Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 November 2003 13:38:30
Had a great time at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday - over 500 choristers from the RSCM (from churches all over Devon) held their festival with an afternoon rehearsal and an evening service. There were so many singers there wasn't a lot of room left for the congregation! We were ably conducted by the Director of Music of Southwark Cathedral, who was very softly spoken, but got what was required without too much cajoling. The a capella anthems sounded particularly fine, especially with so many singers of hugely varying standards. It was good to hear the Trebles sing an anthem on their own for a change ('The Journey' by Simon Lole) and to be able to sing a work by a local composer and choirmaster (Nicholas Brown - Hosanna in the Highest): both modern but tuneful, the Nicholas Brown item being rhythmically exciting as well.
Back to our own church and congregation on Sunday, and a new soprano in the choir :) The anthem this week had the same title as the one last week ('Never weather beaten sail') except that this time it was the setting by Wood. And a privilege to hear our own Paula Rennie preach her first sermon, as part of her vocational training course.