The organist librarian

Lovely long chat to Ann. Heard the first part of King's. The Walford Davies was superb. Served at Vespers at the cathedral - Buxtehude Magnificat and Victoria O magnum mysterium. Met Adrian. At Mass ex choristers sang Reger. Arrived early for choir practice for Midnight. The new keyboard has a much better organ sound. Shona came so she played for Darke In the bleak midwinter. Elaine and I sang the solos. We also sang Rocking. I had set up my hymnbooks as normal but when we got to the descant verse of Once in royal my book was on the descant for Hark the herald. Right hand trying to remember the right notes, left hand turning the hymn book page to get to the descant, pedals ?? Somehow survived - luckily everything was in F. The problem with A and M is it is a thick book and the book easily shuts especially with hymns near the front. Spiral binding would be the answer! At the end I played Pachelbel Von himmel hoch. I was interested to hear a Swedish choir sing an arrangement on radi...

Steve played the trumpet really well at Remembrance service. We sang Pie Jesu and I played Solemn melody. Brilliant sermon from Anne-Marie Garton could not agree more that we must combat forces which are attacking the basic values of our society. Sad to learn of the passing of Fr Tom Creagh-Fuller, Des Caroll and Gillian McLaughlan. A lovely evensong using Anglican chants and Peter Nardone's A new commandment. To Christ's chapel Dulwich and a good audience for Alana Brook from Adelaide who is now organ scholar at Lincoln. A piece by Australian Graeme Koehne To his servant Bach God grants a finalgift: the morning star. It was all very competent. Monday Mosaic steady slow progress! Eric Chan who won the Harold Darke RCM prize played beautifully at St Michael Cornhill Darke, Bach Schmucke dich, Franck no. 1 and the unknown Bunk Passacaglia. Highly praised by many of the audience. He recalled that I had been to RCM to hear him play! To see Clare and a very helpful chat abou...

We sang Brother James's Air so played Darke Meditation and RVW Hyfrodol. Archdeacon Moira. To death awareness event which was well supported. Then open garden in Burbage Road, Herne Hill. Traffic bad because of football match. Cindy Kennett was serving tea and met her sister and the wife of Aziz who was a bass in the chorys. Evensong lots of unison Dyson and hymns too loud. Orb and Sceptre at end not very good. The last Durrells was superb! Victoria also finished. Sidney reported John East was responsive and liked the radio. 

Hot in the night again. To mosaic and cutting lots of little pieces and sorted out colours. To Southwark cathedral for recital by Jonathan Hall. Lesley from chorus was there! To my first SPIDIR committee. RAF 100 on Horse Guards Parade - planes with RAF personnel in period costume. Interested in Dakota as I flew on one aged 3 months. To 75th anniversary garden party at Westminster Abbey of Council of Christians and Jews. Excellent to hear from young people of projects at universities. Michael Redman, William Rhind, John Parry, Siriol Davies and met some new people. I was cross as Liz did not come down to station depite 2 emails - I had left phone at home. Tuesday we both swam (liz had not been for ages) and Mass. Henry came and played in the garden. I went to Thornton Heath library to video our art exhibition - looks great! To quiet time and a new lady came. I will miss it over the summer. Picked up Liz and went to Acton for the year 6 play Aladdin. For some unknown reason we went to ...

Missed train so train to West Croydon and 207 bus which beat the train by 5 minutes. Music from The Little organ book in honour of Hubert Parry 1918. Sang Panis angelicus and the Schubert adapted for Walsingham. Postlude on a ground by Herbert Murrill. Good to see quite a few children at the service and Fr Jerry Garton did a great reflection on what we should be grateful for and could we share more. I certainly try to share my skills but the enemy is time! Trying to do too much can also be a problem. Good food, exercise, sleep all  matter. Selina Stone spoke at St Paul's "Was Jesus political?" In a broad sense Yes. I think the Dean changed my question which was really about getting people to vote and being engaged but it is true that we need to stop bickering in the church and take a stand. Political influence better than political power? Perhaps Yes think of Nazi Germany and the apartheid regime. Individuals can do so much especially on social media and so can communiti...

