The organist librarian

Service went well and I played Gordon Slater's Easter Alleluya. I skipped the church AGM and got train and bus to Austin Friars in the City. From top deck of bus saw the London Marathon runners - hope Ian from the cathedral choir finished! Arnfinn Tobiassen was pleased to see me and Steve Garnett was there. The Dutch church is fine with excellent stained glass. Arnfinn played the Letourneau organ - Sweelinck and Kerll and then a Bach trio sonata and Bohm Prelude on the fine van Leeuwen organ. Tube to Brixton for Lambeth interfaith meeting at Corpus Christi (a fine church) on "Do religion and politics mix?" Clare Short MP was most impressive as was the imam from Hyderi mosque and the trainee rabbi from South London liberal synagogue. Nice to see Ebrahim and friends from the mosque again. Chatted to Michael Chandler who teaches at Heythrop. It was an excellent meeting. Home to watch marathon highlights, Songs of Praise from Windsor and evensong from Worcester. A lovely day ...

To Westminster cathedral hall for course on Catholic evangelisation run by CASE. At my table were Rosaleen from Potters Bar, Leonard from Purley and Maureen and Vicky from Hanwell. Excellent course but had to leave to go and serve at the Catenians centenary Mass. I was cross and brought up the readers. Bishop John preached excellently. Not impressed by the new Catenian hymn. There was a good turnout but I did not see any other Norwood brothers! Tea with Gerry and Liz and back for vespers and Mass with Fr Michael Durand. David again played the Widor Toccata which is always a joy. To St John's RC Islington for Dame Gillian Weir's recital of Bach Clavierubung III. I do not like this Walker organ much but of course she plays marvellously. "Christ the Lord to Jordan came" was so fast! I did not enjoy a Duetto on the crummhorn! Peter Wright, Stephen Disley, James O'Donnell and Anne Marsden Thomas were there. Chatted to Caroline Vaughn in the loo queue!

Thursday after work 5 of us went to Little Bay for an excellent meal and a fine blonde mezzo-soprano singing arias! I had lamb steak and home made tiramisu. My PRP interview went really well and our issues are up 1.4%. Friday back to swimming and choir practice finished early so we could have a choir meeting with wine and nibbles. A useful discussion and further social functions are planned.

Monday swam and I was due to have PRP interview but it was postponed to Thursday. To tai chi and then straight to doctor's where it turns out I did not need a tetanus jab as I had one before going to South Africa 4 years ago! Tuesday swam and straight to Euston from work. Train to Birmingham and met Bruce at the station. Checked in at Comfort Inn near the station and had a great meal at the Mailbox Gourmet Burger kitchen. Wednesday we visited the Birmingham Art gallery particularly rich in Pre-Raphaelites and House of memory. We walked through to the new flat which is lovely with a balcony on the top floor. We then went on the hour canal trip which was delightful and lovely weather. We had a cream tea at the beautiful botanical gardens. We visited the Ikon gallery Berwick prints and intriguing videos and then returned to the Evans shop which is most impressive and the staff all very friendly. We had noddles at Wagamana and then it was off to the train and home by 11 p.m.

Watched Songs of Praise featuring Messiah from Birmingham with Thomas Trotter at the organ. Very effective use of the whole body of singers in Hallelujah chorus from memory and "Since by man " and Amen chorus. Jonathan Lemalu sang wonderfully. Read Tablet, Oremus and Music and liturgy while enjoying the Radio 3 Handel day and evensong from Ely featuring 7 Cambridge college choirs in Stanford in A. Watched an old programme "Barking" - amazing BNP people and racist views.

President’s report Bromley and Croydon District Organists’ and Choirmasters’ Association for AGM April 25 2009 Let me begin by apologising for not being with you today – I have triple-dated myself! Looking over the season I am sorry to note that meetings have, despite my best efforts, too often fallen on days when I am working in the library and I have been sad to miss them. I am grateful to our indefatigable secretary for keeping us all in touch and doing so much to organise our events. Thank you Christopher! In September members visited the 3 manual Hill organ at St Dunstan’s, Bellingham and followed this in October with a visit to Dulwich. I have heard Norman Harper play the Robin Jennings organ in the Old library at Dulwich College and it is an interesting instrument. The visit concluded at St Stephen’s, Dulwich. The October 29th visit to the Welte Player organ at Salomons, Tunbridge Wells was delightful and shows that members will come on a weekday visit in half term! In November ...

