View the World Premiere of Virtual Choir 2.0 !

Have you heard of Virtual Choir? If you haven't seen the videos yet, they'll knock your socks off.

80s popstar wannabe Eric Whitacre, now superstar classical composer and conductor, reveals details of the Virtual Choir 1.0 and 2.0, and the latter's world premiere in just one week:

New Zealand gets honourable mention! I'm excited and amazed to think I'm part of such a project. Did you spot me in the virtual universe...? ; ) Here's a clue for what to look for:

You can view the world premiere streaming live from New York on 7 April 2011, 6pm ET.  http://www.paleycenter.org/2011-spring-eric-whitacre  In New Zealand, that will be 10am on Friday, 8 April.

Where ever you are in the world, I hope you'll join me for this history-making event!
Warm wishes,
Narelle
www.YouTube.com/Songuine

If you'd like a text explanation of what is Virtual Choir, how it's done, and who is Eric Whitacre, click on this link and read the info box under the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geEm94ULVSQ

Narelle on TV

Jules Riding's new dvd CATACLYSM will air on Shine TV on January 1st and 2nd. You can watch online. Go to www.ShineTV.co.nz.

1 JAN, 7:30 - 9pm
2 JAN, 1:00 - 2:30pm.

Look out for Narelle in songs "In Your Presence" and "Holy God".

Roll on Wedding Song

The tour with Jules Riding is over but I haven't yet had time to sort the photos and film footage. Next week I fly to Christchurch (yes, the shaky isles) for a dear friend's wedding. I will be singing at her reception with, I believe, a small band.  Let's hope the vibrato will only be the kind we like!

Family, friends, fashion, a wedding, and music -- all my favourite things!

November Concert Dates

If you would like to hear Narelle live in concert with Jules Riding, here's your chance.

Four cities, in venues with wonderful acoustics.

St Johns Cathedral, Browning St, NAPIER Weds 17th Nov 7:30pm
St Peters Anglican, Terrace End, PALMERSTON NTH Thu 18th Nov 7:30pm
St Matthews Anglican, Church St, MASTERTON Sat 20th Nov 7:30pm
Old St Pauls, Mulgrave St, WELLINGTON Sun Nov 21st 7pm
(tickets for Wellington $10ea from Manna Bookstores)

Go to www.elkanah.org.nz for more details.

Narelle to debut in Auckland with Jules Riding

Dress rehearsal on Friday, then on Saturday -- lights, camera, action!

Howick is the place you'll want to be this Saturday, 9 October!

You can be part of the live audience when veteran New Zealand recording artist Jules Riding is filmed in concert for his new album CATACLYSM, with Acoustic Band and featuring vocalist Narelle Worboys whom he found on YouTube in March 2009. This is their second collaboration, but the first to be shared with the public.

Other guest artists are Nigel Gavin, Emma Roxburgh, and Hebron Children's Choir. [Wow, I'm sharing billing with Opera NZ resident artist Emma Roxburgh! http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/local/... ]

Don't miss this opportunity to hear great music for an amazing price! Get your tickets now -- just $10 each, $5 unwaged, by emailing tickets@elkanah.org.nz.

Remember, Saturday, 9 October, 7:30pm!
See you at Elim Christian Centre, 159 Botany Road, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand!

For more info on the album and record release/NZ Tour dates go to http://www.elkanah.org.nz.

BTW, "Freestyle" in the video means impromptu, unrehearsed, invention of the moment.

Singing for Susan Boyle & Jules Riding -- in the same year!

Progress in health management has allowed two exciting things into my life.

I've begun work on backing vocals for Jules Riding's next album debut, a concert that will be filmed live in Auckland on October 9th. Check his website for more details. I expect to also participate in at least a couple of the tour dates, those close to my hometown.

Last week, with 24 hours' notice, I auditioned for Susan Boyle. She's looking for someone to duet with on her next album, someone for whom she can do what Simon Cowell did for her. Even if I'm not what she's looking for, it was a fantastic opportunity, and I was provided with a reason to make a cool video which I hope you'll enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed making!

Just in case you thought the sound effects were contrived...

Hmm, what happened to my quiet year for writing the Queensland novel? That project seems to have been pushed to the back burner! Tomorrow afternoon it shall be my hot spot. I am determined.

YouPerform Contest results

Yes, Elaine and I won the April edition of the Musicnotes.com YouPerform Contest. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us. You can read the Musicnotes winners' interview here, and view the winning song on YouTube here.

