NANAKRHYTHMS

RHYTHMIC THERAPY 30-12-2016 *THE HARMATTAN VOICE* The season is here again and the big question is how well are you protecting your voice? The Harmattan season is usually a dry and dusty period associated with low humidity. Obviously, we all see the harshness this weather pose to the hair and the skin; what about our 'internal systems'? Studies have shown that some micro-organisms that cause diseases increase during harmattan period. The season comes with dust that can trigger asthma and bronchitis attacks as well as cause cold, cough, catarrh, and even meningitis - all these will affect the voice. The greatest harm caused to singers during this season is dehydration - loss of liquid in our system.

RHYTHMIC THERAPY 29-12-2016 *THE HARMATTAN PITCH* The Harmattan is a dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind which blows from the Sahara Desert over the West African subcontinent into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March. It is cold in most places, but can be hot in some places, according to the circumstances. Temperatures can easily be as low as 9 °C (48 °F) all day, but sometimes in the afternoon the temperature can also soar to as high as 30 °C (86 °F), while the relative humidity drops under 10%. For many musicians, an instrument is one of the most important things they own. A musician’s instrument is the vessel that communicates their soul to the world, as well as the tool of their trade.

RHYTHMIC THERAPY 27-12-2016 *WHAT IS A CAROL* A carol doesn't necessarily mean a Christmas song; but when most people use the word carol today, they are referring to a strophic song associated with Christmas. The English Oxford Living Dictionary writes that a carol is a religious folk song or popular hymn. A Christmas Carol, Easter Carol and Advent Carol are all examples of 'carols'.

Were it not for music and the arts, everyday life would be consumed with labor, legal proceedings, payment deadlines, and medical procedures. Music and art represent the highest forms of human expression, and without them, life would be very dull. Music also happens to be one of the greatest tools for social evolution.

STREET RHYTHMS 02-12-2016 *THE ABSENTEES' CLICHÉ* Many performers,  especially choristers, have a believe that there is no need to attend practice if they will not robe, perform, or participate in an activity. In our orthodox churches, some choristers decide not to attend choir practices prior to their communion Sundays; and the excuse is that they will not robe, they will wear another uniform. Some choristers, who may also not be around from a programme decide not to attend practice. Another group of choristers may also not attend practice because they may want to be in their mofti. In all these instances, all these choristers must attend practice. Even if your excuse is genuine, try and make time for practice, especially if nothing is fixed at your practice period or if nothing will counter your practice period. What will happen if you decide to participate in an activity and the song going to be used was learnt during the period you absented yourself? Choir masters...

STREET RHYTHMS 30-11-2016 *THE ABSENTEEISM* For various reasons, most choristers are not able to attend practices as expected. While others may have good reasons, others don't have any. It is surprising to know that some people actually plan to be absent on specific days and for specific programmes without any good reasons. Some will even have it in mind that 'somebody'  will be available for the programme/activity; while that 'somebody' will also have the same in his/her mind; in the end, the attendance flops. Choristers have a responsibility to always inform their leaders if there is any good reason to be absent; I am sure there are laid down procedures/channels for such. In these days of social media platforms, it will be very good NOT to ask the permission on an open platform, do it privately; your excuse in the open may influence somebody to also be absent for no reason. Choristers should not think that their leaders must always know what is happening to ...

STREET RHYTHMS 28-11-2016 *THE LATENESS* While some choristers are doing well, others are always guilt of lateness. While the lateness of some choristers many be genuine, others may only give the usual 'GMT' excuse. As musicians, lateness shouldn't be part of our 'elements'. When we intentionally practice lateness to rehearsals, it will be transferred to church services, to external programmes, and to our major programmes. When we are late to somebody's programme, some find it normal but they find it abnormal if somebody attends their programme late. Here are some few reasons you must attend rehearsals and programmes early as a chorister. You must arrive early enough to rest before performing. You must arrive early to participate in some stage works. There will also be a proper sound-checks if your arrive early. If the engineer sets his sound to the tune of 20 choristers who arrived earlier, any additional sound after that may only 'destroy' th...