Categories: uncategorized
Date: 30 April 2007 18:24:31
Many devious shenanigans have been going on for the last few weeks to prepare for the choirmaster's half-century. Thus, after singing 'Happy Birthday' to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus, we dragged him, kicking and screaming, off to the pub for unlimited booze and party cake. Oh, and a few presents - more booze and some choir books.
The silly book
The serious book
But it was no rest for the wicked, because on the day after his real birthday, there was to be no lie-in to recover - the choirmaster's presence was demanded at morning service, to receive more presents: a close-harmony version of 'Happy Birthday' composed by the vicar and a giant 50 helium balloon (plus, inexplicably, more booze). We then expected him to play 'Toccata' by Dubois note-perfectly, without even the slightest hiccup or slurred chord. The choir tried hard to match his impeccable playing in the singing of the anthem 'The Lord is my Shepherd' to Goodall, ie. the 'Vicar of Dibley' setting.
It was a test of endurance for us all in the hot afternoon sun, as we sang for the Lord Mayor's Civic service in the town square. Fortunately, we only needed to sing two hymns - the rest of the music programme was provided by an unaccompanied community choir, wearing very impressive dyed tunics. Our wardrobe mistress will have to work hard with her needle to compete with them. The choirs' stoicism paid off as we were amply rewarded by a cream tea with lashings of clotted cream - whole herds of cows in Creamtealand must have been drafted in merely to supply our needs.