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.
Monday, 24 January 2011
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.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Music for Strathallan
Below are some rehearsal aids for our forthcoming residential rehearsal weekend at Strathallan School. Some of the following, and much more, will form the basis of our next few events.
I couldn't find clips of Sir John Stainer in B Flat Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, John Bertalot Fauxbourdons, John L Bell's There is a Place, Frikki Walker's Prayer for Peace, or John Madden's We will remember them.
The first video below contains only the first part (I couldn't find the second part) of the Thomas Morley Responses, which can be found about 50 seconds into the clip. Be aware though that they perform the 1662 Prayer Book version in which the priest sings "Glory be to the Father ......." followed by a response from the choir, whereas we'll doubtless be doing the correct version as set by Morley! If none of that makes sense don't worry, all will be obvious on the day.
The video below is of the William Byrd Praise our Lord all ye gentiles, and it's 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 (and you wondered how he got to know so much about singing!). Having sung there a few times with one of Frikki's former choirs The Marian Consort, I can safely say it's one of my favourite cathedrals, and in fact one of my favourite English cities. Great pubs!
Below is Samuel Sebastian Wesley's Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace.
John Ireland's Greater Love hath no man than this is below.
Edgar Bainton's And I saw a new heaven, with powerful words from the Book of Revelation, is one of my absolute all time favourite anthems, is very near the top of the exceptionally long list of things I want sung at my funeral, and can be found below.
Also near the top of my funeral list is Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow's atmospheric anthem Let all mortal flesh keep silence, which a very important person in a former life of mine always described as my anthem because whenever she heard it she apparently always remembered me singing the tenor solo in it, and which is below.
Lastly, but by no means leastly, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck's Gaudete Omnes is below.
Enjoy them all!
I couldn't find clips of Sir John Stainer in B Flat Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, John Bertalot Fauxbourdons, John L Bell's There is a Place, Frikki Walker's Prayer for Peace, or John Madden's We will remember them.
The first video below contains only the first part (I couldn't find the second part) of the Thomas Morley Responses, which can be found about 50 seconds into the clip. Be aware though that they perform the 1662 Prayer Book version in which the priest sings "Glory be to the Father ......." followed by a response from the choir, whereas we'll doubtless be doing the correct version as set by Morley! If none of that makes sense don't worry, all will be obvious on the day.
The video below is of the William Byrd Praise our Lord all ye gentiles, and it's 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 (and you wondered how he got to know so much about singing!). Having sung there a few times with one of Frikki's former choirs The Marian Consort, I can safely say it's one of my favourite cathedrals, and in fact one of my favourite English cities. Great pubs!
Below is Samuel Sebastian Wesley's Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace.
John Ireland's Greater Love hath no man than this is below.
Edgar Bainton's And I saw a new heaven, with powerful words from the Book of Revelation, is one of my absolute all time favourite anthems, is very near the top of the exceptionally long list of things I want sung at my funeral, and can be found below.
Also near the top of my funeral list is Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow's atmospheric anthem Let all mortal flesh keep silence, which a very important person in a former life of mine always described as my anthem because whenever she heard it she apparently always remembered me singing the tenor solo in it, and which is below.
Lastly, but by no means leastly, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck's Gaudete Omnes is below.
Enjoy them all!
Monday, 26 July 2010
Cat Herders
This is what it sometimes feels like to be the administrator, particularly when approaching the residential rehearsal weekend!
Sunday, 25 July 2010
A twin history lesson
RSCM Scottish Voices will be taking part in Choral Evensong to mark the anniversary of 9/11 on, strangely enough, Saturday September 11th 2010 in St John's Episcopal Church in Forfar (top photo) which is the church in which Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later to become the Queen Mother) was confirmed on 5th November 1916. Tha father of a former rector, John Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen, was one of the three Scottish bishops who in 1784 consecrated Samuel Seabury as first bishop of the Episcopal Church of the then brand new United States of America. History? We've got it!