Back to work on Saturday and 55 emails! The reading group had a lively discussion on India and "The white tiger". After Vespers and Mass (celebrant Canon Christopher and some fine organ playing from David Grealy who is playing 11 liturgies this weekend) to Gillian's flat to watch Hitchcock's "39 steps" starring Robert Donat. Hugh Laurie and Peggy Ashcroft in small parts. Surprised how much the plot was changed! Delicious mackerel pate! Low Sunday played for service with no choir so we sang Rutter Gloria and Vickie cantored Celtic alleluia. People didn't know "Up from the grave he arose" at the end but enjoyed the Hallelujah chorus. I played the Bach variations on "Christ lag in todesbanden". Practised Mendelssohn, Bach Orgelbuchlein and Handel. Meeting and children's service after service next 2 weeks so thinking ahead. Bought Fairtrade tropical muesli and my favourite yoghurt raisins! Grainne is expecting again! Great news!

The weather broke and lots of rain! To Mass at the fine church and coffee afterwards. Visited the Grange museum which had interesting displays about Rottingdean residents Kipling and Burne-Jones. To St Margaret's church with its Burne-Jones stained glass and evidence of happy-clappy style! We were heading for Wakehurst Place but decided to try the Bluebell railway as Liz had never been on it. There was a steam train running so we enjoyed the trip and the loco shed. We then had a walk in Sheffield Park as the rain held off. Picked up fish and chips at McDermotts and home by 6. Watched programme on Sophiatown and "All the small things" which is an excellent series. Also Mastermind. The Tablet has come!

After a full breakfast we went to Mass in the convent chapel. We drove to Alfriston and visited the parish church shared with the URC, the NT clergy house and the URC chapel which had lovely flower arrangements. Liz shopped and I resisted the musical memoribilia shop! At 1 p.m. we were at St Mary the Virgin, Eastbourne for a recital by the organist Victor Potter. He seemed ill prepared - Mendelssohn 3, Handel, Wesley, Hakim abd Dubois. The organ is a disappointing Allen. We then drove through Eastbourne to Pevensey Bay and ended up sitting above the beach leading to Beachy Head with a fine view. Sunny and a breeze. At Beachy Head we were in time to see the interesting display. The drive via Birling Gap was lovely and we had an ice cream cone at Seven Sisters park. This could only be England! A nice dinner of shepherd's pie and then off to read "The ornament book" which is fairly heavy going!

We set off after lunch on Wednesday having tidied up and Liz had done shopping for Grandma. We got to Rodmell near Lewes via Newhaven having got on the main A27 instead of the side road. The Monk's house is National Trust and was the home of Virginia Woolf. It has fine paintings and her writing room in the garden with interesting displays. The garden is delightful with tulips and lovely trees. We then proceeded along the coast to Rottingdean to find St Martha's convent where we were warmly welcomed and installed the comfortable cottage. Dinner was roast chicken and very tasty apple and cream cake. We watched "The Speaker" which we had previously missed and "The Apprentice".

Tuesday evening to Southwark cathedral for the recording session and all went smoothly. Diane Louise Jordan did her presentations. Liz got moved from next to the Dean to the front row of the choir stalls next to the communications director for the diocese. Finished around 10 p.m. after a lot of loud singing. It will be on in Sept and February. Neva and Caroline said they would not do it again - perhaps they thought it was just recorded in one take!

