Delivered.

Oh, I'm back in the horrendously cold and windy Leeds.

Well, I was saying my love for musicals in my last post. As I said, I've performed in musicals, but I love watching them. I've been dragged, well ecstatic, to go the theatre, but i'm grateful for it. I've seen shows such as; Annie, Evita, Joseph, White Christmas, Wicked, Les Miserables, Dr Dolittle, Oliver, Rocky Horror, Grease, and plenty more. All these have shown the sheer amount of work you have to put into performing and the effort I am willing to put into it.

Just putting my music books back onto my shelf at uni. Music workbooks. Oh music at school was dyer!

Year seven was just keyboarding, so was year 8 really, although in year seven we got to watch the Sound Of Music. :) I started playing the guitar in year seven which I loved. My teacher was great and taught me songs I knew!! Anyway, Year 9 was when everyone found out I sang, in my first class with a different music teacher, 'now, I'll go down the register and you need to tell me what you play and anything musical you do in or outside of school.' shit, I thought oh great got to tell them i sing.

'Hope Marie McNulty.' Shit this is it.

'yes, I have guitar lessons in school, play in the light music group, oh and I'm head chorister of my church choir.'
Phew. I don't think I've ever spoken so fast in my life. I just hid behind the keyboard.
'what the fuck?? You do opera! Haha! Gutted' was the best reaction I received wonderful!

But I loved my teacher Mr Wheatcroft. He taught us Keyboard skills, again, but we actually taught us songs and we all played together and got a little band going in the class. We did the blues which was cool, and we recorded a little 12 bar blues number. We then did Unchained Melody, had drums, guitar, keyboards and even Me and some other girl singing it! I loved my lessons with Mr Wheatcroft. He definitely persuaded me to do GCSE music and keep singing. He even made me have 6 weeks worth of singing lessons with the teacher of time, then to be told, you really need a woman singing teacher, because in my eyes, you've got a good treble voice. Great!


So I Just kept singing in high school. Sentimental songs are: Be still. Just because I loved Mr O'Keefe's shining all around face and accentuation.
Bobby Shaftoe. Shit song but funny to do!
Bridge Over Troubled Water. I hate this song, but I will always remember it, simply because I apparently say water weird in it!
The Lord's my Shepherd. This is where I first learnt the song properly. Thanks Mr O'Keefe.
Danny Boy. Peter Kay. Enough said.
Three Kings. A challenge I needed.


So, Until then, I was just singing usual christmas and church stuff, as I went to an all girls Church of England school.


But sixth form came along and I chose to do Music :) wahey!
I had a new teacher Miss Callanan as Mr wheatcroft left. She had big boots to fill and she certainly did!
Musicals was a module on our course, so we studied different songs and even got to go on a trip to see Wicked and Les Mis. Fab! I also got given a singing teacher from school. Lynne Rogers. A singing teacher, okay I can deal with that. So I started off with her really well, she got me into competitions!
Oooh Competitions you kn0bheads! Singing had never been a competition for me before, just a little hobby and now Lynne is going, go on it'll be fun, and they mark you and they give you feedback!


Ok, I'll do it I said.


so I went and luckily enough there was only 6 people in my classes but they were the same people! yay! :|
I had to be first for one of them, what the hell do I have to do?
Hope-Marie McNulty. Great my full bloody name, thanks Lynne. So I got up introduced my song and myself, and had to tell the pianist what to do and just had to sing to a room full of people, shit. Okay, I could do this, it seemed to be going well, the room was silent and everyone was staring at me, woah.
Luckily, my piece wasn't that long and I was bowing and walking back to my seat. Why the hell did I get the shakes and nerves then. I think I may have felt the brutal attacking that was about to come. So everybody else sang, then the adjudicator decides to rip into everyone :) fun times! So he did the first three people and they didn't get placed, oh I must have got something then? yay! I came second overall, for my first ever competition I was enthralled. Then the butchering, I don't like your stance, I don't like the way you pronounce this, you could be louder here, quieter there, but overall it was a really good performance. Oh right well, what part was good then? oh your not going to tell me? oh ok then. :/


I've learnt after doing over 40 competitions this is all your to expect from your adjudicators. Although, the best competition I have done was at a singing competition down south, when I sang The Lord is my shepherd (yes, again, this was one of 38), and I was in a big class, with about 30 people in. You have to wait your turn while everyone else sings, I was 25th so had a lot of waiting to do. I was sat there listening to everyone and thinking these people have the same love of music, it was great to hear so many classical singers, both male and female.