Our final meeting in 2010 will be in the lovely Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church in Paisley (photo on right) on Saturday 4th December. The church, linked to the prominent threadmaking Coats family who were major benefactors in 19th century Paisley, is unofficially known as "The Baptist Cathedral of Europe" and although normally the type of service in which we take part is relevant to the denomination of the church in which we are singing, on this occasion we have been asked to sing Choral Evensong, and it's been suggested that this might be the first time in the UK such a service has been held in a Baptist church!
Full details, and of course individual posts relating to each, will follow in due course.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Richard's wedding music
Richard's wedding is fast approaching, and some videos to aid note-bashing are below:
Videos relating to the Stanford Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem, and Britten Jubilate Deo in C, have already been posted here relating to our recent Dundee visit. The Patrick Hadley My Beloved Spake is below.
Videos relating to the Stanford Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem, and Britten Jubilate Deo in C, have already been posted here relating to our recent Dundee visit. The Patrick Hadley My Beloved Spake is below.
Monday, 28 June 2010
Church Music Quarterly
I was asked recently to contribute an article on RSCM Scottish Voices to the fine RSCM publication Church Music Quarterly.
Not having any guidance as to the length of article expected, my first draft was something like 750 words long, but that's now been negotiated down to 250-300 words although it may be edited further!
The next edition is due in September, so I guess if it gets published it'll be in that one, and if so I'll be sure to post details here!
Not having any guidance as to the length of article expected, my first draft was something like 750 words long, but that's now been negotiated down to 250-300 words although it may be edited further!
The next edition is due in September, so I guess if it gets published it'll be in that one, and if so I'll be sure to post details here!
Friday, 25 June 2010
City of Discovery and wine
Another good day was had by all.
Last weekend saw RSCM Scottish Voices sing Choral Evensong in St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Dundee, and leaving aside the visits to two churches and a cathedral where some of our own members sing, this had to be the warmest welcome yet, and it was certainly the biggest congregation!
And not only that, one of the cathedral choir expressed an interest in joining us, so had an audition pretty much there and then, so welcome to the choir Paul!
The enthusiasm with which my initial approach to the Cathedral's Pastoral Musician, Stuart Muir, was met last year, was matched by the generous welcome we received from all at Dundee, from the tea, coffee and cakes we were fed on arrival, to the wine, sandwiches, wine, snacks and wine to which we were treated at the end of the service. Thanks folks, it was appreciated by all the choir, and was very much talked about in the pub afterwards!
The pub we went to was DCA (Dundee Contemporary Arts) a few minutes walk from the Cathedral, which was bright, airy, comfortable, and served alcohol, so it was a winner. The crowd who went there wasn't quite as big as normally go out to play after our services, and we didn't stay as long as normal, but that can be attributed to the generous amount of wine provided by the cathedral after the service, negating the need for more booze, and also the fact that a few of the regular pub attendees were missing from the day for perfectly valid reasons ranging from the writing of the final bit of a Thesis, being in Orkney working at the St Magnus Festival, the work-related requirement to speak to Housing Association Tenants about central heating at an Open Day, and probably the best excuse being the impending delivery of Nic and Carson's first child (which is actually due today but at the time of writing this appears not to have happened yet [although I'm currently relying on Facebook updates for my info] - an announcement will doubtless follow in due course!).
Two of us were staying in Dundee overnight, so we went for a good look round the city the next day, finding a pub in which to watch the Italy v New Zealand football game in the afternoon. The one-all draw against the current World Cup Holders was as good as winning the World Cup itself for New Zealand, much to Ruth's delight!
Dundee is a really nice arty city, with lots of little statues and artworks dotted about the streets, and it's well worth a visit. Patrticularly good was the Discovery Exhibition, which was exceptionally well presented. Go there, next time you get a chance.
Last weekend saw RSCM Scottish Voices sing Choral Evensong in St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Dundee, and leaving aside the visits to two churches and a cathedral where some of our own members sing, this had to be the warmest welcome yet, and it was certainly the biggest congregation!
And not only that, one of the cathedral choir expressed an interest in joining us, so had an audition pretty much there and then, so welcome to the choir Paul!