A quiet day and start of my leave. The ton of shingle was supposed to come at 8 a.m. but actually came around 10.30 a.m. Liz went to borrow the wheelbarrow but we found we could not get the left hand back seat in the car down. The garage could not fix it quickly either so David at No 15 kindly drove up to Kathy's, brought the wheelbarrow down and helped move the shingle to the back garden which looks very nice now. On my 4th trip with the wheelbarrow a nail went through the sole of my left shoe into the sole of my foot. I was OK but will go for tetanus jab on Monday! I did 9 trips myself. We had a good chat about teaching. Watched Henry VIII (David Starkey) and Messiah (Howard Goodall) programmes.

Woke early so watched first 2 episodes of "All the small things" which I enjoyed. To Bromley Parish church for recital by Gary Sieling who was delighted to see me again and saw Jane as well. He played variations by Scheidt, Vann and Andriessen, the Bach passacaglia and Mendelssohn 6. The encore was his own composition Toccata and Fugue Enrico Mancini which turned out to be the Pink Panther theme. I took along the proposed Belfast organists tour and chatted to Michael and Ken about it. It was a delightful concert. Met Liz at Penge and bought compost at Homebase. Watched progammes on Messiah including Songs of Praise with everyone singing the Hallelujah chorus from memory and programme on Caravaggio's Betrayal of Christ. To Southwark cathedral for rehearsal of Songs of Praise which went well. Liz is in the choir stalls, I am behind a tall tenor and next to Jack Bentley from West Wickham. Home at 10.30 p.m.

To Vespers and Benediction at which the choir sang Victoria and Guy Weitz at the end. Super improvisations after the psalms. We were acolytes. Canon Christopher thanked everyone and there were Easter eggs. Sponsored Ian (alto) in the marathon. On the way back listened to Windsor doing Messiah and this was included in the morning service from Oxford too. Evensong at St John's was great with Stanford in A, Hallelujah chorus and Stanford Te Deum in B flat at the end of Benediction. Watched No 1 ladies detective agency as we enjoyed roast lamb. Also Eucharist from Southwark cathedral (combined choirs very good and excellent soloist in RVW Rise heart). Programme on Messiah featuring the Huddersfield choral society directed by Joseph Cullen.

Woke early so looked at the Proms prospectus and commented on the BBC site about no Henry Wood sea songs on the Last Night. Instead we are to have Gerard Hoffnung and Ketelbey - which is funnier? To Coulsdon and went well although I think I could have played better. Haydn Mass, Thatcher Come ye faithful, This joyful Eastertide and Howells Saraband. Terrific noise of bells and gongs and organ before the hymn version of Exultet to "Woodlands". Coffee and sherry afterwards and people raving about the singing on Friday and today so that's great! I practised afterwards including Mendelssohn 3rd sonata.

David Grealy has again excelled himself with these photos showing the light spreading through the dark cathedral. Liz stayed up all day putting out candles and various jobs. I needed a snooze and we met at Prezzo for an excellent meal of calzone and honeycomb cake at 6 p.m. It was packed at the start but emptied when the theatres started! The vigil was at 8.30 p.m. this year and finished before 11 p.m. Walking through the dark building at the start is always amazing. The Vierne Messe solennelle setting is fantastic and we were on lighting lights all round the balcony which meant climbing up dark stairs and eventually finding a switch. Sicut cervus from there sounded wonderful - great arches of sound. Fr Michael Dunne sang Exultet and gospel very firmly and well. We were also communion torches. A wonderful ceremony with the Cardinal baptising 10 people and confirming as many again. Langlais Incantation pour un jour saint at the end. We enjoyed Liz's cake and blew out all the balcony...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW6YOJ3GyPA Godsdogz once again has a moving video and the lamentation of Jeremiah.

Woke early as I dropped off last night on the settee and got to bed early 11.15 p.m. Read rest of last week's Tablet. To morning prayer and again the choir sang superbly. I led in with James and we had to genuflect. Bishop John presided. Victoria and Anerio and tenebrae (George on puting out candles) but no strepitus! I did the Stations using the booklet from the Holy Land pilgrimage and Cormac Rigby's excellent meditations. The Eric Gill stations are very beautiful. Am now home for a rest and Liz has stayed to help set up for the Vigil. Liz has made 2 lovely cakes decorated with small eggs. I think the Passion has been more personal this year in some way helped by the mediations on the work of the Spirit each day and Gordon Giles' excellent book on Feasting and Fasting. Also the Holy Land pilgrimage brings back so many lovely memories. I was very struck by the Eastern feel of the plainchant setting this morning of Jeremiah and how the text reflects what has been happening...

