I was honoured to be asked to perform for the one-year anniversary of the amazing Helping Hands Charity. I have sung for them before, and I really what they did for the community. It makes me sad that homelessness still exists, and I'm glad that there are wonderful charities out there that help homeless people.
I am glad to help in any which way I can; singing for them might not be much, but if it cheers people up and puts a smile on their faces, then it's all worthwhile
I am glad to help in any which way I can; singing for them might not be much, but if it cheers people up and puts a smile on their faces, then it's all worthwhile
I got to work on devising a set list and practising the songs I had chosen. I was going to do eight songs this time, and I worked very hard on them all, making sure they sounded good.
The event was going to be held in the beautiful Guildhall Square in the evening, which meant that I'd just have time to go home from work and change and warm up my voice before heading over there. I work part time in a cafe to pay for my singing lessons.
So, when I had finished work, my Dad drove me home, and I changed into something casual, as it was windy and damp, so I wanted to be comfortable, so I wore one of my favourite dresses, a pink seifuku with brown boots (that's casual for me, haha!).
Then I warmed up my voice, and I grabbed my water and my phone with my backing tracks, and we headed off to Guildhall Square.
Things were underway when we arrived; there were long tables full of food and drink, and there was a big crowd all talking and having fun.
Becki arrived and set up her amp. I love her battery powered amp; it's so amazing and useful. And then she opened the show with one of her beautiful vintage songs.
We had decided she would sing two songs, and then I would, and we would keep swapping. Aleisha was supposed to sing with us, but sadly, she had injured her leg and couldn't make it.
So, after Becki's two songs, I took the microphone and looked at all the people in front of me. I recognised a lot of them from the last Helping Hands I sang at; not just the volunteers, but the crowd members, too.
My first song was “Pie Jesu,” which everybody seemed to enjoy. I really love performing this song, as it's so beautiful, and my second song was “Music and Me,” by Michael Jackson. I recently recorded my own version of this, and I have uploaded it to YouTube, and the video is clips of my various performances; some of these you won't have seen! So, do please check it out.
The event was going to be held in the beautiful Guildhall Square in the evening, which meant that I'd just have time to go home from work and change and warm up my voice before heading over there. I work part time in a cafe to pay for my singing lessons.
So, when I had finished work, my Dad drove me home, and I changed into something casual, as it was windy and damp, so I wanted to be comfortable, so I wore one of my favourite dresses, a pink seifuku with brown boots (that's casual for me, haha!).
Then I warmed up my voice, and I grabbed my water and my phone with my backing tracks, and we headed off to Guildhall Square.
Things were underway when we arrived; there were long tables full of food and drink, and there was a big crowd all talking and having fun.
Becki arrived and set up her amp. I love her battery powered amp; it's so amazing and useful. And then she opened the show with one of her beautiful vintage songs.
We had decided she would sing two songs, and then I would, and we would keep swapping. Aleisha was supposed to sing with us, but sadly, she had injured her leg and couldn't make it.
So, after Becki's two songs, I took the microphone and looked at all the people in front of me. I recognised a lot of them from the last Helping Hands I sang at; not just the volunteers, but the crowd members, too.
My first song was “Pie Jesu,” which everybody seemed to enjoy. I really love performing this song, as it's so beautiful, and my second song was “Music and Me,” by Michael Jackson. I recently recorded my own version of this, and I have uploaded it to YouTube, and the video is clips of my various performances; some of these you won't have seen! So, do please check it out.
Then, Becki took over and sang two of her songs; I like the way she really gets into her performance; it's like she was born to do this. And I love how she can get the crowd bopping and singing along, as well.
My next two songs were “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” from “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “O Mio Babbino Caro.” The crowd enjoyed “Wishing,” perhaps because they knew it, but when I sang “O Mio Babbino Caro,” one man started bowing, and he sat right next to my feet while I sang. It was very cute.
While Becki sang her songs, I kept hydrated by drinking water and chatting to the audience; they're all such lovely people.
