Categories: uncategorized
Date: 03 May 2011 16:35:02
Being Low Sunday, there was a low number of choir members, several of our stronger singers taking a well-deserved post-Easter break. Added to which my ears were very blocked, meaning I couldn't hear any of the other parts singing, a very scary experience. Fortunately in the morning we only had to sing 'Bread is blessed and broken' (Iona) and a shortened sung Mass, as it was a Baptism service.
Emboldened by the relative ease of negotiating the morning Eucharist, and given the shortage of singers, I decided to be brave and take part in the Festival Evensong (our contribution to the local Music Festival). This proved to be rather more challenging, with Sweeney responses, Moeran in D canticles, and 'I was glad' (Parry, arranged Trahair). Fortunately, an old friend and experienced organist arrived to help out, thus enabling the whole service to be conducted by our Director of Music. The Parry, particularly, benefited from having a conductor. In addition, one of the organisers of the Music Festival, herself an experienced soprano, joined us to give valued support to the top line. I cannot comment on how well the service went, as I couldn't hear most of it, but I can definitely say that none of it fell apart. We were given some complimentary encouragement by the guest preacher, a former Archdeacon of Canterbury, who hoped we would get the opportunity to sing at our local Cathedral regularly. It might be a while before we get invited to Canterbury, but I guess there's no reason not to aim high.