Below are a few videos I've found on YouTube which feature some of the music we'll be doing at Choral Evensong in St Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Aberdeen on Saturday 18th June 2011. They may be useful if some choir members haven't sung the pieces before. The quality of the singing is a bit varied (although the magnificent Westminster Abbey Choir does feature), but it gives an idea of the notes!
Ayleward Preces, sung by the Trinity Singers of Westbury on Trym Parish Church, Bristol
Ayleward Responses (which for some unknown reason omits the first two Amens), sung by the Trinity Singers of Westbury on Trym Parish Church, Bristol
Harwood in A flat Nunc Dimittis (I couldn't find the Magnificat) sung by St Andrew's Schola Cantorum of Pittsburgh USA
Stainer - I saw the Lord, sung by Westminster Abbey Choir
I bind unto myself today (tune: St Patrick's Breastplate) sung by the choir of Keble College, Oxford
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Fit like?
The music list has been announced today, and it will consist of:
- Introit: God the Holy Trinity (David Halls)
- Responses: Richard Ayleward
- Psalm 147
- Office Hymn: Bright the vision that delighted (tune: Redhead No 46)
- Canticles: Basil Harwood in A flat
- Anthem: I saw the Lord (Sir John Stainer)
- Final Hymn: I bind unto myself today (tune: St Patrick's Breastplate)
The congregation here is much older than the present church building. Its roots go back to the time when Episcopalians were forced out of the parish churches of the city after the deposition of James VII (James II of England). Early records are lost, but it is known that the congregation existed in 1716 when Andrew Jaffrey, formerly parish minister of Alford, became minister of this congregation. A number of meeting houses were used before John Skinner built his house in Long Acre in 1776, the upper room of which was used as a chapel.
It was in Aberdeen on 14 November 1784 that Samuel Seabury of Connecticut was consecrated Bishop for America, the first Bishop outside the British isles of what we now call the Anglican Communion. A plaque in the Quadrangle of Marischal College commemorates this notable event.
Seabury's consecration by Bishop Kilgour of Aberdeen, Bishop Petrie of Moray and John Skinner, who was Rector of this congregation and Co-adjutor Bishop of Aberdeen, forced the established Church of England and Parliament to legislate; making it possible for bishops to be created for the Colonies. Had this not happened, the Anglican communion might be very different from what it is today.
It was in Aberdeen on 14 November 1784 that Samuel Seabury of Connecticut was consecrated Bishop for America, the first Bishop outside the British isles of what we now call the Anglican Communion. A plaque in the Quadrangle of Marischal College commemorates this notable event.
Seabury's consecration by Bishop Kilgour of Aberdeen, Bishop Petrie of Moray and John Skinner, who was Rector of this congregation and Co-adjutor Bishop of Aberdeen, forced the established Church of England and Parliament to legislate; making it possible for bishops to be created for the Colonies. Had this not happened, the Anglican communion might be very different from what it is today.
RSCM Scottish Voices will be paying its first, but doubtless not its last visit to Aberdeen, and we're proud to be a small part of the ongoing tradition of worship in this fine building. That said, with one former member of the cathedral choir and one current member of the Cathedral Voices choir singing with us, we aren't exactly complete strangers to the city or cathedral, but we're all very much looking forward to being there in a few weeks.
Friday, 20 May 2011
Devotional service of music and readings for Eastertide
At 4pm in St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington, a Devotional Sequence of Music and Readings for Easter-tide will be performed by RSCM Scottish Voices.
Following the service all are invited to join us for a refreshment at a local pub, probably the Tyneside Tavern just along the road.
Following the service all are invited to join us for a refreshment at a local pub, probably the Tyneside Tavern just along the road.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Easter Sequence
- Gaudete Omnes – Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
- O God thou art my God - Henry Purcell
- Surgens Jesus - Peter Philips
- Morning Glory, starlit sky - Barry Rose
- O Sons and Daughters Let us Sing – Henry Walford Davies
- Hymn: This Joyful Eastertide – Charles Wood
- Hymn: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem [tune: St Fulbert]
- Psalm: The Easter Anthems
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Gotcha! Or did we?
Yes, you're absolutely right, yesterday's post was an April Fool joke, we admit it. Were you fooled?
It'd be a boring old world without laughter and RSCM Scottish Voices, while a serious (and seriously good) choir, is a group made up of people who are full of laughter and fun while making music, and that's how it should be. Laughter is a wonderful thing, as the words from Genesis 21:6 suggest: ."....... God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."
