Kiwi Singer/Songwriter Rewrites Famous Song for WWI Centenary

 

What iconic New Zealand song was first sung in 1914?

Narelle Worboys has written new lyrics for it to mark the centenary of World War I. The song will feature in a dramatic ten-minute scene entitled “Women of Courage” presented by Narelle and her mother Isabel during the WWI Commemorative Concert at the Dannevirke Town Hall this Sunday.

Come experience a moving story of fear and faith -- and find out if you correctly guessed which song!

WWI Commemorative Concert

Dannevirke Town Hall

Sunday, 3rd August, 3pm

Gold coin entry

Doors open from 2pm. Come early to enjoy the themed floral art display and the static display by the Gallery of History.


For behind-the-scenes details, follow Narelle on Facebook.

PERFECT PITCH? Who, me?! (uncovering the truth about my singing)

Many people ask, after listening to me sing live, if I have perfect pitch. This astonishes me because I’ve always had trouble staying on pitch when singing unaccompanied.

Narelle Worboys: uncovering the truth about her singing

Two years ago, the difficulties of accessing a piano, or finding instrumental backing suited to my voice, prompted me to dare something radical and scary – singing acapella.

I like the freedom it brings. It makes it easy to bless folk with a song at a moment’s notice, and my song ministry has become more portable. I’ve also worked extensively on improvisational singing. But I’ve observed this year, singing daily but without applying set perimeters to my ears and vocal production, and often performing after eating and without warm-up or rehearsal, that whatever natural pitching ability I may have is suffering.

My health issues are always a factor, but in this instance, I’m hoping that time spent studying at the piano (and I don’t know yet how I’m going to manage that) will help correct the pitch sliding noticeable in recent videos.

Image credit: http://bobbyowsinski.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/would-you-take-perfect-pitch-drug.html

As to why people suppose me to be blessed with perfect pitch, I think what they may be referring to is the unusual tonal quality they hear, especially when I sing high. That, I wasn’t born with. It was a gift from God, supernaturally endowed after I lost my voice aged 19 (click here to hear the story).

Because of that gift, I keep sharing song despite my lack of technical skill, praying that God will empower me to give it proper support. I will certainly apply myself to it this month, because I’ve got a fabulous singing gig coming up on a subject I love – a War Remembrance Concert to mark the beginning of World War I a century ago.

To Mum With Love: gift of song stirs gift of faith

How do you go about creating a gift that will bless your mother? I'm so thankful that my voice recorder and camera are present and in good health, meaning I can share a special moment with you that resulted from my sister and I planning a gift for our mum.

Recipe: Gift for Mum. See video link for song.

Nine weeks after our fire, back at home with difficult problems and decisions to handle every day, I was glad to step outside of it all to celebrate my mother's birthday. My sister Sarah cooked a roast and a small mountain of baking to stock the pantry, competing for access to the oven with the glass technician installing the new splash-back over the bench. It looks gorgeous and Mum is thrilled. She's also delighted with the piles of Highlander bikkies.

Sarah and Narelle with a royal reminder: "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus."

After dinner, Sarah and I, dressed in our new purple merino tops (I think of purple as "Mum's colour"), sang for Mum one of her favourite hymns. Thirty times she reckons it was that she accompanied her five teenagers singing it in venues around New Zealand during the days of our Home Education Seminar Tours, and she never tired of it. You'll hear on the recording that she enjoys it still.

We had a conversation about the biblical accuracy of promising a harp in heaven, but decided if you understand it's not literal, it works as a metaphor for an eternity of music and praise. Sounds good to me.

Why not give your Mum a gift of encouragement? Here's an easy way: share this song with her! "It will be worth it all!" Here's the link: http://youtu.be/XSguEHhAvDI

Fiat lux!
Narelle

ABIDING LOVE album coming soon to YouTube

ABIDING LOVE: an "at home" musical experience with Narelle and Sarah Worboys

We hoped to launch our warm and casual 'insider experience' album back in December 2013, but it's been somewhat of an Everest ascent finding a way to conquer the technical peaks and crevasses. Here's hoping its not far away now.

What will be our legacy?

I've been enjoying the opportunity to see an excellent NZ historical documentary, "Making New Zealand". Last night the final episode closed with this statement: "THE QUESTION IS: WHAT WILL BE OUR LEGACY?"

My sentiments exactly, and the thought forming the foundation for the Anzac commemorative video I've been working on since April 24th.

WHAT WILL BE OUR LEGACY? Photo credit: Dannevirke Facebook

Music Project Teaser

Here's a hint of what’s coming...

This is the hat that sparked Narelle’s inspiring ANZAC commemorative poem for modern man, “Red Rose, Red Poppy”.

The hat that sparked a flurry of Anzac-themed creativity

 Just ten days after experiencing a house fire, Narelle was glad to find that her red knitted cap with its red and gold organza rose had escaped soot damage.

She says, "Thank you to the thoughtful donor who provided me with red poppies to wear on ANZAC Day!"

Anzac Remembrance: Australian Lighthorse kept alive by Tasmanian brigade

In the lead up to Anzac Day, it's great to remind ourselves of the dedication and courage of individuals who collectively made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. Here's an introduction to the Australian Lighthorsemen who were key factors in the liberation of Jerusalem during the World War I.

Nevill Thomas and the members of the Tasmanian Lighthorse gallop with sabre and lance, keeping alive the horsemanship and the spirit of the Light Horse.

Nevill and his fellow horsemen share a passion for keeping alive the memory of the Tasmnanian Light Horse from Australia's past. They take part in parades and events around the state, demonstrating the skills the Light Horsemen practiced for combat.

Martin Gibson created this video for ABC Open's My Crazy Passion project.

If you're wondering why I would post this on my music blog, it's because I'm nurturing a dream to make an Anzac music video featuring the Tasmanian Lighthorse. I know several of the reenactors you see in this video. I've embarked on a collaboration with a mobile recording studio. Now to find a filmmaker...