The enthusiasm with which my initial approach to the Cathedral's Pastoral Musician, Stuart Muir, was met last year, was matched by the generous welcome we received from all at Dundee, from the tea, coffee and cakes we were fed on arrival, to the wine, sandwiches, wine, snacks and wine to which we were treated at the end of the service. Thanks folks, it was appreciated by all the choir, and was very much talked about in the pub afterwards!
The pub we went to was DCA (Dundee Contemporary Arts) a few minutes walk from the Cathedral, which was bright, airy, comfortable, and served alcohol, so it was a winner. The crowd who went there wasn't quite as big as normally go out to play after our services, and we didn't stay as long as normal, but that can be attributed to the generous amount of wine provided by the cathedral after the service, negating the need for more booze, and also the fact that a few of the regular pub attendees were missing from the day for perfectly valid reasons ranging from the writing of the final bit of a Thesis, being in Orkney working at the St Magnus Festival, the work-related requirement to speak to Housing Association Tenants about central heating at an Open Day, and probably the best excuse being the impending delivery of Nic and Carson's first child (which is actually due today but at the time of writing this appears not to have happened yet [although I'm currently relying on Facebook updates for my info] - an announcement will doubtless follow in due course!).
Two of us were staying in Dundee overnight, so we went for a good look round the city the next day, finding a pub in which to watch the Italy v New Zealand football game in the afternoon. The one-all draw against the current World Cup Holders was as good as winning the World Cup itself for New Zealand, much to Ruth's delight!
Dundee is a really nice arty city, with lots of little statues and artworks dotted about the streets, and it's well worth a visit. Patrticularly good was the Discovery Exhibition, which was exceptionally well presented. Go there, next time you get a chance.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Dundee
St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Dundee this coming Saturday is the next occasion when you can hear RSCM Scottish Voices sing.
The service of Choral Evensong starts at 4pm, lasts probably a bit less than an hour, and the music we will be singing is:
Introit: Jubilate Deo in C (Benjamin Britten)
Responses: William Smith of Durham
Canticles: Daniel Purcell in e minor
Anthem: Ye choirs of new Jerusalem (Sir Charles Villiers Stanford)
The Cathedral can be found at 1 High St, Dundee DD1 1TD.
The service should be good, so why not come along and hear us.
The service of Choral Evensong starts at 4pm, lasts probably a bit less than an hour, and the music we will be singing is:
Introit: Jubilate Deo in C (Benjamin Britten)
Responses: William Smith of Durham
Canticles: Daniel Purcell in e minor
Anthem: Ye choirs of new Jerusalem (Sir Charles Villiers Stanford)
The Cathedral can be found at 1 High St, Dundee DD1 1TD.
The service should be good, so why not come along and hear us.
Friday, 28 May 2010
What can RSCM Scotland offer?
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is largely an educational charity. As part of the educational aspect of its work, RSCM Scotland can do various things for affiliated churches and members, and in the Spring 2010 RSCM Scotland Newsletter Matthew Beetschen wrote the following:
What can RSCM Scotland do for You? Future events in YOUR AREA?
We need your help please! We’d like to plan events for the next couple of years but need help getting things organised within local areas. We want to be able to run events around the country and are after local input both in finding venues and in organising the right event for the locality.
Here is a list of events that have proved successful and which could be run more or less anywhere:
Meet, Eat and Sing - usually an evening event. We start with informal singing of varied, enjoyable repertoire and follow with a light supper. A chance to meet with other local RSCM members and enjoy music, food and fellowship.
A “Big Sing” - an event where small choirs and other participants come together to sing music that would otherwise be too large-scale. Music can be rehearsed during the afternoon which would end with either a “sing-through” or short Act of Worship.
Voice for Life workshops - an Introduction to the RSCM Voice for Life scheme or training sessions for those already enrolled. An afternoon could cover various sessions in voice production, sight-singing, music reading and “choir in context” or focus specifically on one area. This event could be run for adults or children.
Awards Training Day - helpful hints on preparing for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, giving potential candidates and those who train them a guide to the exam syllabus and an understanding of the standards expected, including seeing a “mock” exam take place. This event could be run for adults or children.