Good Shepherd Sunday. Mike spoke at Mass last night he is 3rd year at Allen Hall. Today we sang Brother James' Air and I played Harold Darke's lovely meditation and Bach preludes. I was privileged to have met Dr Darke. Had a first go at Norman Cocker's Tuba tune. The tuba is out of tune and I noted the flute playing c# with top D. Must be the heat. Good sermon from Anne-Marie Garton. At evensong we sang Panis angelicus and Faux bourdons. The last hymn Come ye faithful I recall an anthem by Thatcher. Liz went to help at St Bartholomew's orchestra concert. I watched Durrells, London marathon highlights and Woman in White.

Swam and Stuart at Mass. This must be one of my favourite gospels. Zechariah's incredulity mirrors Thomas. At the funeral of Jim Fitzpatrick MC at East Grinstead his silver medal of the Guild of St Stephen was placed on the coffin, the second reading was the martyrdom of Stephen and the prayer of the Guild was read at the end. He came to Catenian Six provinces Mass at Westminster cathedral and attended the annual servers Mass at Arundel cathedral. The parish priest described him as big,lovely, gruff! May he rest in peace. Father Brown on TV again - great! Seen it before but it is really great. I went to quiet time but head full of carols! Carol service at St John Caterham Valley went really well. We sang In the bleak midwinter Darke and Rutter Nativity carol and Shepherds Pipe carol. 17 in the choir and it was lovely to have Louise Maher and the boys there. Mulled wine and mince pies. I cam back on the train with Alan Rainer. Good to start a relationship with Sacred Hear...

Rained heavily all day. Swam and Mass. Stuart was amused about the readings not being fixed.  21 people at Nigel Groome's recital at St Matthew Westminster. The Leighton worked well not so sure about the English music on a baroque organ. Marcus Wibberley is playing next Wed. Torrential rain and British Museum heaving. Hokusai sold out but enjoyed British landscapes.  Readings about the Spanish civil war preceded Ballad of heroes which is a fine work.Brian Elias cello concerto some fine moments. Purcell arranged by Elgar a curiosity. Excellent Enigma will real ppp. Liz did not come. Jennifer very restless again but at least she took her boots off. Louise and boys have arrived. 

Saturday coffee and cake at St John's and excellent saxophone quartet Royal British legion central band. We sang Brother James's Air and I played Darke's meditation and RVW on Hyfrodol. The Newlands 60th wedding anniversary.  Prof Alister McGrath on Inventing the Universe at St Paul's brilliant lecture and good questions. To complete a busy Sunday LAMAG Faith in the community at Hyderi mosque with Richard Wood Lambeth police borough commander, Alan and Ibrahim chaired by Fr Adrian who told me about hate crime at Corpus Christi. Enjoyed The Durrells and Antiques roadshow, also Costa Rica.Monday to mosaic and Bruce finished and qigong. Played Rachmaninoff on station piano. Come dine with me.  To Norwood Catenians AGM. I was very unimpressed to see that the council decision to hold 2 meetings a year at the weekend so that younger brothers and families could attend was not raised so I raised it and got precisely nowhere. It was deferred despite there being 12 present. Phi...

Saturday to Meditatio ventre for excellent session on Easter and meditation with Eileen McDade and Graeme Watson. Only 5 there. To vespers and Mass with Fr Michael. Worth Abbey consort sang well. In evening dress as straight to Beckenham's dinner. The MP for Beckenham spoke very well about being a soldier in Bosnia. A good meal and lots of enthusiasm about the provincial weekend. Home late and woke early.  Played at St John Caterham. As we sang Brother James Air I played Harold Darke's lovely meditation on the tune and Gordon Slater's Easter Alleluias. Very positive meetng with Gerry and Jill who sadly is going to Wiltshire in May.  Enjoyed playing for evensong at St John Caterham Brewer in D Blessed be the God and Father. Philip Moore on St Fulbert, Walton March and Elegy from "Richard III" and Willan on Gelobt sei Gott with tuba. Delicious beef and Yorkshires for lunch. 