That said, while clearly we meant no disrespect whatsoever, sincere apologies if anyone saw yesterday's post in anything other than the spirit in which it was meant.
So, we have no sponsorship deal with Tennents or anyone else, but it is true however that we'd be exceedingly pleased to talk about sensible options for such a deal if anyone with a bit of cash to spare or the clout within a company to help us out is reading this. We won't put any logos on choir robes, no matter how good the offer, but other options are available for discussion!
Please contact us via the administrator's email address listed in the sidebar.
It'd be a boring old world without laughter and RSCM Scottish Voices, while a serious (and seriously good) choir, is a group made up of people who are full of laughter and fun while making music, and that's how it should be. Laughter is a wonderful thing, as the words from Genesis 21:6 suggest: ."....... God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."
That said, while clearly we meant no disrespect whatsoever, sincere apologies if anyone saw yesterday's post in anything other than the spirit in which it was meant.
So, we have no sponsorship deal with Tennents or anyone else, but it is true however that we'd be exceedingly pleased to talk about sensible options for such a deal if anyone with a bit of cash to spare or the clout within a company to help us out is reading this. We won't put any logos on choir robes, no matter how good the offer, but other options are available for discussion!
Please contact us via the administrator's email address listed in the sidebar.
Friday, 1 April 2011
New Sponsorship deal for RSCM Scottish Voices
RSCM Scottish Voices is still a relatively new choir, and as a self funded venture it's sometimes hard to rein back the wonderful plans for the future to match our disposable income. Ideas include our own robes, tours of English Cathedrals, recordings, and lots of other stuff.
We haven't mentioned this previously in case it came to nothing, but over the past few months a lot of hard work and negotiation has been going on behind the scenes by Gordon and me to try to secure sponsorship to help us achieve some of these goals, and I’m pleased to say that only today, the start of April 2011, we’ve finalised a deal with a Glasgow based company who have an international reputation and who are happy to lay out their hard cash simply because we've convinced them that the reputation of RSCM Scottish Voices has become such that their sponsorship money will pay them dividends by getting their name and brand linked to our name and brand which their marketing department are now convinced will unlock a whole new marketplace for them, with the ultimate aim of their leading brand product replacing sweet sherry as the after-service refreshment of choice in refined churches across the land.
Inevitably when a commercial company is willing to provide annually a significant sum of tax free money to be spent by us on whatever we want, then we have to play ball with them to a certain extent, so while the sponsorship deal is in place, and it’s initially for a 3 year period, we will be known as RSCM Tennents Scottish Voices, and a new logo will be used to reflect the harmony between us and their world renowned product.
Below is the new logo, and under that is a mock up of how it is proposed that it will be displayed during the period of the sponsorship deal, when we have the robes which this money will allow us to purchase.
I think you'll agree it's striking, and I welcome any feedback or comments.
We haven't mentioned this previously in case it came to nothing, but over the past few months a lot of hard work and negotiation has been going on behind the scenes by Gordon and me to try to secure sponsorship to help us achieve some of these goals, and I’m pleased to say that only today, the start of April 2011, we’ve finalised a deal with a Glasgow based company who have an international reputation and who are happy to lay out their hard cash simply because we've convinced them that the reputation of RSCM Scottish Voices has become such that their sponsorship money will pay them dividends by getting their name and brand linked to our name and brand which their marketing department are now convinced will unlock a whole new marketplace for them, with the ultimate aim of their leading brand product replacing sweet sherry as the after-service refreshment of choice in refined churches across the land.
Inevitably when a commercial company is willing to provide annually a significant sum of tax free money to be spent by us on whatever we want, then we have to play ball with them to a certain extent, so while the sponsorship deal is in place, and it’s initially for a 3 year period, we will be known as RSCM Tennents Scottish Voices, and a new logo will be used to reflect the harmony between us and their world renowned product.
Below is the new logo, and under that is a mock up of how it is proposed that it will be displayed during the period of the sponsorship deal, when we have the robes which this money will allow us to purchase.
I think you'll agree it's striking, and I welcome any feedback or comments.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Dunblane (short) report
The service of Evening Prayer at Dunblane Cathedral on Saturday 5th March went very well, and the whole day, directed by Richard Walmsley and accompanied by Matthew Beetschen, was enjoyable not only musically but socially too, as we went to the Tappit Hen pub across from the Cathedral afterwards.