I don't know why but I always say when it's just about to be my turn, mum I don't want to do it any more. And the answer I get it, don't be stupid.


So I walked up, and thought, I have to talk and there's ten points knocked off for being a scouser! woo!
The adjudicator said, I'm still writing so if you want to talk or something, go right a head. Why did I take his offer?
'Hello, I'm Hope McNulty, and I would like to sing Howard Goodall's, The Lord's my Shepherd. Most people know this as the Vicar of Dibley theme tune, I chose this song as it means a lot to me. Religiously, saying whatever perils or dangers, God will be there . Also, my friends have given me the nickname too because I'm the religious one.' people laughed, so I just laughed along too. Oh no.
So I started to sing and just thought nothing of it, ok, nerves have gone now, shit, what am I doing? Why am I getting 'in to it'? It couldn't finish any sooner. So I took a bow and people starting clapping and standing up, what the fuck? I legged it off the stage. I felt so embarrassed. Especially when the adjudicator went at the end of it, well obviously the winner is Hope McNulty, so I'll talk about her first and give her prize now. The shame.
I'd rather sing in the competitions so I could just sing, I don't see why is should be a competition :/
But some fab experience for me.


I think I may have to leave it here for now.....


.....to be continued.......


Hope Mc x

Sent Packing....

I'm sat on my bedroom floor folding clothes to put back in my bags.

So my holiday is nearly up and shall be making the trek back up to Leeds tomorrow. I didn't realise just how much stuff I own. Top after top, skirt after skirt, do I actually need all this.

Well, that's done. I'm ready to go.

Just looking around my room seeing my music books and just makes me think back on how I've got to where I am now and how hard to is to progress without luck. Flicking through the music from the first 3 years of being in my church choir. Panis Angelicus a loved favourite , Jesu, Joy another favourite for weddings. Plus all the big anthems including, O Thou the Central Orb and all the different Magnificats. That first 3 years made me fall in love with singing. Doing such meaningful anthems and doing Stainer's Crucifixion and Vivaldi's Gloria gave me such a boost and a want to be able to fulfill the standards these pieces have. Growing up being in the choir was hard, having to learn songs in a week and keep up to the standards of the boys that were in the choir before girls were allowed to join. Also, with the attitude of the choir master being boys sing a lot better than girls, we had a lot to live up to. With plenty of songs to learn at christmas, it's the most exciting part of the choir schedule, with lots of concerts and services to sing your heart out too.
Plenty of songs have a lot of sentimental value to me:
Angel Gabriel. This song was considered my solo for a few years.
Drop drop slow tears. A reminder of the suffering of Jesus that I sang a solo in.
Vivaldi's Gloria. The challenging runs and exciting chorus', with fab solo's and duets I loved singing.
Stainers Crucifixion. Holy week set to music, it's so sad and it's amazing chorus that are so meaningful.
On this day. For it's brilliant volume and it's awkward time signatures.
The Lord is my shepherd. This song will be with me all through my life. As well as doing it for Music Sunday, I've sang it at both Liverpool cathedrals, school, over 40 competitions and even my singing teachers annual concert.
Panis Angelicus. I've known this song for 12 1/2 years. And will always be one of my favourites.

Whilst being at choir, I joined a very prestigious amateur dramatic group that performs musicals. I still have quite a but of music from that too here. Joseph, Calamity Jane, Wizard of Oz (even though I didn't sing?!?), Guys and Dolls, Fame, Trinity Street Nativity, Oliver and Footloose.
These have built up my confidence so much. Making me dance has always been a low point, but I can do it, to a certain extent! Even if sometimes people totally get taken for granted and totally messed over by the musical directors, we all consider ourselves a huge family and look out for each other. I have made friends and family for life at HTYD/HTSD, Lizzy, the amazing choreographer who I adore and have an amazing laugh with. Cat, one of my favourite people who I just get on with, can talk to and always there for me. Jonny, the ladies man but the funniest person I know and the karaoke king. Julez, Jonny's brother who is absolutely down to earth and one if the most genuine people you could meet. A new member, Peter, who is such a great laugh and we can think of weird things together and laugh then carry on again. David, the musical genius that I can just chat for hours too, have a laugh and he makes me feel better when I'm down. Thank you for sharing your infinite wisdom and, of course, being there for me.
My big sister Vicky, who stands by me through everything, practically holding my hand. I owe a lot to Vicky, she's done so much for me. She picks me up when I'm down, calms me down when I'm up. She's helped me through every show and gets my accents up to scratch. I can talk to her about anything, even if it's stress, not living up to my own standards, falling off stage, men, or friends, she rescues me. I'm so glad you asked me to sing at your wedding, I hope I didn't let you down and I would do anything for you. Thank you my amazing big sis!
So some of my sentimental songs from the shows. Calamity Jane: Windy City. The most exciting song in the whole show. Enough said.
Joseph: Jacob and Sons. Those Canaan Days. These have brilliant music within these pieces.
Fame: Mabel's Prayer. What a fab, legend of a song!
Guys and dolls: it has to be Follow the Fold. Good old mission :)
Oliver: definitely That's Your Funeral. The best song in the show and the funnest!
Wizard of Oz: I hate all Wizard of Oz songs. Done.
Footloose: this is the show that got me dancing to the extreme. The songs have to be. Footloose, Somebody's Eyes, Let's hear it for the boy and I'm Free/ Heaven help me.

