Friday's concert at St Ann's with Joey Draycott and the Schola Cantorum of Heythrop College seems to have gone down very well. I counted at least 75-80 in the audience which felt reasonably busy, although next time we'll go for a start at at least 730pm instead of hanging about 20 minutes waiting for late arrivals. Michael Cayton played his Von Himmel Hoch very sparktastingly, and the choir sounded particularly good in the hymns. There is some sound footage somewhere (is that the right expression??) I really enjoyed the duet with Martina Jelinkova although we came marginally unstuck once or twice, and Rory Baird, aged 12 and with the wisdom of youth, said he thought it was too long. It was.
Saturday was spent rejoicing in the wonder of the new BB which arrived at a secret drop off, and also recording two vidoes of songs Barenarebee and I are doing on the 17th December at the Half Moon Pub, Herne Hill. This is NOT IN PUTNEY!!! as per advertised location. I will update the forthcoming concerts page. Also tried to finish off The Clapham Christ, the poem that Rev. David Isherwood has asked me to present at The Sun Pub, The Pavement, Clapham Common when HTCC do our carol singing on Saturday 18th December 1800h.
Moderately pleased with the result:
'Better yourself or die'
is the message from on high
in the language that is built
upon the adverts seen on Sky...
and also
The Clapham Christ awaits His home
He waits while we all chat on phones
He waits for you to turn the TV off
and not to give an inward (ahem) cough
each time the name of Jesus is said in love...
and
He'll change the locks on your heart
to keep out selfishness for a start
And find a place to home the gentle Holy Spirit's Dove
That sort of thing. It must be admitted that it has fallen into the pattern of a 'no room at the inn this Christmas' type homily, but there it is and it performs quite well and (mum) said you want to keep listening because of the storyline.
Beerneernaby and I practised our songs after a splendid Pigs on Horseback dinner round at his on Saturday; his Gone are the Days is very playable and prog rocking - it just kinda soldiers on and you just 'wanna keep on strumming'. His high Tenor and my Bass seem to blend well to my ear.
Indomitable de Nordwall struggled against the exigencies of the transport network and finally arrived in Kingston Hill, 180 minutes after leaving the Northern wastes, in time for the last 10 minutes of Friday's concert. Respect to the effort and my thanks. She had the lantern light of Galadriel to guide her and the gift was gladly brought and right joyfully received. It ever burns now in the Halls of St Anthony's Harpertage. The choir plus choir friends went dahn the eight bells at Putney Bridge post Mulled and Minced at St Ann's Hall and pints were sunk and crisps dispatched and reciprocal concerts mentioned.
Sunday, driving rain on Lavender Hill and then the clouds parted, Simpsons style, as Father Michael and I drove up Kingston Hill for choir practice. Well we had three choristers which is considerably better than nul points and they sang well in the service, but we need to get our strength up before we ever manage a communion anthem. Hmm.
Does anyone know The Greyhound Pub in Roehampton (pretty sure of the name)? Never heard it was there - a real country pub in London, with wonderful log fire and good-ish food, with good-full service and atmosphere and wunderbar view of Roehampton wilds or woods. Very Sunday lunch plus little ones crew and it was busy, but lots of space and plenty of parking. Fathers Michael and Pat and their organist headed for a few hours of chewing the cud and discussing the Pope's smoking and Piano playing, dying to self and the driving habits of the Taiwanese. We wondered whether the British habit of being wonderful warriors when abwoad and suffering patiently in queues until they're forced to wait 5 seconds behind a driver who hasn't noticed that the lights have changed (SPLHCB 'he blew his tyres out in the car'): could it... does it... might it... have something to do with our Island Mentality?
We can't escape from the neighbours so we try and be as polite as possible to avoid the rage within at Leylandii growth (etc etc), and then when we finally emerge from our North Sea Nest and go and bash the locals (French, Germans, Italians, Spanish, Dutch, Boers, Japanese, Chinese, Indians etc) we're secretly revenging ourselves for unwarranted greenery impeding the view from Mon Repos?
Answers on a postcard please.
Anyhow, after lunch, a Double Priest Powered lift to St Mary Magdalene Wandsworth Common for a 4pm practice and then a 630pm service of Advent Carols and readings.
Really interesting sermon from Rev Nick Peacock mentioning apothatic understanding that it is easier and sometimes more correct to say what God is not rather than attempting to define the divinity. (Viz John of the Cross). IE: God is not evil (!), God is not selfish, God is not absent. I suppose 'gods are not God' is the message of Judaism: Christianity is much more about God is Love, God is incarnate, Christ is risen, Christ is God. We talked after the service of how the desire to please God, pleases God.
Conducted the St Mary Magsters choir in Adam lay y' bounden and Jesu joy of man's desiring. Really enjoyed them both, but found playing for Psalm 121 and the Baird Mag and Nunc pretty nerve racking. My first Anglican Psalm; an accompanying magazine for organists everywhere! Available from WHSmiths and all good record shops... Yes it does sound a bit nerdish come to think of it. There's a dingbat with the title Nerd on the new BB. Magsters sounded pretty good though.
Thursday night was Medici Choir rehearsal at the Covgar. They sounded pretty good too - Basses gathering confidence or testosterone, one or both. The B Minor Mass is jolly hard for anyone, and the choir have really risen to the challenge. Nice session down the Covgar Hostelry after and chats with JMB about this n t'other, and that an t' ither.
Aviary has just suggested a Monday morning meet at Esca in Clappers so better sign off there. Still in dressing gown.
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