Our next meeting is on Saturday 21st May in the lovely setting of St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington, just east of Edinburgh, and the service will be at 4pm. Type of service, music lists etc will be posted in due course.
Now, having sung at Dunblane, banked money, updated spreadsheets, reconciled finance, sent out emails relating to found music copies and missing name badges, written articles for the RSCM publication CMQ and the forthcoming RSCM Scotland Newsletter and the magazine Different Voices, completed Event Registration Forms for our August and September meetings, and finally updated this website, I'm ready to not look at ANY RSCM Scottish Voices stuff for a week or two! Except I need to try to get the music list notified for Haddington and I need to start thinking about the arrangements for our residential rehearsal weekend in August, not least who and how many will be there and therefore how much it'll cost each of us. Oh well, I might get a couple of days away from it!
Our next meeting is on Saturday 21st May in the lovely setting of St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington, just east of Edinburgh, and the service will be at 4pm. Type of service, music lists etc will be posted in due course.
Now, having sung at Dunblane, banked money, updated spreadsheets, reconciled finance, sent out emails relating to found music copies and missing name badges, written articles for the RSCM publication CMQ and the forthcoming RSCM Scotland Newsletter and the magazine Different Voices, completed Event Registration Forms for our August and September meetings, and finally updated this website, I'm ready to not look at ANY RSCM Scottish Voices stuff for a week or two! Except I need to try to get the music list notified for Haddington and I need to start thinking about the arrangements for our residential rehearsal weekend in August, not least who and how many will be there and therefore how much it'll cost each of us. Oh well, I might get a couple of days away from it!
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Service at Dunblane Cathedral
The music will be:
We wait for Thy Loving kindness (William McKie)
Magnificat in e minor (Daniel Purcell)
Praise our Lord, all ye gentiles (William Byrd)
Gaudete Omnes (Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck)
Due to the unavailability of our Musical Director Frikki Walker who is in Sheffield conducting one of his other choirs in the semi final of the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition, for this service RSCM Scottish Voices will be directed by Richard Walmsley (Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Ninian's Episcopal Cathedral in Perth) and accompanied on the organ by Matthew Beetschen (Musical Director and Organist of Dunblane Cathedral, and Chair of RSCM Scotland).
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Voices united for Christchurch
Last night's benefit concert for Christchurch went fantastically well, and raised £4155 which will go via the Red Cross to help those most in need after the earthquake.
Representatives of nine different choirs took part, under the inspirational leadership of Michael Bawtree, Glasgow Chamber Choir, RSCM Scottish Voices, St Mary's Cathedral (Glasgow), St Mary's Cathedral (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Singers, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).
A reporter from BBC Radio Scotland was there to record much of what was happening and he interviewed a few people, albeit he got the first name of the Kiwi soloist wrong by calling her Jane Elder instead of Ruth Elder! You can hear a recording of the BBC news article, including some interviews and a bit of the choir singing as well as the two Kiwi soloists by clicking here.
The full programme was:
Choir
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
Rachel Hynes (soprano)
Ruth Elder (soprano)
Rachel Hynes (soprano) and Karen Cargill (mezzo soprano)
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
Choir & soloists
Brynne Mcleod (mezzo soprano)
Nick Morris (baritone)
David Sloan (violoncello)
Geoff Woolatt (organ)
Choir and audience, first verse sung in Maori by choir
Representatives of nine different choirs took part, under the inspirational leadership of Michael Bawtree, Glasgow Chamber Choir, RSCM Scottish Voices, St Mary's Cathedral (Glasgow), St Mary's Cathedral (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Singers, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).
A reporter from BBC Radio Scotland was there to record much of what was happening and he interviewed a few people, albeit he got the first name of the Kiwi soloist wrong by calling her Jane Elder instead of Ruth Elder! You can hear a recording of the BBC news article, including some interviews and a bit of the choir singing as well as the two Kiwi soloists by clicking here.
