The organist librarian

Monday was again a busy day. Caroline is off for the week. To tai chi for part of lunch hour. I only had 15 minutes lunch on Saturday because of doing 2 weeks money! I swam 36 lengths. Tuesday only managed 6 as we were late at the pool and I had to get to Putney for the course which was dull - looking at regulations. I met Liz at Clapham Junction and we got the train to Cheam. At the station we met Mike Cornford, sometime librarian at Northcote on his way to swimming! He looks well. I played for Derek's funeral at St Christopher's just as I played in February for Bunty. There were 9 Catenian brothers present. We went to the lovely Old Rectory for sherry, tea and eats. Surprised to receive 2 bottles of fine wine from the family. Derek was a dear and we will miss him. He sang at St John'S Upper Norwood and went to St Joseph's college in the 20s. He never spoke of how he won the Military Cross in the war! We got the train to Clapham Junction and 49 bus to South Kensington ...

Thursday to Berlioz rehearsal. At the weekend it was announced that Edward Caswell is to be our new chorusmaster with Madeleine Lovell as associate. So Mark Griffiths, Aidan Oliver and Stefan Bevier are passed over. It remains to be seen how this will work out. Edward is always on about voce inarlare or something similar! Madeleine is a bit school marmish for my taste but an excellent musician. Friday to choir practice. Molly and Ella's attention span rather short but we did do some good work for Harvest. Only 4 there but John was back after his dental work. I did the November music list and wrote an article about St John's visit on Sunday afternoon. Ryan did not turn up on Saturday (again!) but Gillian was there and Francis and Urbain have made a good start. To Vespers and Mass - Fr Michael's first. Paul Clubb accompanied us to Pizza Hut for a special half price offer - enormous pizzas and unlimited soft drinks! Sunday we sang Howells My eyes for beauty pine" at Couls...

Thursday to Battersea for stock day. Geoff started by saying he was there to listen and then he talked and kept on talking! To WHSmith Croydon to choose book with token from Derek Phillips. Jon Cannon's "Cathedral" about English cathedrals perfect - have visited every one of them and sung in some and played the organ too. Liz has a mug from each one! Friday to choir practice. Practised Compline and one of the sopranos said I wasn't playing the tune as she had heard it on her recording. I pointed out I was playing the tune as in the plainchant but trying to find the right pitch and key. So she said "there are only 4 lines" to which I replied "I know that". I should do after 50 years of being a church musician! Also rehearsed the Stainer - unfortunately it tends to stick in the brain! Saturday did a lot of catching up and to Mass where we had the wonderful gospel of the raising of Lazarus which always reminds me of SSG summer school when the altar w...