Photos by David Grealey Woke early and spoke to Ann - it was some time since I had done so. She has Bible study on Wednesday evenings which doesn't always fit with me being available on Wednesday mornings. Mark is there for Easter and planning to come over in July so that will be nice. Claire is planning to go to Camp America. To Morning prayer with the choir singing Victoria and Anerio Christus factus est. As always the readings for today are inspiring and the Cardinal was accompanied for 4 priests in red copes. Thomas and Fr Swavek were the cantors. To the car for a sit down and reading last week's Tablet (the subscription still not sorted out!). To Westminster Abbey on the bus to join the procession of witness. There was an excellent tourn out including lots of cathedral folk. The hymns were supported by brass and members of the Passage carried the cross. I rather think more could be done to tell passersby what is happening. In Croydon we gave out leaflets explaining the pro...

38 lengths and the last swim for a few days. Sad to see that the pool is open Good Friday and Easter Monday - the staff need a break too! Spent the day completing PRP statements and getting them signed. Staff meetings went smoothly and there was time for once for some discussion rather than just me telling everybody everything! I also had to fill in the training statistics which is never easy. I left at 5.30 and picked up the car. Thornton Heath is being dig up for gas works for 5 months so chaos reigns and it means using the Selhurst route. The service at Coulsdon went well. The choir moaned about being in the nave but it was more intimate and sensible as the congregation was sadly small. We sang Rutter Gloria, Wood Mass in the Phrygian mode, To mock your reign to Tallis tune, Psalm 116 and at the end Psalm 22 and Taize Stay with me. The altar of repose in the Lady chapel looked lovely. The hymns were "Soul of my saviour" "An upper room" "Now my tongue" t...

Up early and did May music list. No sign of Ann on Skype. I swam 38 yesterday and 36 on Monday. To Town hall for Unison branch committee meeting and we heard about the proposed learning agreement. Buses and train to the Temple church for Ann-Elise Smoot's recital of Bach and Brahms Passiontide pieces. I thought "O wie selig" a tad fast and the registration of "Aus tiefer not" was too thick at the end. Martin Ball was there and surprised to see me as I vowed not to go there again after being locked out twice! Bus and millennium bridge to Tate Modern. My renewed card worked OK on the Horn exhibition which I did not much care for especially the room of photos of a woman looking at us! My card then did not work for the Russian exhibition so I will have to return. Giant spider in the hall. To the cathedral and arrived early so bought Tablet (at last - renewed subscription not come through yet). Served at Tenebrae which was broadcast on Radio 3 and the singing of Vict...

To Chrism Mass at 12 noon. Ended up being communion torch with Liz. The MacMillan St Anne's setting and Galloway Gloria worked well. It was packed and the Cardinal got 2 claps. Deacon Kassa was carrying the oils. One of the deacons smiled as Fr Michael gave me the chalice and held my candle! The MacMillan Ave verum was thrilling. I was back at work by 2.15 p.m. and worked on PRP and game plan estimates. To Power station for presentation by Red Bull about their August motorcycle event. Got a lift to the station so early at Croydon Parish church. Went for a walk - what a grim area. When I play for the all night July marathon I will take the car. Croindene sang Mendelssohn cantata Aus teifer not beautifully. There were poems by John Donne - would have liked to have had the text to follow. Martin How and Colin Boswell asked after Bruce. Julie and David Smith and Tony Trent greeted me. 14 in congregation. Home to find a parking place in the road despite the match and Liz arrived too. Wa...