The full programme was:
Choir
- Locus Iste - Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
- Comfort ye my people - George Frederic Handel (1685-1759)
Every valley shall be exalted - George Frederic Handel (1685-1759)
Rachel Hynes (soprano)
- The Lord's Prayer - Albert Hay Malotte (1895-1964)
Ruth Elder (soprano)
- Pokarekare Ana - Trad. Maori folksong
Rachel Hynes (soprano) and Karen Cargill (mezzo soprano)
- Letter Duet from The Marriage of Figaro - W A Mozart (1756-1791)
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
- The Choirmaster's Funeral (Thomas Hardy) - Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Choir & soloists
Brynne Mcleod (mezzo soprano)
Nick Morris (baritone)
David Sloan (violoncello)
Geoff Woolatt (organ)
- Requiem (Op. 9) - Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Choir and audience, first verse sung in Maori by choir
- God defend New Zealand (National Anthem)
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Benefit Concert for Christchurch, New Zealand
Brynne McLeod - mezzo soprano
Nick Morris - baritone
David Sloane - cello
Geoff Woollatt - organ
Michael Bawtree - conductor
The concert will take place in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, 300 Great Western Road, Glasgow, which is an almost exact twin of the cathedral which has been damaged in Christchurch. The two buildings were built at the same time to a design by the same architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott.
As well as Requiem by Maurice Duruflé the concert will also feature tenor Stephen Chambers and Soprano Ruth Elder, New Zealanders based in Glasgow. They will perform music by HANDEL, BRITTEN and traditional New Zealand folk songs. Soprano Rachel Hynes will also perform.
Choristers from RSCM Scottish Voices, Glasgow Chamber Choir, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir, the RSAMD, St Mary’s Cathedral Choir (Glasgow), St Mary's Cathedral Choir (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Singers, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, and Edinburgh Royal Choral Union will join together at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow’s West End. Two New Zealanders currently studying at the RSAMD will also perform at the concert.
Cathedral Provost The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said: “People in Scotland have all kinds of strong links with people in New Zealand. This concert is an act of solidarity with the people of Christchurch. Christchurch Cathedral is like a 'twin' of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, having been built by the same architect at almost exactly the same time. As we look around the building in Glasgow, our hearts go out to those who are struggling to cope in a damaged city half a world away.”
Organiser Michael Bawtree added: “Scotland has very strong links with New Zealand. Many of us who will perform have friends and family living and working in Christchurch; many have visited, lived, performed and worked in New Zealand; others are simply keen to show that support by giving of their time and talent.”
Stephen Chambers, an RSAMD Opera student from New Zealand who will perform at the concert, said: "My Dad (Dr. John Chambers) was in Christchurch on a Medical conference when the Earthquake hit. He managed to escape unscathed from the fourteenth floor of his hotel, which looked as though it was about to collapse. Like so many Kiwis around the world, I feel helpless. I hope that in putting on this concert we can get some money together to aid those hardest hit in the beautiful country that I call home."
Funds raised at this benefit concert will be passed through official channels to those most in need.
For those who are into such things there is an associated Facebook Event but the important thing is to come along to the concert and donate whatever you can afford.
Please consider supporting this worthy cause, and if you can't make it along to the concert you can give online to the Red Cross New Zealand Earthquake appeal by following this link.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Dunblane music list
The next service in which you can hear RSCM Scottish Voices sing is on Saturday 5th March 2011 at 4pm when we will be taking part in Evening Prayer in the wonderful surroundings of Dunblane Cathedral which dates back in parts to the 13th century.
The music list, hot off the press, is:
We wait for Thy Loving kindness (William McKie)
Magnificat in e minor (Daniel Purcell)
Praise our Lord, all ye gentiles (William Byrd)
Gaudete Omnes (Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck)
Due to the unavailability of our Musical Director Frikki Walker who will be in Sheffield that weekend conducting one of his other choirs in the semi final of the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition, for this service RSCM Scottish Voices will be directed by Richard Walmsley (Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Ninian's Episcopal Cathedral in Perth) and accompanied on the organ by Matthew Beetschen (Musical Director and Organist of Dunblane Cathedral, and Chair of RSCM Scotland).
The music list, hot off the press, is:
We wait for Thy Loving kindness (William McKie)
Magnificat in e minor (Daniel Purcell)
Praise our Lord, all ye gentiles (William Byrd)
Gaudete Omnes (Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck)
Due to the unavailability of our Musical Director Frikki Walker who will be in Sheffield that weekend conducting one of his other choirs in the semi final of the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition, for this service RSCM Scottish Voices will be directed by Richard Walmsley (Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Ninian's Episcopal Cathedral in Perth) and accompanied on the organ by Matthew Beetschen (Musical Director and Organist of Dunblane Cathedral, and Chair of RSCM Scotland).