I grew up watching musicals; Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Annie, Grease and so many more. Thanks mum. So performing in HTYD has helped me develop my love for music and musicals.

I've rambled for too much for now.....

.... To be continued.....

Love Hope Mc x

Aled fix

Happy new year everyone! Thought I might start with being polite, and hoping everyone had a great night and a fabulous year. I've spent my new years day chilling at home in pj's and watching the holiday, getting dressed about 4 and going to my Nans for tea :) yum So my new years eve consisted of me having a spontaneous trip to the fiveways pub with my mum and dad and coming home and drinking a lot more and getting quite drunk with my mum and dad. A first! And most probably won't happen again due to this situation. My poor brother got dropped off home about 11.30 by his gf and her mum. Oh no, her mum came in and had a chat with us and probably thinks we're some sort of crazy people or thinks I'm literally obsessed with music as she kept asking me about it. Oh, and she thinks I'm an amazing singer! Haha! Whatever!!!! So after she left me and my parents ended up watching the inbetweeners film, hmmm, awkward.In my drunkenness, I bought more tickets to go and see Aled in White Christmas at Liverpool Empire theatre.yes, more.I went to see it about a week and a half ago with some friends from church. It was the first night. Brilliant. Oh and front row seats!! Aarrrggghhhh!!!! Exciting! It started off with going for nandos, then over to the theatre for a glass of wine before the show and we found our seats. We flicked through our programme and the show began.

Mmm aled was amazing....

Dancing and singing, acting was bearable. And his cute little welsh/american accent hahahaha!

The music in the show was superb! The singers were brilliant. Round of applause definitely deserved.

And now I'm going again.... Damn drunkenness haha! :D

Love Hope Mc x

Just another sing song.

Singing, singing, singing.

For 12 years, singing has had sone sort of part of my life. I have no idea what interested me into singing. None whatsoever.
It might be my mum making me sing at people walking in the air when I was five?!? Or knowing every single word of the spice girls. Possibly even my primary school teacher making me sing over the rainbow when I was 7?

But something made me want to do it.

Luckily enough my local church opened it's choir to girls, and I went. Simple as that. Weirdly, I got the whole choral singing voice, the whole chorister sound. I don't even know how that happened?? I just got it. I remember being 9 thinking, 'god this is easy!' I could just do it and sing the songs and the hymns and get them right?

So secondary school came along and really didn't tell anyone about singing, didn't feel I had to. Until, year 9 in my first class with a different music teacher, 'now, I'll go down the register and you need to tell me what you play and anything musical you do in or outside of school.' shit, I thought oh great got to tell them i sing.

'Hope Marie Mcnulty.' Shit this is it.

'yes, I have guitar lessons in school, play in the light music group, oh and I'm head chorister of my church choir.'
Phew. I don't think I've ever spoken so fast in my life. I just hid behind the keyboard.
'what the fuck?? You do opera! Haha! Gutted' was the best reaction I received wonderful!

After that school got more musical for me and no longer about sport. I played in the netball team, hockey team and rounders team, and played football then too. But music kind of gave me something to do without being overly competitive.

So I had to join the senior choir (yawn) and got allowed to join the chamber choir without having to audition haha. Wonderful! Singing songs that I'd already done for years in church and were quite easy.

But then the solos came along. Fml. Three kings, once in royal, and if I get asked to sing the lords my shepherd one more time, I'll commit! Okay, I have won about 7 trophies and placed over 30 times with that song but come on. That's just too many times!!