If you missed the first part of the story, you can find out more about the creation of our Wedding Special here: Apple Blossom Wedding.

Apple Blossom Wedding

Voting is now open for the April edition of the YouPerform Contest at Musicnotes.com. Who should win the prize worth US$100? Have your say by clicking here.

Voting closes May 15th (Central Standard Time).

The butterfly link has been disabled so you can view this poster in a larger format. Follow the text link above to vote.

More details on the creation of our Apple Blossom Wedding Special will be posted on BoutiqueNarelle on Friday, 8th May.

Who's the winner?!? -- updated

29 April, 2009

Thank you so much to all those who voted for Elaine and I in the March edition of Musicnotes' YouPerform contest. There was such an enthusiastic response to the competition that the organizers have sponsored 2nd and 3rd place prizes for that and all future competitions provided there is a minimum of 10 entries. Clicking the above image will now take you to where you can view comments from the 3 winners and listen to their music.

I learned a lot from the experience and am very happy for the ladies who won those lovely music vouchers. I want one for myself, so Elaine and I have been working hard on our next feature, "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time". We hope to have that recorded in time for the contest opening on May 1st.

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2 April, 2009

Can we do it?

On the first of the month, Musicnotes.com provide a free download of their chosen arrangement for the month. The rules allow for competitors to choose from 1000+ arrangements by Musicnotes staff, but most people go for the free one. Competitors have one month to prepare and film their performance and upload it to their YouTube account. Public voting begins on the first of the following month, closing on the 15th. The prize is awarded at the end of that month.

Narelle loves Musicnotes.com because it revolutionized finding and purchasing sheetmusic. The Musicnotes website offers a pile of other music-related features, one of which is the YouPerform monthly contest, for which this video was created. Elaine and Narelle enjoyed making it, and hope you enjoy listening.

You'll probably recognize the melody made famous by Cat Stevens in the early 1970s, "Morning Has Broken", which was based on a song by Scottish composer Mary MacDonald (1789 - 1872). The original lyrics for her hymn entitled "Leanabh an Aigh" were in Gaelic. When the hymn was translated into English by Lachlan Macbean, the song was renamed "Bunessan" after a Scottish village close to Mary MacDonalds hometown of Ardtun. Musicnotes didn't supply any of these lyric versions in their "Bunessan" arrangement, so we decided to go with the vocalise style.

Musical Cheers

After 2 months' break due to exhaustion and voice trouble, it feels so wonderful to be making music again. My sister Sarah was home for a mere 29 hours, and the weather was cold, damp, and windy, but we managed to find a spot on Taradale to record two of our favourite ballads for our family and friends before she flew south again.

The Purple Hoods spy out the Land

Roses Will Bloom Again

I find this song a great faith builder. When I'm hurting because my hopes have been dashed, or floundering because I've lost track of the vision for my life, it helps to remind myself, Only God knows how or when, but roses will bloom again. He has proved He's faithful. I can trust Him with my life and everything important to me.

The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen

"Aberdeen" was unrehearsed and turned into a big joke as we tried to remember the harmonies. What the wind did to my hair I couldn't have done if I tried. We hope you have as much fun watching as we had singing.

You can also join us on a jaunt down the road to the strains of "How Marvellous".

May you take the road to your own Aberdeen and find roses blooming there.
Best wishes, Narelle & Sarah

Spring Calendar

SPRING PROGRAMS

Pahiatua
Combined Churches Service
Operation Christmas Child promotion
5:30pm
Sunday, August 31st

Elske Centre
1pm, Tuesday, September 9th

Eileen Mary
2pm, Friday, September 19th

Rahiri
2:30pm, Friday, September 26th

Autumn Lodge
2pm, Friday, October 3rd

Elske Centre
1pm, Monday, October 6th
CANCELLED due to funeral.

Eileen Mary
2pm, Friday, October 17th
POSTPONED. Narelle & Elaine taking a breather.

Autumn Lodge
2pm, Friday, October 24th
CANCELLED due to funeral.

Sacred Music at
The Edwardian House
8 Victoria Avenue, Dannevirke
2:30pm
Labour Day
Monday, October 27th
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Autumn Calendar

AUTUMN PROGRAM

Monday, March 17th
St. Patrick's Day party
Dannevirke RSA Club
1pm

Friday, April 25th
Anzac Day Concert
Fountain Theatre
Dannevirke
4pm