Bedford March 2008, 27 - 30 March TOP
Sheila Whitta writes as follows:
[Click the pictures to enlarge]OUCC members met up at The Swan Hotel, pleasantly situated by the riverside in Bedford, on the evening of Thursday 27th March. The hard work started in earnest on the Friday morning when we began our rehearsals in the church of St Peter's, where we sang Evensong on the Saturday evening. Sunday’s rehearsals, Eucharist and Evensong were in the nearby church of St Paul's.
Although the weather was, for the most part, cool and showery (which didn’t allow for a group photograph), the choir appreciated the proximity of the two churches, both within easy walking (or in Joy’s case, scooter-driving) distance, the excellent accommodation and meals at The Swan Hotel and even the challenge of some of the music! To mark the occasion of the sixtieth wedding anniversary of two members of the St Paul’s congregation, we were asked to add the Rutter anthem, “The Lord bless you and keep you” (earmarked for Evensong) to a special blessing at the Sunday Eucharist service. Unfortunately for us, the organ at St. Paul’s was being refurbished that week, which meant that we had to be content with piano accompaniment. Nevertheless, an enjoyable weekend was had by all – we even managed a few games of ‘Take Two’, despite the fact that most of the regular players had forgotten their Scrabble tiles!
The Music at Bedford
Responses: Ayleward
Canticles: Stanford in C and Kelly in C (a real challenge!)
Mass Setting: Oldroyd's "Mass of the Quiet Hour"
Anthems and Introits: "Come ye faithful" by Thatcher, Lloyd's "View me Lord", Rutter's "Christ the Lord is risen today" and "The Lord bless you and keep you". Also an introit newly composed by David Knight - "Ave Maria".
Derby Cathedral 14th - 17th August 2008 Back to Bedford
Derby Cathedral was the venue for our summer residential weekend this year, with the majority of the choir accommodated at the conveniently-situated (especially for train travellers) and well-appointed Midland Hotel, where we were very comfortable and very well fed.
A short bus or taxi ride or, for the more energetic, twenty-minute brisk walk through the city centre (wonderful shopping precinct!) brought us to the Cathedral, a former large parish church with rectangular nave and more recently added retro choir, which gained cathedral status in 1927.
Much of Friday was spent rehearsing but we gained a little extra free time on Saturday, when an afternoon wedding necessitated the postponement of our rehearsal. Choristers took the opportunity to explore the shops, museums, riverside walk and the Silk Mill or even to watch the Olympics on the big screen in the Market Place.
We sang two Evensongs (Saturday and Sunday) and the Sunday morning Eucharist, when, as well as mastering our Mozart Missa Brevis, we had also to grapple with the logistical difficulties of relocating from the nave to the retro choir during the service, and later back again, singing hymns at the same time, whilst long-suffering organist, Richard King, had to dart back and forth between two organ consoles, (When in the nave, he was divided from us by an ornate wrought-iron screen, making his sight-line difficult). Coffee after the service was much appreciated and we were made to feel very welcome by both congregational members and Cathedral staff, who were most helpful.
A group photograph (the largest visiting choir to sing in Derby Cathedral) was taken before Sunday’s Evensong, showing off our new choir robes, worn for the first time this weekend (borrowed OU gowns being no longer available to us). At this service, our anthem, Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, was enhanced by violin accompaniment from Richard’s daughter, Esther.
Members enjoyed the weekend, both for the musical experience and the renewing of old acquaintanceships. Our two new choristers expressed interest in coming again, so we can’t have put them off too much! We thank Musical Director, David Knight, for all his hard work and patience.
Trying on our new robes Rehearsing in the retro choir The Music list for Derby was as follows:
SATURDAY Evensong
Responses: Smith 4-part
Psalm 68
Canticles: Stanford in Bb
Anthem: Rutter – “Look at the world”
Hymn: Let all the worldSUNDAY Eucharist
Mozart “Missa Brevis”
Anthems: Mozart – Ave Verum & Mozart – God is our refuge
Hymns:
Thou whose almighty word
God of mercy, God of grace
All hail the power
Just as I am
Jesus shall reignSUNDAY Evensong
Responses Byrd
Psalm 19
Canticles: Harwood in Ab
Anthem: Faure – Cantique de Jean Racine
Hymns:
Be thou my vision
God of grace and God of glory
Alleluia, sing to Jesus
