festival, gaining 90marks out of 100 and the following comments from the
judge:
-
“Exceptional presentation –
every singer was fully involved and ‘living’ the music.”
“A very polished performance with real pizzazz!”
-
“Very clean chording
throughout, and again, lots of attention to detail. good use of dynamics.”
-
“Overall: a very accomplished
choir, with terrific blend, balance and flair.
-
90 Outstanding (adjudicator
has only given this level of mark twice in the last 5 years)
-
Outstanding = An exceptional
performance, both technically and artistically
October/November 2009, Cheltenham – Convention

See and hear our best
performance ever and see action photos of our performance and party
afterwards! in the Gallery.
September 2009
Our member, Kim’s, wedding. See the picture in the
Gallery.
May
2009 Derby Arts Festival
Gem had a successful day’s competition, winning the Ladies Barbershop
section and coming joint first in the Concert Class along with the Dale
Divas
March
2009 Holland, European Convention
Our eventful trip started with the bus breaking down at 2 in the morning on
the motorway and a 2 hour wait for a replacement! The ferry ride took place
in a gale and our hotel was situated miles from the competition venue. But
nothing deterred us from smiling and singing all the way there and back! It
was a terrific trip. See the pictures in the Gallery.
November 2008 GEM Connection win Silver medal at national competition
Gem Connection members were thrilled and VERY proud to be awarded
the Silver Medal for their performance of Happy Feet and If I Give
My Heart To You at the LABBS Convention in Harrogate on November 1st
2008.

Proud Chorus Director, Rachael
and Musical Director, Lisa, hold our silver medal trophy and a bag of silver
medals, one for each chorus member. The photo was taken at our celebratory
dinner on the evening after the contest.
Listen to our performance
Happy feet
If I give my heart to you
Gem Connection also shared the Phoenix
prize for the best small chorus, together with two other choruses – Silver
Lining and the Abbey Belles. Three choruses joined together for this photos.

Three happy choruses
More
photos can
be found in the Gallery.
To see more News and Events,
visit our News and Events Archive. |