Friday morning to St John's Upper Norwood for the funeral of Revd Beverley's father Cliff who was a soldier. Her 3 brothers spoke about his career and upright character. The music was Faure Requiem Kyrie and In Paradisum and Edgar Bainton's !And I saw a new heaven". Just time to grab some sandwiches and got earlier train to be in to work by 1 p.m. Finished PRP interviews Monday morning and went to Platform One restaurant at Clapham Junction for launch of project to employ more disabled people. The patissier provided cakes and we enjoyed samosas. Spoke to several councillors including the deputy Mayor of Wandsworth Peter Dawson who had heard about this blog! I shall have to be careful what I say? Spoke to Lorinda Freint, lady who organises ceramics and disabled employment advisor. Tai chi was cancelled. To Southwark cathedral for rehearsal for Songs of Praise. A fine body of singers but everything so loud! Paul Leddington Wright excellent and Peter Wright playing. Neva ...

All went well at Coulsdon and we sang Willson's "Hosanna" written for the church. John played his flute in the procession. The passion was read by different readers. The anthem was Ouseley's "Is it nothing to you?" and the setting by Bairstow. It was good to have the 2 girls in for the whole service as there was no Sunday school. I played Bach "Tears of grief" at the end. My Holy Land articles have been much appreciated. To Royal Academy for the new friends tour of the Fine art rooms given by an American called Dave - most interesting and some fine pictures. To St John's Upper Norwood for Via Crucis including Lotti Crucifixus, Blow Salvator mundi, Chilcott's "God do loved the world" and a most effective Prayer for the crucifix by Philip Moore written for Francis Jackson's 80th birthday. Hymns included Vexilla regis, Drop, drop slow tears and It is a thing most wonderful. Watched Antiques roadshow, No 1 ladies detective agency,...

Holy Week is upon us after a busy Lent. Highlights of Lent have been the faith sharing group and reading "Approaching Easter" by Jane Williams and "Holiness" by William O'Malley. The Islington concert was also memorable although I still do not like the Arvo Part 7 Magnificat antiphons. It seemed weird not to sing Magnificat with them and were they nto meant to be sung as separate items rather than as a group? The opening of Part's "Which was the son of.." certainly sticks in the mind! Edward very pleased by the concert. Practice last night went O.K. still a lot of chatter but we got through everything. A good day today with glorious sunshine to enjoy and got a lot done. At Vespers and Mass Fr Swavek was most impressive in a red chasuble. George and Paul were there. Came home late and watched "Dido and Aeneas" of Purcell. There is a fine Easter letter from John and Ann Alexander.

Fr Mildew has a good joke about the Pope coming to G20. Godsdogz has the Dominican teddy bear. At the spirituality day at the cathedral, Claire gave us some useful guidance on forgiveness and its 5 stages. 1. Denial I don't admit I was hurt 2. Anger It's their fault I am hurt 3. Bargaining I set up conditions to be fulfilled before I will forgive 4. Depression It's my fault that I'm hurt 5. Acceptance I look forward to growth from the hurt Imagine you are on a cruise. The cruise ships sinks but you manage to save yourself by climbing into a lifeboat. Who is the person you would least like to find in the boat? The person you think of is probably someone with whom you have an unhealed hurt. It occurs to me that the 5 stages also work when I need to ask forgiveness.

Wed March 25th to the Queens gallery to see the beautiful Breughel to Rubens exhibition with excellent commentary featuring our friend Jenny Scott! We had tea at a nice Italian place nearby and I went to Lent group and then to extra chorus rehearsal. Thursday Liz went to Birmingham with Jet in the van to take Bruce's stuff and she returned on Saturday and all is well. I went to chorus on Thursday evening and to choir practice on Friday on public transport so decided to go straight there and practise. I am not playing Bairstow's Toccata prelude on "Pange lingua" this Maundy Thursday. I have revived a fine piece by William Wordsworth on "Nicht so traurig" instead. The tune is set to "Go to dark Gethsemane". I kept up the pace at rehearsal but at one point I told choir to shut up so I could explain the plainchant pointing of the psalm. I was mot embarrassed but really there was no alternative! Friday's interfaith lunch gathering at All Saints was ...