Swam 20 and Liz came too - not many there. Liz went to B and Q to get gardening stuff. To art and started painting the bottles picture and mixing acrylics using my new brushes. Drove to Streatham for interfaith lunch and met the Premraj family from Chennai. Prem told us about India and the recent elections. His son is an architect and he advised me about Chennai. I delivered the mock-ups of the recital programmes to church and found a wedding rehearsal in progress so begged the bride not to be late - an older couple who will marry in the Lady chapel which has some fine stained glass. Booked up tickets and we can visit Xavier in Kerala first and return on the Wednesday in good time for me to go to the St Matthew's course. To St John's for Ascension Day Mass. Mary was late - bit hard to tut tut while singing a hymn! Russell Watson from St Alban's preached but hard to hear him. We sang Darke in F and God is ascended up on high. Watched programme on Hanoverians.

Played Darke on Brother James air and Elgar For the fallen. We sang O thou who camest from above. Psalm 32 was said as no setting available - even the Mayhew book does not match Common worship! Asked to play gospel acclamation after gospel so I said liturgical nonsense and offered to play a short piece instead which worked well.  It seems we are to have a recording of the Last Post next Sunday - unimpressed. Straight to St Paul's cathedral on 2 trains as London Bridge closed again - worked well despite the trek at Blackfriars. Mark Barrett OSB monk of Worth spoke well about Crossing. 

Liz went to Acton to babysit. I got bus to St George;s cathedral Southwark as there was a big match on. Jonathan Rennert played superbly and we could watch him on the screens. The Dorian, Boyce, Moore, Darke and Willan. He remembered me! The new Romero cross is too big for the chapel! To Tate modern to see Paul Klee but there were far too many people there and the canvases are small. Across Millenium bridge to get buses to Bloomsbury Baptist for David Pipe playing Stanford, Bull, Huw Morgan and Harold Britton (both present) and George Haynes. Had to walk further as bus stop closed so missed vespers. Fr Michael Quaqoe welcomed me back and asked after Liz. EJ and Bruce went to Greenwich. Watched University challenge.

Liz off to the cathedral after a request from Nicolas Moodie for a soprano at St Michael Cornhill - £50. Decided against it - I used to sing there in 1974 and met Harold Darke there. Read article on Jewish/Catholic relations. Listened to evensong Bramdean school 1990 including Harris in D and Ireland Ex ore innocentium. Djokovic won Australian Open final beating Murray again! Lovely sunny day and cleaned kitchen floor.

Swam 34 despite being late up. Discussion about what needs to be done and I have loads to read. Liz to serve at schools Mass. I went to Beckenham for Nigel's half hour of Handel, Bach, Darke In green pastures (which as he said is a delight) Archer and German. Home by 1.30 to get on with reading articles. I sent Damian an paper on policing which duly apeared on Helios! Not sure I understand or agree with the articles and not sure I've got time to reread them! Is religion inherently prone to violence? Can an inside understand a religion? Evensong from Winchester 3 choirs featured Howells Te Deum and Stanford in A. The evensong from Exeter included Shephard canticles and Laudate Dominum by Ronald Corp written for the St Cecilia festival this year.