Monday, 24 January 2011
Paisley report
On Saturday RSCM Scottish Voices visited Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley (TCM) where at their request we sang Choral Evensong and were made to feel very welcome indeed by their organist Matthew Edwards and various members of the church who kindly provided us with tea and biscuits whenever we stopped singing for more than a couple of minutes.
A very heartfelt thanks from all in the choir for the excellent hospitality, and it was good to see between 30-40 people in the congregation on such a cold foggy evening!
The setting of TCM is spectacular, and I commend the Blog post of Pencefn, one of our own choir members, who describes the building and a bit of its history.
Musically it felt good, and according to Frikki Walker, our Musical Director, every time we meet we continue to get a little bit better, so the future still looks bright.
After the service a fairly big crowd of choir and friends managed to squeeze into one of the snugs at the rear of The Bull Inn, the oldest pub in Paisley, where we enjoyed good Real Ale and tasty food, and socialised for several hours.
All in all another good day, and a good start to 2011.
Our next service is on Saturday 5th March 2011 at 4pm in Dunblane Cathedral. Full details of the music will appear here in due course, so watch this space.
A very heartfelt thanks from all in the choir for the excellent hospitality, and it was good to see between 30-40 people in the congregation on such a cold foggy evening!
The setting of TCM is spectacular, and I commend the Blog post of Pencefn, one of our own choir members, who describes the building and a bit of its history.
Musically it felt good, and according to Frikki Walker, our Musical Director, every time we meet we continue to get a little bit better, so the future still looks bright.
After the service a fairly big crowd of choir and friends managed to squeeze into one of the snugs at the rear of The Bull Inn, the oldest pub in Paisley, where we enjoyed good Real Ale and tasty food, and socialised for several hours.
All in all another good day, and a good start to 2011.
Our next service is on Saturday 5th March 2011 at 4pm in Dunblane Cathedral. Full details of the music will appear here in due course, so watch this space.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Vist to Dunfermline postponed and transferred to Paisley
Due to problems caused by the terrible weather in December, Dunfermline Abbey have had fire and flood (literally!) so we've taken the prudent decision to postpone our visit there and reschedule it some time in the (hopefully not too distant) future.
Instead, our next service will be on that day, Saturday 22nd January 2011, at Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley, where at 4pm we shall be singing the Choral Evensong we should have sung there last month, except that service was also cancelled because of the poor weather and the church heating breaking down!
The music list for Paisley is:
Instead, our next service will be on that day, Saturday 22nd January 2011, at Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley, where at 4pm we shall be singing the Choral Evensong we should have sung there last month, except that service was also cancelled because of the poor weather and the church heating breaking down!
The music list for Paisley is:
- Introit: Let all mortal flesh keep silence - Sir Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)
- Responses: John Bertalot (b.1931)
- Canticles: Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in B flat - Sir John Stainer (1840-1901)
- Anthem: And I saw a new heaven -Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)
- Vesper: In Pace - William Blitheman (c1525-1591)
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Happy New Year
Happy New Year to all involved in RSCM Scottish Voices, whether singers, conductors or organists, 2011 is going to be another great year for us as we continue to develop musically and socially!
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Dunfermline Abbey Music List, January 2011
On Saturday 22nd January 2011 at 4pm RSCM Scottish Voices will be singing Choral Evensong at the beautiful and historic Dunfermline Abbey in Fife. The music at this service will be as listed below, and I've also pasted some YouTube videos for your delectation.
- Introit: We wait for thy loving kindness – Willam McKie
- Responses: Bernard Rose
- Canticles: Herbert Sumsion in G
- Anthem: Praise Our Lord, all ye gentiles – William Byrd
The Introit, We wait for Thy loving kindness, by William McKie, is below, as sung by the choir of Westminster Abbey
Unfortunately I couldn't find a video with the full Bernard Rose Preces and Responses, but below is the second part (the Responses part).
The anthem, Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles, by William Byrd, is below. I've posted this one previously, and mentioned at the time that it's quite an apt one because it was recorded (albeit not by the Cathedral choir) in the very beautiful Wells Cathedral where our own Musical Director Frikki Walker was a Vicar Choral in the choir for a few years
I couldn't find the Sumsion in G Canticles.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Cancelled Paisley visit
Visit to Paisley Cancelled
A combination of concerns of the safety of anyone travelling to Paisley through the foul snowy weather afflicting the whole of the UK right now, uncertainty over who will actually be able to make it to the church on the day, and now the news this evening that the heating for both the church and hall has broken down and there is no guarantee that it'll be fixed by Saturday, has led to me taking the decision to cancel the visit by RSCM Scottish Voices to Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, where we were due to sing Choral Evensong at 4pm on Saturday 4th December 2010.
