The organist librarian

Borrowed John's ladder and checked the kitchen roof with hose. Put two layers of bitumen on sections but had to delay 3rd coat because of showers. Hoovered and cleared up. Saturday to vespers and Mass and bought cards at St Paul's. On the way home listened to The Creation from the Proms. Mark Padmore was excellent. Sunday we sang Goodall's "The Lord is my shepherd" and at evensong the Shera setting and Bob Chilcott's Irish blessing. I played Arthur Milner's variations and a vesper voluntary by Elgar.The day thou gavest and God that madest earth and heaven. In the morning we sang "From thee all skill and science flow". Handel's opera Partenope from the Proms with the libretto online while finishing loading photos from the holiday in Scotland. I am on Proms discussion board. Liz had been to osteopath and sang at evensong at Bedford Park.

Music for a summer’s evening Croydon Parish Church marathon Friday 10th July 2009 9.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. played by John Woodhouse ACertCM FGMS Director of music St Andrew Coulsdon and President of Bromley and Croydon Organists Association Prelude on “Aurelia” Father Andrew Moore (b.1954) This prelude on the tune for “The church’s one foundation” was composed to mark John’s 50th birthday in 1996 and published by Mayhews in the book Consecration. The tune is in the right hand with a gentle accompaniment in the left hand. John has had many years of ecumenical involvement and so the hymn is an appropriate choice. Father Andrew is now a parish priest in Portsmouth. Suite from “The Water Music” George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) Introduction, Minuet, Air, Siciliana, Hornpipe, Aria, Bourree, Finale What more suitable choice for a quiet evening than the well-loved music of Handel whose anniversary we mark this year? 2 Songs without words Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) arranged by John E.West ...

Thursday to rehearsal at Henry Wood hall with Christoph von Dohnanyi. We were required to be there at 6 p.m. for the piano rehearsal and all went well. We then had a gap before the orchestral rehearsal. On Friday came news that the rehearsal at the Festival hall could not take place and the concert on the Saturday was now Verdi requiem conducted by David Parry. Fortunately we were not doing the concert as I was working. Friday night to choir practice only to find I had forgotten that it was cancelled as the choir were not singing on Sunday so I practised the organ and piano and checked on the programme up to the end of November. Dealt very firmly with difficult children on Thursday and the result was a quiet library over the following days! I missed the choir on Sunday. Most of the congregation were at Teresa's ordination at Southwark cathedral. Richard celebrated on his own with one server. I played the whole of Milner's variations on a Northumbrian tune and Willan's Chora...

We had a smaller choir today so we sang Martin How's "Day by day" and William Harris's simple communion setting in F. There were 3 baptisms and my playing of "Land of hope and glory" at the end was much appreciated. Well why not reflect the Last Night of the Proms? The wedding photos were much enjoyed at coffee and the late bride and her husband came to apologise! There were various muddleups with flowers and people getting lost! I visited Grandma in hospital and Dennis and Liz went later. Liz was helping at the Tour of Britain at Crystal Palace. At evensong we sang Harris in A minor, Psalm 121 to Barry Rose's fine chant and Purcell's "Rejoice in the Lord alway". I played Arthur Milner's variations on a Northumbrian tune and Flor Peeters' voluntary on "Tallis Canon". It was Racial Justice Sunday. Watched the recording of Michael Wood in India and the South African children filmed at 7, 14 and 21. Delighted to see Yeoville ...