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Music Matters FROM MICHAEL GREEN
Holy Week and Easter I was very pleased with the turnout and the performance of the choir on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter. For the first time we performed an introit on Palm Sunday before the blessing of the palms.
Some time ago, we changed from processing out to the last hymn to processing out after the dismissal. This is standard practice in the Episcopal and Anglican tradition, and is what I have done in every church I have sung or played the organ in. It means that the choir can concentrate on singing the last hymn and leading the congregation to the best of its ability – few choirs can sing well in procession. I know that some members of the congregation would like to return to our previous practice, but I think it has been generally well received both by the choir and by the congregation. Susan and I are therefore both agreed that it is appropriate to continue our current practice.
Martha Whiteman has decided to leave the choir to concentrate on her prayer ministry. I am very sorry to lose her from the choir. We have welcomed Lisa Campbell and Celine Brown to the adult section of the choir, but this leaves us with only 5 trebles. This is too few to run a viable treble section and I would appreciate it if parents of children could consider their children joining the choir. Treble choir practice is just 45 minutes at 6.30 on Thursdays and children are able to continue in their Sunday School groups and join the choir for the latter part of the service. If we cannot encourage more children to join the choir I will have to stop running separate treble practices. I will review the position following the summer holidays.
We always welcome prospective new choir members. Despite many
appeals we still have no more men and I appeal to any men in the
congregation who can sing (even a little!) to consider joining us. 100th anniversary of consecration We had considered a concert on 31st May to mark the 100th anniversary but too many of the choir are unavailable at that time so regretfully we have dropped the idea. We are now considering a musical event to mark the service on All Saints Day – possibly a performance |