Skills Training Day - help and advice for Organists, Choir Directors, Music Leaders. Sessions could be offered in choir training, service accompaniment, improvisation etc. and we hope to be able to launch the new “Cantor” module from the RSCM Skills Programme. We are especially keen to run workshops in setting up and running Children’s Choirs.
Plainsong Workshop and Sung Compline - a late afternoon workshop culminating in the singing of the traditional service of Compline. As the service is all unaccompanied it could literally take place anywhere! This workshop is suitable for everyone, particularly those who have little ability in reading music.
Singing the Psalms workshop - explore different ways to sing the psalms in worship. From anglican chant to responsorial, plainsong to metrical settings. The workshop can be tailored to meet local needs if required and could also end with an informal act of worship.
Exploring Music, Ministry and Worship - wide-ranging and (usually!) lively discussion of all matters relating to music and worship. For clergy, musicians and worship leaders of churches of all denominations and all who are interested in using music in worship.
Please let us know if you can help us arrange an event near you or if there is something else you would like us to do! Contact Pat in the first instance – pat@rscmscotland.org
What can RSCM Scotland do for You? Future events in YOUR AREA?
We need your help please! We’d like to plan events for the next couple of years but need help getting things organised within local areas. We want to be able to run events around the country and are after local input both in finding venues and in organising the right event for the locality.
Here is a list of events that have proved successful and which could be run more or less anywhere:
Meet, Eat and Sing - usually an evening event. We start with informal singing of varied, enjoyable repertoire and follow with a light supper. A chance to meet with other local RSCM members and enjoy music, food and fellowship.
A “Big Sing” - an event where small choirs and other participants come together to sing music that would otherwise be too large-scale. Music can be rehearsed during the afternoon which would end with either a “sing-through” or short Act of Worship.
Voice for Life workshops - an Introduction to the RSCM Voice for Life scheme or training sessions for those already enrolled. An afternoon could cover various sessions in voice production, sight-singing, music reading and “choir in context” or focus specifically on one area. This event could be run for adults or children.
Awards Training Day - helpful hints on preparing for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, giving potential candidates and those who train them a guide to the exam syllabus and an understanding of the standards expected, including seeing a “mock” exam take place. This event could be run for adults or children.
Skills Training Day - help and advice for Organists, Choir Directors, Music Leaders. Sessions could be offered in choir training, service accompaniment, improvisation etc. and we hope to be able to launch the new “Cantor” module from the RSCM Skills Programme. We are especially keen to run workshops in setting up and running Children’s Choirs.
Plainsong Workshop and Sung Compline - a late afternoon workshop culminating in the singing of the traditional service of Compline. As the service is all unaccompanied it could literally take place anywhere! This workshop is suitable for everyone, particularly those who have little ability in reading music.
Singing the Psalms workshop - explore different ways to sing the psalms in worship. From anglican chant to responsorial, plainsong to metrical settings. The workshop can be tailored to meet local needs if required and could also end with an informal act of worship.
Exploring Music, Ministry and Worship - wide-ranging and (usually!) lively discussion of all matters relating to music and worship. For clergy, musicians and worship leaders of churches of all denominations and all who are interested in using music in worship.
Please let us know if you can help us arrange an event near you or if there is something else you would like us to do! Contact Pat in the first instance – pat@rscmscotland.org
Thursday, 13 May 2010
RSCM Scotland events
There are a few RSCM events coming up which may be of interest not only to RSCM Scottish Voices members, but wider afield too. I've slightly altered the contact email addresses for each event to try to avoid them being plagued by Spam, but I'm sure everyone who reads this Blog is intelligent enough to work out the correct addresses!
I'm grateful to the RSCM Scotland committee for permission to use some of the content of their March 2010 Newsletter as a base for much of the following:
On Trinity Sunday 30th May Compline by Candlelight will be led by RSCM Scottish Voices member Pat Lynch in St Peter's Church, Lutton Place, Edinburgh. Singers should meet at 1745hrs, and the service itself is at 1830hrs, followed by refreshments. If you haven't come across the service of Compline before now, then I'd recommend it to you, it's very relaxing and therapeutic and features beautiful music. A Candlelight Compline for Candlemas was held previously at St Peter's Church, also directed by Pat, and took the format of a short workshop at which the music was learned before everyone moved into the church for the service. The singers were joined in the chancel by a congregation of about 15. St Peter’s Rector, the Rev Canon Fred Tomlinson who led the service said he enjoyed the very prayerful time and issued an invitation to come again on Trinity Sunday to help St Peter’s celebrate its anniversary. Contact sheila AT rscmscotland DOT org for details.