We WILL visit the church, it's a fine building and a magnificent organ, but it's now back on the to-do list for the future, so watch this space.
The next time you can hear RSCM Scottish Voices sing is on Saturday 22nd January 2011 in the beautiful and historic Dunfermline Abbey, where we shall be singing Choral Evensong at 4pm.
A combination of concerns of the safety of anyone travelling to Paisley through the foul snowy weather afflicting the whole of the UK right now, uncertainty over who will actually be able to make it to the church on the day, and now the news this evening that the heating for both the church and hall has broken down and there is no guarantee that it'll be fixed by Saturday, has led to me taking the decision to cancel the visit by RSCM Scottish Voices to Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, where we were due to sing Choral Evensong at 4pm on Saturday 4th December 2010.
We WILL visit the church, it's a fine building and a magnificent organ, but it's now back on the to-do list for the future, so watch this space.
The next time you can hear RSCM Scottish Voices sing is on Saturday 22nd January 2011 in the beautiful and historic Dunfermline Abbey, where we shall be singing Choral Evensong at 4pm.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
The Baptist Cathedral of Europe
Update 01/12/2010 - This service has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions and the breakdown of the heating in the church
The next meeting of RSCM Scottish Voices, the last of 2010, will be at 4pm on Saturday 4th December in
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BA
As a non-denominational choir, as indeed is the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) a non-denominational Christian organisation, we aim to take part in services relevant to the denomination of the church, cathedral or abbey we're visiting, but on this occasion although it's a Baptist Church we have been asked specifically to sing Choral Evensong, so that's what we're doing, and the music list is:
- Introit: Let all mortal flesh keep silence - Sir Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)
- Responses: John Bertalot (b.1931)
- Canticles: Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in B flat - Sir John Stainer (1840-1901)
- Anthem: And I saw a new heaven -Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)
- Vesper: In Pace - William Blitheman (c1525-1591)
- Final Voluntary: Postlude in D minor - Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
Big Victorian Church + Big Victorian Music = Fun for all the family!
Sunday, 24 October 2010
2011 season is announced
The 2011 season for RSCM Scottish Voices has now been finalised, and it's going to be a cracking year!
We kick off on Saturday January 22nd with a visit to the historic Dunfermline Abbey. The photo below is by Paul McIlroy
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| Dunfermline Abbey |
On Saturday 5th March we pay a welcome return visit to Dunblane Cathedral. The photo of Dunblane Cathedral is by Kevin Rae.
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| Dunblane Cathedral |
After our last visit in January 2009 which was slightly marred by appalling blizzard conditions causing numerous choristers not to make it, on Saturday 21st May we return to St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington where although we hope to get better weather we couldn't hope for a better welcome than we received last time. The photo of St Mary's Church is by kind permission of RSCM Scottish Voices choir member gordonrasmith.
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| St Mary's Haddington |
Coinciding with a planned weekend of events in the city held by RSCM Scotland, on Saturday 18th June the choir will be visiting Aberdeen for the first time, singing Choral Evensong in St Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral at 4pm. The image below is from their own Website.
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| St Andrews Cathedral, Aberdeen |
From Friday 5th to Sunday 7th August our 2011 residential rehearsal weekend will again be in the delightful surroundings of Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perthshire.
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| Strathallan School |
On Saturday 17th September St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow will be where we sing Choral Evensong at 4pm. The photo of St Mary's Cathedral is by Finlay McWalter.
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| St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow |
To round off the year, on Saturday 5th November the choir will be back in Glasgow, this time in the glorious St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Rose St, where we will be singing in their 5.45pm Mass. This will be the first time RSCM Scottish Voices has taken part in a Roman Catholic service, but it certainly won't be the last. The photo of St Aloysius, which shows the stunning interior, is by Stephen Lipton, who happens to be a singer who has conducted his own group, Scottish Chorale, in St Aloysius a few years ago.
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| St Aloysius |
Individual posts containing the music list and finalised times and directions will be made here nearer each service, and of course the RSCM Scotland site will also have details.
