Outside and Inside

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 01 April 2012 21:41:38

Fine, blue skies greeted the Palm Sunday procession, and the donkey, as we gathered outside the Vicarage. We nearly lost one chorister in a huge pothole before we had even crossed the road, but fortunately there were no broken ankles and we only had to sing 'All Glory, Laud and Honour' one and a half times before we reached the church door. Our visiting preacher gave a thought-provoking Holy Week sermon, but the stars of the show were the Vestry Group, telling the story of the tree which was chosen to be used for Jesus' cross. Even the toddlers were found a part to play - they appeared to be born to the stage and were not at all overawed by the occasion. The choir should have held out for double pay today, as they were asked to sing 'Were you there when they crucified my Lord?' at the end of the play, as well as the anthem, the Passion Chorale 'O Sacred Head' (harmonised by Bach).

We all arrived early for Evensong practice, apart from one soprano who was April-fooled by the choirmaster into thinking she didn't need to turn up. (It doesn't take much to cause great chorister hiliarity in our place.) Tonight we sang the Plainsong 'Pange Lingua' - Tenor solo, Men, All. It is much harder to sing together in unison than in four parts as every little mistake is made very obvious. Several members of the congregation were very appreciative - it is especially atmospheric to hear a large number of men singing Plainchant, even if the choirmaster said they wouldn't make very convincing monks!