Category Archives: singing at services

as long as the sun and moon endureth

These were rather appropriate words in our psalm at evensong in Bath Abbey today. An installation consisting of a large suspended model of the Moon has appeared in Bath Abbey, similar to the one of the Earth that was doing … Continue reading

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Brahms in Doynton

Sadly two supporters of the music at our church died recently and were commemorated with appropriately musical services. Dawn, a gifted pianist who had given up playing professionally when she married, had lived in Doynton and her well-attended memorial service … Continue reading

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a 30th birthday present

The Erleigh Cantors began in 1990, and for their 30th anniversary an anthem was commissioned from Andrew Millington, formerly of Exeter Cathedral. Our October visit to Bristol Cathedral was our first opportunity to perform his setting of My spirit yearns … Continue reading

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a choir which should have existed years ago

Ever since moving here I’ve been frequently asked ‘Do you sing in Bath Abbey?’ And for a long time I not only didn’t, but couldn’t, as there was no Abbey choir containing adult women. But that has changed with the … Continue reading

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Portsmouth pointing: 2

We returned from our dumb day (in our case, a first visit to the Isle of Wight) to the second half of the Portsmouth week. This had delighted the script/diacritical mark nerd in me (I update the choir’s website) as … Continue reading

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Portsmouth pointing: 1

Finally I got to sing my first choral evensong in 18 months. The Cathedral Chamber Choir was in residence at Portsmouth Cathedral (rearranged from Salisbury) for a week, many of us staying in Rees Hall towards Southsea. It’s a very … Continue reading

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encouraging the congregation

As restrictions have been lifted so recently, during August any members of the church choir who are around are free to turn up and sit in the choir seats and encourage the congregation in hymns and service setting. We are … Continue reading

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between the altarpiece and the flower arrangement

My church took the plunge that other churches have been trying for a while now: live singing by a sextet at a service. We have created a rota using those members of the choir who wish to take part and … Continue reading

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I have a tin ear for organ stops

This year’s Lichfield Cathedral Lent Quiz invited competitors to identify stops on the Cathedral organ. I did have a go at a dozen or so of these. Some of the less standard ones I was able to identify but most … Continue reading

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what was salvaged from 2020?

Like most singers, I have lost a large number of opportunities to perform this year. A rough list: four concerts with Bristol Choral Society, three with Gloucester Choral Society, the Erleigh Cantors’ 30th anniversary bash, a day working on Tallis’ … Continue reading

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