Monday, 4 October 2010
Review of Forfar Choral Evensong
After our recent Choral Evensong, the following article appeared in the magazine of St John's Episcopal Church, Forfar, and is reproduced here by kind permission:
Music at St. Johns
Royal School of Church Music Scottish Voices - Choral Evensong
We have been extremely privileged this year musically, in that St. Johns has hosted two very special occasions. The first was in April when the Tayside Organists held their President’s evening here, and a magnificent evening that was. Readers may remember that it was described in professional detail by Robert Lightband, who captured the beauty and skill of the performances wonderfully. The second was on September 11th, the Choral Evensong above. This article will inevitably be much less knowledgeable, more broadbrush than his, but hopefully may convey the impression of three quarters of an hour of pure loveliness, an experience shared by about 40 lucky listeners.
As a member of St. Johns, it is a great pleasure to see the chancel packed with singers, all very colourful in their different choir robes, and to hear the very good acoustics of the church used to maximum effect. There was a wonderful purity to the sound, which at times seemed to soar right into the roof space, but was never overpowering. We know we have a very special organ, and it was played beautifully by Rupert Jeffcoat. As a member of St. Johns, also, I felt very proud to welcome the singers here, as the church was looking so good. We know too that we have a lovely building, but when our eyes our being drawn all the time to the chancel, the brilliance of the brass on the cross was breath-taking.
The music was mainly modern, though the versicles and responses were by William Byrd, sixteenth century, and the final voluntary a Prelude and Fugue by Bach, neither of whom could hardly be described as modern! But there was a timelessness about the whole service, an evensong one could simply lose oneself in. The introit was an apparently very simple piece by John Bell, with very direct words; the psalm, a beautiful, slightly haunting chant, so clearly sung, then the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, an adaptation fauxbourdon by John Bertalot, written post Second World War – it had a lovely Gregorian chant effect; and the anthem, the biggest, most complex piece was by John Ireland. They were, of course, all different, but the effect was of seamlessness – the service a complete whole.
Evensong, by its nature, talks of peace and quietness. The day was specially poignant in this respect - September 11th - mentioned in the intercessions by Richard Finch, standing in for Andy. Most pertinent of all, perhaps, was the final Vesper – a truly lovely setting of The Prayer of St. Francis, by Frikki Walker, the musical director. The following day a member of the congregation described the service as ‘though the angels of heaven had come and filled the church with music’. This may be a slightly flowery way of putting of it, but I suspect all of us there were thinking very much the same thing. She just put it into words. Please come again, Scottish Voices, and we’ll try to make sure that next time many more people will come to share this very special experience.
Music at St. Johns
Royal School of Church Music Scottish Voices - Choral Evensong
We have been extremely privileged this year musically, in that St. Johns has hosted two very special occasions. The first was in April when the Tayside Organists held their President’s evening here, and a magnificent evening that was. Readers may remember that it was described in professional detail by Robert Lightband, who captured the beauty and skill of the performances wonderfully. The second was on September 11th, the Choral Evensong above. This article will inevitably be much less knowledgeable, more broadbrush than his, but hopefully may convey the impression of three quarters of an hour of pure loveliness, an experience shared by about 40 lucky listeners.
As a member of St. Johns, it is a great pleasure to see the chancel packed with singers, all very colourful in their different choir robes, and to hear the very good acoustics of the church used to maximum effect. There was a wonderful purity to the sound, which at times seemed to soar right into the roof space, but was never overpowering. We know we have a very special organ, and it was played beautifully by Rupert Jeffcoat. As a member of St. Johns, also, I felt very proud to welcome the singers here, as the church was looking so good. We know too that we have a lovely building, but when our eyes our being drawn all the time to the chancel, the brilliance of the brass on the cross was breath-taking.
The music was mainly modern, though the versicles and responses were by William Byrd, sixteenth century, and the final voluntary a Prelude and Fugue by Bach, neither of whom could hardly be described as modern! But there was a timelessness about the whole service, an evensong one could simply lose oneself in. The introit was an apparently very simple piece by John Bell, with very direct words; the psalm, a beautiful, slightly haunting chant, so clearly sung, then the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, an adaptation fauxbourdon by John Bertalot, written post Second World War – it had a lovely Gregorian chant effect; and the anthem, the biggest, most complex piece was by John Ireland. They were, of course, all different, but the effect was of seamlessness – the service a complete whole.