On Wednesday 9th June Alistair Warwick and Jamie Brand will lead a Meet Eat and Sing at 1900hrs at St John's Church in Dumfries. This new initiative for RSCM Scotland was launched at Holy Trinity Church, Melrose at the beginning of March, and of that event Ann Treloar wrote: “Singers and their friends from the Borders and as far away as Oban, met in Melrose for the first event of this kind to be held in Scotland. Matthew Beetschen directed a very successful evening with an interesting selection of music, which was accompanied by Sheila Robertson on the organ and piano. This was followed by an excellent supper and some animated discussion. Grateful thanks were expressed to the Director and to the congregation at Holy Trinity for their splendid hospitality." So please come along to the second Meet, Eat and Sing and enjoy a musical feast! Contact Jamie at brandjr AT alb DOT dumgal DOT org DOT uk to ensure there is enough music and food available!
Saturday 19th June of course is RSCM Scottish Voices' next service of Choral Evensong which will be at St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Dundee at 4pm. Keep looking at this Blog for further info!
From Monday 19th to Thursday 22nd July the Dunblane Singing Break will be held. Now in its thirteenth year, the Dunblane Singing Break, based at Scottish Churches House, is a very popular course for choral singers and church musicians from many different places, including a good number from outside the UK, who come together for four days of rehearsal in preparation for singing and spiritual refreshment. Once again Gordon Appleton is the Director of the course together with Matthew Beetschen, the organist of the cathedral who accompanies services on the magnificent Flentrop organ. This year`s course, for which no auditions are required, starts at lunch time on Monday 19 July and ends after a closing service on Thursday 22 July. Places are still available, so contact Brian Baker at dunblanesingingbreak AT rscmscotland DOT org for details of cost and to book.
On Saturday 18th September the Music Director of RSCM Scottish Voices, Frikki Walker, will direct a Young Voices Festival at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow to which all young choristers are welcome. Frikki is an inspiring musician and is particularly good with youngsters. Contact matthew AT rscmscotland DOT org for further details.
Finally, Saturday 30th October sees Gordon Appleton direct a Dunblane Singing Day. All singers are welcome and it costs a donation to RSCM Scotland. Contact matthew AT rscmscotland DOT org for details.
I'm grateful to the RSCM Scotland committee for permission to use some of the content of their March 2010 Newsletter as a base for much of the following:
On Trinity Sunday 30th May Compline by Candlelight will be led by RSCM Scottish Voices member Pat Lynch in St Peter's Church, Lutton Place, Edinburgh. Singers should meet at 1745hrs, and the service itself is at 1830hrs, followed by refreshments. If you haven't come across the service of Compline before now, then I'd recommend it to you, it's very relaxing and therapeutic and features beautiful music. A Candlelight Compline for Candlemas was held previously at St Peter's Church, also directed by Pat, and took the format of a short workshop at which the music was learned before everyone moved into the church for the service. The singers were joined in the chancel by a congregation of about 15. St Peter’s Rector, the Rev Canon Fred Tomlinson who led the service said he enjoyed the very prayerful time and issued an invitation to come again on Trinity Sunday to help St Peter’s celebrate its anniversary. Contact sheila AT rscmscotland DOT org for details.
On Wednesday 9th June Alistair Warwick and Jamie Brand will lead a Meet Eat and Sing at 1900hrs at St John's Church in Dumfries. This new initiative for RSCM Scotland was launched at Holy Trinity Church, Melrose at the beginning of March, and of that event Ann Treloar wrote: “Singers and their friends from the Borders and as far away as Oban, met in Melrose for the first event of this kind to be held in Scotland. Matthew Beetschen directed a very successful evening with an interesting selection of music, which was accompanied by Sheila Robertson on the organ and piano. This was followed by an excellent supper and some animated discussion. Grateful thanks were expressed to the Director and to the congregation at Holy Trinity for their splendid hospitality." So please come along to the second Meet, Eat and Sing and enjoy a musical feast! Contact Jamie at brandjr AT alb DOT dumgal DOT org DOT uk to ensure there is enough music and food available!
