Article for church magazine
Animals and flowers
Oh the joys of Facebook! Having played for 55 years I have not had to play for a pets’ service before(June 10 at 11.45 a.m.) so went on Facebook to ask for suggestions for organ pieces. Some of the ideas would simply not work on the organ e.g. “How much is that doggie in the window?”, Rossini Cats’ duet, “There was a farmer and his dog”, “Three blind mice”, “Ding dong bell” and “Old Macdonald had a farm” quite apart from not being suitable for divine worship in my view. I do have the piano versions of “Teddy bears picnic” which is fun and “A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square” (it’s one of my party pieces) and another suggestion was Gershwin “Walking the dog”. Or the Mozart theme from the show jumping at Olympia might do – it is actually called “A musical joke” as it ends in a discord. A good idea is the organ Toccata “Pat le facteur” i.e. “Postman Pat and his black and white cat” Le Valle Vert by Edward Marsh. It's in the style of the Durufle Toccata, but the theme sounds a bit like Te Deum laudamus. Unfortunately I do not have a copy.
“All things bright and beautiful” comes to mind as well and of course “All creatures of our God and King”. Saint-Saens wonderful Carnival of the animals is ideal and I do have an arrangement of the Swan although I doubt anyone will bring one to church! Also Handel’s delightful concerto “The Cuckoo and the nightingale” or Daquin’s “The cuckoo”. OK I know they’re not pets! So the jury is still out and suggestions welcomed.
And the question of music for the funeral of a gardener brought forth the responses “To a wild rose”, “Jesus Christ the apple tree”, “There in God’s garden”,” Proud Maisrie” (having checked the lyrics. It is a Child Ballad and incredibly old), Flor Peeters on “King Jesus hath a garden” Theme tune to Ground force but perhaps most appropriately “In an English country garden” written by Australian Percy Grainger. There is also a beautiful solo about flowers in Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb”.
I shall be again at the organ at the summer fete on June 30th if you would like to “come and have a go” for a small donation. Please bring along your music. I shall also be looking for more singers. People seem to think we are asking for a big commitment but in fact you would be welcome occasionally as well. We usually rehearse in the hall at 9.35 a.m. and after service for 20 minutes so you only need to turn up on Sunday mornings. Juniors are welcome to join us for the all age service on the first Sunday and the next major one is Harvest on October 7th.
John Woodhouse
Oh the joys of Facebook! Having played for 55 years I have not had to play for a pets’ service before(June 10 at 11.45 a.m.) so went on Facebook to ask for suggestions for organ pieces. Some of the ideas would simply not work on the organ e.g. “How much is that doggie in the window?”, Rossini Cats’ duet, “There was a farmer and his dog”, “Three blind mice”, “Ding dong bell” and “Old Macdonald had a farm” quite apart from not being suitable for divine worship in my view. I do have the piano versions of “Teddy bears picnic” which is fun and “A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square” (it’s one of my party pieces) and another suggestion was Gershwin “Walking the dog”. Or the Mozart theme from the show jumping at Olympia might do – it is actually called “A musical joke” as it ends in a discord. A good idea is the organ Toccata “Pat le facteur” i.e. “Postman Pat and his black and white cat” Le Valle Vert by Edward Marsh. It's in the style of the Durufle Toccata, but the theme sounds a bit like Te Deum laudamus. Unfortunately I do not have a copy.
“All things bright and beautiful” comes to mind as well and of course “All creatures of our God and King”. Saint-Saens wonderful Carnival of the animals is ideal and I do have an arrangement of the Swan although I doubt anyone will bring one to church! Also Handel’s delightful concerto “The Cuckoo and the nightingale” or Daquin’s “The cuckoo”. OK I know they’re not pets! So the jury is still out and suggestions welcomed.
And the question of music for the funeral of a gardener brought forth the responses “To a wild rose”, “Jesus Christ the apple tree”, “There in God’s garden”,” Proud Maisrie” (having checked the lyrics. It is a Child Ballad and incredibly old), Flor Peeters on “King Jesus hath a garden” Theme tune to Ground force but perhaps most appropriately “In an English country garden” written by Australian Percy Grainger. There is also a beautiful solo about flowers in Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb”.
I shall be again at the organ at the summer fete on June 30th if you would like to “come and have a go” for a small donation. Please bring along your music. I shall also be looking for more singers. People seem to think we are asking for a big commitment but in fact you would be welcome occasionally as well. We usually rehearse in the hall at 9.35 a.m. and after service for 20 minutes so you only need to turn up on Sunday mornings. Juniors are welcome to join us for the all age service on the first Sunday and the next major one is Harvest on October 7th.
John Woodhouse
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