Evensong, by its nature, talks of peace and quietness. The day was specially poignant in this respect - September 11th - mentioned in the intercessions by Richard Finch, standing in for Andy. Most pertinent of all, perhaps, was the final Vesper – a truly lovely setting of The Prayer of St. Francis, by Frikki Walker, the musical director. The following day a member of the congregation described the service as ‘though the angels of heaven had come and filled the church with music’. This may be a slightly flowery way of putting of it, but I suspect all of us there were thinking very much the same thing. She just put it into words. Please come again, Scottish Voices, and we’ll try to make sure that next time many more people will come to share this very special experience.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Forfar
Our most recent meeting was a very successful one at St John's Episcopal Church in Forfar on 11th September. That date resonates round the world in its better known format of 9/11, so music was specially chosen by Frikki to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the events of 2001.
Unfortunately at very short notice Richard Walmsley had to pull out of the service, but luckily we were joined by Revd Rupert Jeffcoat, whose stunning playing left me grinning widely on more than one occasion! I have no doubt that Rupert will be joining us again.
A family commitment, well, committal if the truth be told, meant I couldn't be there for the morning rehearsal so I wasn't able to sing in the service, however this meant that for the first time I was able to hear what RSCM Scottish Voices actually sounds like from a congregational perspective. And not only was I not disappointed, I was very very impressed!
For some time now both Frikki and Richard have been saying how pleased they both are with the way the choir has developed in the fairly short time since we started, and while in response I've been nodding my head and agreeing, secretly I've been thinking "what are they talking about, it's OK but it's not as brilliant as you guys are making out". Well I now realise that they have had the benefit of not being in the midst of all the singers so have been able to hear the overall sound. And they have been right all along! OK, this is the choir site, and I am the choir administrator, so it's forgiveable if I try to talk up our capabilities on this forum. But I don't need to talk them up. RSCM Scottish Voices is actually a very good choir, particularly given the short time it's been in existence, and the paltry 13 times we've met each other to sing together.
Not only that, but the introit actually moved me to tears. It's no secret that I'm not a big fan of John L Bell's musical style, but his anthem There is a place, written to commemorate the victims of the Dunblane massacre of 1996 when gunman Thomas Hamilton murdered sixteen children and a teacher, just hit the spot. OK, again emotionally I was in a strange place, having been scattering the ashes of a close and much loved family member that morning, but the choir sang beautifully and very movingly.
And inevitably, following the service a large crowd of us wandered a short way to the Queens Tavern, where some good beer and food was consumed. As tradition dictates.
All in all, a good day for the choir.
Unfortunately at very short notice Richard Walmsley had to pull out of the service, but luckily we were joined by Revd Rupert Jeffcoat, whose stunning playing left me grinning widely on more than one occasion! I have no doubt that Rupert will be joining us again.
A family commitment, well, committal if the truth be told, meant I couldn't be there for the morning rehearsal so I wasn't able to sing in the service, however this meant that for the first time I was able to hear what RSCM Scottish Voices actually sounds like from a congregational perspective. And not only was I not disappointed, I was very very impressed!
For some time now both Frikki and Richard have been saying how pleased they both are with the way the choir has developed in the fairly short time since we started, and while in response I've been nodding my head and agreeing, secretly I've been thinking "what are they talking about, it's OK but it's not as brilliant as you guys are making out". Well I now realise that they have had the benefit of not being in the midst of all the singers so have been able to hear the overall sound. And they have been right all along! OK, this is the choir site, and I am the choir administrator, so it's forgiveable if I try to talk up our capabilities on this forum. But I don't need to talk them up. RSCM Scottish Voices is actually a very good choir, particularly given the short time it's been in existence, and the paltry 13 times we've met each other to sing together.
Not only that, but the introit actually moved me to tears. It's no secret that I'm not a big fan of John L Bell's musical style, but his anthem There is a place, written to commemorate the victims of the Dunblane massacre of 1996 when gunman Thomas Hamilton murdered sixteen children and a teacher, just hit the spot. OK, again emotionally I was in a strange place, having been scattering the ashes of a close and much loved family member that morning, but the choir sang beautifully and very movingly.
And inevitably, following the service a large crowd of us wandered a short way to the Queens Tavern, where some good beer and food was consumed. As tradition dictates.
All in all, a good day for the choir.
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