Fidelio and choirs
Wednesday to Unison committee meeting and raised health and safety matters and the snow - we have to take leave for that day which is most unfair. Liz went to Colin Grant's funeral at Addiscombe and was warmly welcomed. To Coulsdon to choose hymns up to May with Sue and Vickie. To chorus rehearsal with Madeleine Lovell who is very demanding. Thursday I was early at Queensgate Terrace, Kensington so to Starbucks for a cappuccino and finished reading "Rome and Canterbury" by Mary Neath. A delightful concert with piano and we sang the prisoners' chorus. Only 4 of the originals from Orange 30 years ago were singing tonight. Madeleine was excellent and a wealthy and friendly audience including Lord Trimble. Very nice selection of wines and nibbles. Returned home to freezing house - the motor on the boiler was finally fixed on Saturday but it all went off again the same day! Brought the fan heater from church.
Friday's practice I was furious as one member said she would not come if we sang the anthem I had chosen. She did not feel confident and did not like it. This was in front of the children. We rehearsed Elgar Ave verum instead but I made my position very clear and sent an email to Vickie on Saturday. Discussed it with her today and we will wait until after Nigel's March 1 visit. I cancelled next Friday's practice as 3 could not come. It is my responsibility to decide whether we can sing an item or not not the choir's and I find their general attitude disrespectful. There is constant chatter at rehearsal.
Saturday had a lie-in for Valentine's day. To David Pipe's recital at St Laurence, Catford which has an extension Walker with pipes behind a cloth behind the altar. David is now at York Minster and says FJ is still playing at 93 despite falls! Met the organist of the church and Chris Town was there. To Beckenham Marks to buy gourmet meal for 2 for £20 - scallops, sirloin steak, side salad, chocolate puddings and cava champagne. Fantastic value! To Grandma's to fix new bed - the bell and light have been done. Josie came. At Mass the choir of Douai under John Rowntree sang psalm beautifully and a setting by Merion Jones written for them. It was lovely! We sang "Fairest Lord Jesus" today.
Friday's practice I was furious as one member said she would not come if we sang the anthem I had chosen. She did not feel confident and did not like it. This was in front of the children. We rehearsed Elgar Ave verum instead but I made my position very clear and sent an email to Vickie on Saturday. Discussed it with her today and we will wait until after Nigel's March 1 visit. I cancelled next Friday's practice as 3 could not come. It is my responsibility to decide whether we can sing an item or not not the choir's and I find their general attitude disrespectful. There is constant chatter at rehearsal.
Saturday had a lie-in for Valentine's day. To David Pipe's recital at St Laurence, Catford which has an extension Walker with pipes behind a cloth behind the altar. David is now at York Minster and says FJ is still playing at 93 despite falls! Met the organist of the church and Chris Town was there. To Beckenham Marks to buy gourmet meal for 2 for £20 - scallops, sirloin steak, side salad, chocolate puddings and cava champagne. Fantastic value! To Grandma's to fix new bed - the bell and light have been done. Josie came. At Mass the choir of Douai under John Rowntree sang psalm beautifully and a setting by Merion Jones written for them. It was lovely! We sang "Fairest Lord Jesus" today.
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