The organist librarian

Yesterday we went to Jim and Hyacinth's to collect some plants - they have an amazing garden! Woke early and went to the pool only to find it closed until 8.30 a.m. To mosaic and main pattern finished - just the boring white background bits to do. I think I shall take a break from it in the summer. To St Michael Cornhill and gave out Beckenham and St John's fliers in the course of which I met Prof Michael Musgrave who studied with Downes and Darke and is an expert on Brahms. Stephen Farr played beautifully - Preston, Mendelssohn 2, Bartok (!) Judith Bingham, Alain, Thurlow and best of all the Dorian! Always makes me think of Dad doing his FTCL. Home and working on Croydon meetings idea.  Also  a new blog on Jerusalem. http://cmjerusalem.blogspot.co.uk/

Listened to Corpus Christi carol by Judith Bingham from St David's and O Lord grant the Queen a long life by Francis Pott sung by New College Oxford using the score. Wednesday worked on essays and made some changes and sent them off. Did not go to spirituality day but sorted organ music and moved it into hall cupboard. Now have a large pile to dispose of.

Samll choir sang Panis Angelicus very nicely. They were thanked by Vickie as this is last Choir Sunday until September. To choral workshop 1 to 3 at RCM with Paul Spicer and professional singers - good line up of tenors. The Gothic symphony is very difficult and demanding but it gave us a feel for the work. To Stephen Farr's concert and Chris had given us seats in the circle. Alain, Bach, Liszt and premiere of Judith Bingham - all most effective and interesting. To gallery and listened to In tune and choral evensong from Ripon on my little radio. The Brian proved to be a mammoth work with great contrasts - effective quiet singing from a vast choir. Big audience too. Pretty tired after an exciting weekend. Turns out organists did not get into 3rd church on Saturday! The pedals ciphered completely this morning so abandoned Andriessen and played Stanley!

A good day at the library and caught up with my work. Liz was cantor at vespers and we were joined by several seminarians including Ed. We were acolytes at the Ordination Mass at 6 p.m. There were around 60 priests present and loads of servers and it was a great occasion. Ed and Kingsley both coped well. It was a pity that Philip who serves with us on Saturdays did not get more to do but he was communion torch (although I gather there were not enough torches!) I made sure he got a first blessing. We had our blessing together. We gave Ed a cross we bought in Wurzburg cathedral shop. Most unusual it has bread and wine on it. The music was great - MacMillan and Bingham sung by the special choir. The service lasted form 6 p.m. to 7.50 p.m. a long time for the Cardinal. Fr Ed is going to Chiswick and Fr Kingsley to the cathedral. There was a lovely reception in the hall. Excellent food and loads to drink although I had consumed a lot of the Precious Blood so I stayed on the orange juice! Su...