Saturday 19th June of course is RSCM Scottish Voices' next service of Choral Evensong which will be at St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Dundee at 4pm. Keep looking at this Blog for further info!
From Monday 19th to Thursday 22nd July the Dunblane Singing Break will be held. Now in its thirteenth year, the Dunblane Singing Break, based at Scottish Churches House, is a very popular course for choral singers and church musicians from many different places, including a good number from outside the UK, who come together for four days of rehearsal in preparation for singing and spiritual refreshment. Once again Gordon Appleton is the Director of the course together with Matthew Beetschen, the organist of the cathedral who accompanies services on the magnificent Flentrop organ. This year`s course, for which no auditions are required, starts at lunch time on Monday 19 July and ends after a closing service on Thursday 22 July. Places are still available, so contact Brian Baker at dunblanesingingbreak AT rscmscotland DOT org for details of cost and to book.
On Saturday 18th September the Music Director of RSCM Scottish Voices, Frikki Walker, will direct a Young Voices Festival at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow to which all young choristers are welcome. Frikki is an inspiring musician and is particularly good with youngsters. Contact matthew AT rscmscotland DOT org for further details.
Finally, Saturday 30th October sees Gordon Appleton direct a Dunblane Singing Day. All singers are welcome and it costs a donation to RSCM Scotland. Contact matthew AT rscmscotland DOT org for details.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
St Paul's Cathedral
In about seven weeks from now, on Saturday 19th June at 4pm, RSCM Scottish Voices will be singing Choral Evensong in St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 1 High Street, Dundee DD1 1TD.
The music list is:
Introit: Jubilate Deo in C (Benjamin Britten)
Responses: William Smith of Durham
Canticles: Daniel Purcell in e minor
Anthem: Ye choirs of new Jerusalem (Charles Villiers Stanford)
For choir note-learning purposes I've found a couple of performances on YouTube.
The first video below is of the choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor performing the Britten Jubilate (which was written for them at the request of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1961). It appears to be a bit of an advert for the choir school, but if you want to skip the speaky bits, fast forward to about 2min 9sec and the music starts soon after that. And bloody good they are too, unsurprisingly.
The second video is Stanford's Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, sung by the choir of New College, Oxford.
The Smith Responses and Purcell Canticles have been sung before by us.
The music list is:
Introit: Jubilate Deo in C (Benjamin Britten)
Responses: William Smith of Durham
Canticles: Daniel Purcell in e minor
Anthem: Ye choirs of new Jerusalem (Charles Villiers Stanford)
For choir note-learning purposes I've found a couple of performances on YouTube.
The first video below is of the choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor performing the Britten Jubilate (which was written for them at the request of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1961). It appears to be a bit of an advert for the choir school, but if you want to skip the speaky bits, fast forward to about 2min 9sec and the music starts soon after that. And bloody good they are too, unsurprisingly.
The second video is Stanford's Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, sung by the choir of New College, Oxford.
The Smith Responses and Purcell Canticles have been sung before by us.
A new Domain
The Domain name www.rscmscottishvoices.org.uk as of yesterday points to this here Blog but at some point in the future it may well lead to our own site (if I get my act together and publish it from my laptop where it's been sitting for a while!).
A new set of email addresses relating to various aspects of the choir are also now just about past the planning stage and are likely to be put into operation soon, but in part they require choir members to check their Spam filters to ensure the new addresses work properly. I'll email everyone soon to arrange this.
So watch this space, and maybe you might want to bookmark the new address.
A new set of email addresses relating to various aspects of the choir are also now just about past the planning stage and are likely to be put into operation soon, but in part they require choir members to check their Spam filters to ensure the new addresses work properly. I'll email everyone soon to arrange this.
So watch this space, and maybe you might want to bookmark the new address.
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