Then 6th form, ok, duetting with my friend zoya at prize giving was good but now I was doing something musical everyday senior choir, orchestra, light music, chamber choir, and jazz band on a Friday. Plus teaching myself to pass grade 5 theory. Musiced out! Then second year saw me starting my singing lessons jumping in at grade 6!

So I left school being cheated out of a higher grade in music as I was told my performances were given a disgraceful U, so I left school feeling pretty shit, after I decided history wasn't for me and focused on my music for it to be thrown back in my face. Well, I threw myself into my summer show.

And I had a new job! Haha! Woo! Fab! Little shits that's all I'm saying! Well.

Got my grade 8 and had to do my auditions! Woo!

And I ended up in Leeds College of Music after a lot of debate.

And I'm back for christmas singing. And had to save my old church choir when only two trebles turned up and I had to just sing 'properly' grrr....

Well. I've spoken too much!

Love Hope Mc x

Its not that sunny in Scunny

7.30am: alarm saying get the fuck up!

I've been at scunthorpe today visiting my liberal ginge! Haha Miss Laura Barnes. With my nans railcard thing I got to get the train for a £5 thanks very much!!

So I was sat on the train at 9.22 to manchester pic where I had to change! That was the tricky part, trying to walk through the ticket/ security people then them running after me when I just walked straight through! Excuse me! Excuse me I got all the way down the corridor! You've breached security!!

So I made it to my scunny train by the skin of my teeth!

Nice little journey next to a bunch of kids :/

Well, I made it. Where the hell was I? Where was everything?? Why was I in the wilderness?? There were trees everywhere?!? And no people anywhere?!??

Well anyway we trotted along to the 'town' centre and had a nose round the highstreet that is literally a high street :o shock to the system! Then off t'market to get some sweeties! Mmm proper Liverpool made cola bottles yum yum!! Obviously we then went to the pub for pub lunch (breakfast) and a good old natter!

Then off to Lauras house for a chill and off out again to get some fab shoesys for harri! Lovely and colourful! Then back to the house for her to try on and wear her brill outfit! And some phineas and ferb (googled it :) ).

Sadly I am now sat on the train back to Liverpool to a hectic house and some singing and work!!

Thank you so much barnesys for being nice and welcoming today! Fab to see my Laura though!! :)

Hope Mc x x

Im starting fresh....

Well, Hi. I'm finally all relaxed after a hectic christmas. 13 concerts singing christmas carols over and over again can really take it out of you. haha!

• I'm glad I don't have to hear those horrendous songs for another year!

O come all ye faithful, is only good for the descant four times but after that, it's a boring oh great not this again!


I started Uni in September (wahey!) finally, after taking an eventful gap year of doing nothing, finishing my grade 8 and then working in a college draining me of all my energy teaching music theory, playing in bands and dealing with little gets! Leaving going onto being the narrator in Joseph taking up all my time over the summer holiday.


Oh, I could never go back to living with my parents full time! grr... angry times. is it just me or does my brother actually want to kill me, or he just beats me up for the sake of it?


Well my freshers started off good with some great flat mates, Em and Steph who I love and adore and have a great laugh with, a night of writing on t shirts, getting pretty drunk and walking into my wardrobe to get a little black eye. I met such a good friend that night, Matt, who is one of my best friends and love being with. Tuesday was a social networking thing, where not a lot happened, and met my good friend Jonny. :) Wednesday saw Jonny and I going to Leeds Uni for a nose around their freshers fair collecting a load of rubbish from people and having a laugh on the 50p bus around Leeds. Wednesday night was quiz night and damn it we were so close to winning! came 3rd? I think anyway! Close enough. Thursday was open mic night with loads of people wanting to play and some great music played. Friday was Pirate night! arrrggghhh! what a laugh! with people trying hard with their costumes and those not really arsed it was a good night just getting drunk and meeting more people from uni, including another singer, Laura, a pianist, Polly, and a trumpeter, Rach from the south (eurgh). But Satruday rolled on in and ended up at propaganda with Matt, em and a few other new friends and next door friends who are into the same music having a great night dancing and just generally having a brill night.


Then it started lectures, seminars, and mostly a new singer teacher.


Yay! Lessons with a new teacher, okay, I've only ever had lessons with one teacher before and that was for 2 years. So it was d day, she had me sat on a chair interviewed me on my life and singing then got me lying on the floor breathing and sighing and moaning before I'd even sang a note at her. hmmm I still don't get along with her fully after 3 months, great!


well, uni life isn't amazing without the fantastic people I've met. thank you guys.


I'm getting boring now, so i'll be back soon, Oliver style-y


Hope Mc x