My next two songs were “Il Mio Cuore Va” (My Heart Will Go On) and “Panis Angelicus,” which I thought was very appropriate for the event. It was my first time performing “Il Mio Cuore Va,” in public, and my first time since December singing “Panis Angelicus,” but the crowd seemed to enjoy them both. They seemed to especially like “Il Mio Cuore Va;” and two ladies kept doing the famous Titanic pose, and making me giggle! Luckily, I was able to hold it together.
And then, Becki sang her lovely songs, including “I Dreamed a Dream” by special request.
My final songs were the beautiful “Moon River,” which lots of people seemed to enjoy, and then I finished with “Time To Say Goodbye.” I so love singing this song, and whilst I was singing, I could see a group of elderly people who were walking by stop and watch, which made me happy. When I was finished, I got a nice, big round of applause, and then Becki ended the evening with her final songs while I chatted with the audience, and when Becki had finished, she joined me.
We had brought our camera, but as it drizzled here and there, we didn't want to risk it getting wet, so my Dad just took photos instead. Becki was much more prepared than us – she brought a little umbrella to cover the amp!
So, after more mingling, it was time to leave. The man who had bowed me gave me a lovely poem he had written and complimented Becki and me some more; he was very kind.
We helped Becki pack her stuff away in her car, before heading home ourselves.
Mum welcomed me home with a lovely cup of tea, and we had some leftover birthday cake, while watching a movie. We are doing our Halloween horror countdown, so we watched “Cape Fear,” I believe it was, with the scary Robert Mitchum. A great way to end the evening!
We have uploaded some pictures for you in the gallery, so please head over and check them out.
I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog, and I would like to thank the wonderful people of Helping Hands for inviting me to sing, and also for what they do.
Until next time
Lauren xx
My next two songs were “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” from “The Phantom of the Opera,” and “O Mio Babbino Caro.” The crowd enjoyed “Wishing,” perhaps because they knew it, but when I sang “O Mio Babbino Caro,” one man started bowing, and he sat right next to my feet while I sang. It was very cute.
While Becki sang her songs, I kept hydrated by drinking water and chatting to the audience; they're all such lovely people.
My next two songs were “Il Mio Cuore Va” (My Heart Will Go On) and “Panis Angelicus,” which I thought was very appropriate for the event. It was my first time performing “Il Mio Cuore Va,” in public, and my first time since December singing “Panis Angelicus,” but the crowd seemed to enjoy them both. They seemed to especially like “Il Mio Cuore Va;” and two ladies kept doing the famous Titanic pose, and making me giggle! Luckily, I was able to hold it together.
And then, Becki sang her lovely songs, including “I Dreamed a Dream” by special request.
My final songs were the beautiful “Moon River,” which lots of people seemed to enjoy, and then I finished with “Time To Say Goodbye.” I so love singing this song, and whilst I was singing, I could see a group of elderly people who were walking by stop and watch, which made me happy. When I was finished, I got a nice, big round of applause, and then Becki ended the evening with her final songs while I chatted with the audience, and when Becki had finished, she joined me.
We had brought our camera, but as it drizzled here and there, we didn't want to risk it getting wet, so my Dad just took photos instead. Becki was much more prepared than us – she brought a little umbrella to cover the amp!
So, after more mingling, it was time to leave. The man who had bowed me gave me a lovely poem he had written and complimented Becki and me some more; he was very kind.
We helped Becki pack her stuff away in her car, before heading home ourselves.
Mum welcomed me home with a lovely cup of tea, and we had some leftover birthday cake, while watching a movie. We are doing our Halloween horror countdown, so we watched “Cape Fear,” I believe it was, with the scary Robert Mitchum. A great way to end the evening!
We have uploaded some pictures for you in the gallery, so please head over and check them out.
I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog, and I would like to thank the wonderful people of Helping Hands for inviting me to sing, and also for what they do.
Until next time
Lauren xx