Watched Downton Abbey - excellent. Up early to get buses to cathedral for Red Mass - I was crozier and Liz mitre. Choir sang Victoria and Byrd and Latin mass. Saw Muriel. Baroness Scotland read the prayers.To mosaic for an hour - Linda is off to Mexico so has lent us tools. To St Michael Cornhill for Roger Judd's recital which included Parry, Stanford, Dame Ethel Smyth and Darke. Excellent playing and worth missing tai chi for once. I sang at St Michael's in 1973 when Harold Darke used to come to the carol service and sit on the vicar's lap Canon Norman Motley. Fred and Peter Stevens were there. Home on bus and fast train and then to Vickie's to choose music for December and Songs of Praise. Home for dinner and Liz resting after going to London Transport museum with Louise and Ciarán, Did some reading of Cantwell-Smith on the bus and train. To Catenians with Colin. Provincial President's visit and lots of visitors. They liked the chocs I bought at Tescos.

Tuesday to return scores to Bromley public library - no interaction with staff at all! Had a sandwich and coffee at the parish church and went to Laurence Caldecote's recital. Christopher Town there. Nice to hear Harris Prelude in E flat again - Dad used to play that. Flor Peeters Aria, Darke, Smart - a pleasant programme. Laurence is based in Coventry. Served at farewell Mass for Archbishop Stack - I was book! Liz to Acton and I ate at Pret a Manger and to Vaughan House for inspiring session on Foretaste of heaven with Mark. Interesting discussion about getting people to join groups and I tried to change my meetings to Saturday nights without success - no room available. So I have pulled out of leading a Thursday group as room 1 is not suitable. Slept OK at Acton but woke early. Back to music with Tamba at Brentford. Merle was there with her Dad who no longer works at St Paul's school! To collect Liz's ring and it was not ready! To Mass at Chiswick and Fr Graham was on! ...

Watched comedy prom and enjoyed some of it. Reading text book and watched Seb Coe on finding ancestors. Took chorus score to Gill's and popped creditcard I found in hire car into hire office. Scott Farrell gave an excellent recital at Bormley Parish Church and was delighted to see me. He signed my Bach score and told me Rochester RSCM committee is disbanded! Bach, Jongen, Saint-Saens, Darke, David Liddle, Mendelssohn 3 - he told a lovely story of his teacher forgetting last movement and then finding the music and forgetting crescendo pedal was on! To pre-Prom talk with John Wilson and Ed Seckerson. The Prom was brilliant presenting film scores in the best possible way. Bought a programme which helped.

Thursday to Green champions meeting at the town hall and found out about new cleaning contract and refuse contractor and got leaflets. To the hospital for meeting with the consultant and staff - Grandma needs total care and gradually making progress on the swallow and speech - it will be a long haul. Bruce home for a few days. Friday to practice and covered all the June music although 2 were absent. Finished with "Locus iste" and I used Paul Brough's ideas. Nothing from St Peter and St Paul Clerkenwell so they must have appointed someone else - a lucky escape I think. Saturday to organists training day in Bromley based around 3 churches. With Adrian for accompaniment at Widmore Rd URC and Norman for improvisation at Trinity URC - very helpful. After lunch in the sunshine masterclass with Peter Wright with 4 scholars on Bach, Vierne and Franck - all gained mushc and phrased better and more musically. Did not get to hospital and Bruce wasn't well so he didn't either...

Here is Fr Michael with the Archbishop's chaplain at the musicians party last year on the same terrace! As I had the day off from Coulsdon (open air service for Pentecost in the park) we headed for the cathedral in a laden car. I was cross at Morning prayer and Consecration torch at 10.30 a.m. Mass. The boys sang the sequence "Veni sancte spiritus" beautifully and we had the Palestrina mass Dum complerentur and Tallis motet Loquebantur. Straight into 12 noon confirmation at which I was acolyte and the Archbishop preached a great homily. The 40 youngsters were confirmed on the sanctuary and stayed up there with their sponsors. Liz did the prayers and Fr Swavek went to tell her to get closer to the mike! The chaplain from Westminster school was sitting where the Archbishop of Canterbury sat for the installation! I cleared up and then into the hall for coke and nibbles. Lovely photo of Fr Michael and the 4 catechists then we went up to the terrace for a nice lunch with wine...