This is an adaptation of an article I wrote for the British Mensa Magazine, so it is very Mensa focused. The advice I have included can be applied to approaching any hobbyist or interest weekend for the first time.
Newbie IRL
For many new-ish Mensans, it’s been an online affair so far. This was certainly the case for me, joining, as I did in June 2021, when lockdown was sort of… nearly… over, but with a strong whiff of uncertainty in the air. I immediately made enquiries about the Mensa Music Weekend (MMW). I was crushed when it was cancelled for 2021 due to continued Covid uncertainty.
Fast forward to 22nd July 2022 and a slightly nervous newbie (me) approached Colyer-Fergusson Hall at the University of Kent for the first session of the Mensa Music Weekend. I have to say I was an unusual delegate. I think I was one of only two day delegates. Certainly, I was the only one not to buy the meal package. Hey, I’m self-employed and you never quite know how the summer is going to go financially.
In the know
Now, for those in the know, the Mensa Music Weekend is a smushy smorgasbord of options which people waft between as the mood takes them. For the newbies, it was all a bit bewildering initially, especially as I could find nobody to talk to for the first 15 minutes or so. One does not like to interrupt tune ups and instrument construction. This not knowing what to do, or who to talk to completely freaked me out, to the point where I nearly left. But after that initial mis-step things improved rapidly.
A couple of people eventually came to say hello and it became clear that those of us who primarily sing were not staying put. I followed a stream of people upstairs. While the others wrestled locked doors and confusing signs about whether practice rooms are in use or not, I fell to chatting with a very sweet, friendly looking bloke with floppy blond hair. This turned out to be the only “normal” in the place, conductor Benedict Collins Rice. The cost of the Mensa weekend includes paying for Benedict and another professional conductor, in this case, Robert Secret, who primarily rehearses the orchestra. I have to say, my track record of paid conductors rehearsing amateur musicians is not great. Often, their egos are bigger than their pay packets deserve, but Benedict and Robert may well fall into the delightful category. I thought I’d done every vocal warm up in the book, but Benedict took us somewhere new and different, which was very enjoyable.
The weekend
I could talk about each rehearsal in depth, the format of the weekend, the running order of the final concert, the standard of the music, all of which are worthy of mention. However, I’m not sure that these are what MMW is about, and its not what stands out in my head. After my initial fumble, which in all honesty made me hopping mad with myself for being so shy (get a grip woman, you’re 48 years old), the aspects that stood out for me were:
- the lack of cliques. Many of these people have been going to MMWs for years, and know each other really well. It would have been easy to talk in short hand and leave us newbies out, but no, none of that.
- The variety of music. Our final concert included everything from Mozart to Mary Lou, Nelly the Elephant and Cohen’s Hallelujah
- Remarkable originality and friendliness. Mensa likes to ‘grow our own’, so it was a pleasure and a privilege to sing a setting of the Lord’s Prayer written by MMW attendee Eric Lewis. What was more remarkable was to witness the orchestra play a piece by David Dreebin which he had written over the course of the weekend. Apparently, this is a regular feature of MMW
- Diversity of age. It is true that Mensa is an aging organisation, but I wasn’t the youngest adult in the room, not by a long shot. For Saturday we were joined by a member of young Mensa in the flute section, I believe she was 12. Not going to mention any names, as I didn’t have the presence of mind to ask permission at the time. However, if you are reading this, young lady, I do hope we see you again soon.
If you had asked me in that first 15 minutes, I would have said ‘never again’. If you had asked me on 24th July, or 25th, or even today, I’d say, rather like a puppy remembering the shiny red ball, ‘when can we play again? Can we play again? Please can we play? When can we play?’
Newbie tips
I do have a few tips for newbies at any weekend though:
- Commit to the whole thing. Scrape together the last few quid if you possibly can and go the whole hog. Stay in the accommodation, eat in the dining room, it’s the quickest and easiest way to get to know people.
- Either don’t expect to sleep much or bring really good earplugs. These things often mean that whatever the activity is carries on way into the wee small hours.
- If the pre-event literature says that contributions are welcome, whether that is suggestions, sheet music, spare costumes, bring whatever you have. What you bring may shape the event.
- Pack your Brave pants. I forgot to factor in that few Mensans are any less socially awkward than me. Indeed, neither are many steampunkers and fountain pen geeks, BUT
All things being equal, most event organisers have the foresight to have a newbie minder, seek them out. If there isn’t a newbie minder, volunteer, and have a wonderful time!
If you’re feeling nervous, contact me for a chat.