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...

Oh bliss Oklahoma on TV remembering our canyons trip and the John Wilson Prom. Yesterday I was playing The King and I on the piano - great songs! Liz went to get her hair done. What I heard of Kings sounded lovely. At vespers at the cathedral we had Buxtehude Magnificat and Victoria O magnum mysterium. At 6 p.m. We had blessing of the crib and exchoristers singing Reger. Just spoke to the family in Oz on Facetime. Santa arrived! Carols from King's on TV. Superb tenor solo in the Darke and a Muslim woman reading the Annunciation - Yes! Love the new carol Judith Weir - it really is a carol. What I love about Christmas is how music brings back so many lovely memories especially Mum and Dad and so many wonderful Christmas celebrations in Joburg, Cornhiil, the cathedral, Addiscombe, Coulsdon, Beckenham and now Caterham not to mention Oz and India. And not to forget visiting Bethlehem 3 times! Delivered the circle records to Derrick so he can continue the history. Mi...

Up at 6.30 a.m. 2 buses to Caterham as train replaced by bus at that time but now running. Played Gordon Slater on "St Botolph" as we sang my favourite Marian hymn "For Mary mother of our Lord". Beautiful tune. I am afraid " Shall we not love thee mother dear" feels very Victorian. We sang "People look East" which seems very appropriate as people were very busy after service preparing for Christingle and Midnight. I think I have 4 sopranos tonight so descants are on. Lloyd Webber on Helmsley a great piece and also played Noel pour L'Amour de Marie. Compliments about carol service but more importantly ecumenical first.  Washing put away, presents wrapped, dishwasher loaded. Delicious ham lunch with squeak and Aldi Chrstmas pudding. Can now settle down to listen to King's - let Christmas begin!  Served at 6 p.m. mass at the cathedral which was packed. Blessing of the crib. Ex-choristers sang lovely Reger and Stille nacht. Missa de angelis...

Friday 27th a quiet day at home catching up on emails, etc. and watching Father Brown X 2! University challenge X 3. Saturday to Bloomsbury Baptist for the excellent organ day. Had to drag myself away from Dame Gillian Weir's masterclass on Bach and Franck. She really told us how to play rhythmically. The RCO students with Simon Williams did well.    William Whitehead told us about progress on the Orgelbuchlein project which will feature at the Proms on Reformation Sunday. He played pieces by Ronnie Krippner and Gabriel Jackson. Alexander Binns played Bach and Herbert Brewer and Paul Hale told us all about Binns organs. To vespers and Mass and Peter Stevens played Dorian toccata. Lots of servers. Sunday back to Caterham and trains OK. I played prelude for Candlemas and Moore Light of the nations. Vi and Peter in choir and we managed Nunc dimittis chanted. The communion hymn needs to be on organ. I think Jerry needs to choose well-known hymns to start and at communion. I playe...

Saturday to coffee and apple cake at St John's and I went to the Swiss Church for recital byDr John Kitchen Edinburgh City organist. A fine organ and ideal for Praetorius, Pachelbel, Krebs, Purcell, Russell, etc. 20 there. Home to watch Come dine with me. Mass at Anerley. Watched Still open all hours and Story of China with Michael Wood.

Woke early right knee hurting so tried cold and heat. I played Handel largo, Water music, March from Scipio and Royal fireworks (for the Royal christening) also Elgar Chanson de matin. We sang Come let us join, All things bright, He who would valiant be and There's a   wideness in God's mercy. Paul played really well and I turned over. 25 came and lovely tea. 

Friday was a quiet day. I went to Bedford Park to hear Paul Rosoman play very well indeed, Bach B minor, Pachelbel, Bonnet and Lustig. Met him afterwards. There were 23 there and met a lady from Oz and one who ws interested in the Beckenham series! Sean messed up Ciaran's lego car and was very reluctant to say sorry. "No I can't, it's boring". Even Ciaran was laughing! Tom brought in Indian dinner - very tasty. Saturday Louise back from New York but I had already left for Hounslow interfaith walk which was well policed and organised and we kept more to time. Started at Hindu temple, then the large C of E Holy Trinity built in 1964 with fine stained glass and art works. Lunch at the R.C. church where I Frs Kevin and Kim and Deacon Cyril. Fr Kevin gave a good talk on the saints. Interesting chats about education and politics. The 2 MPs and the Mayor of Hounslow came. The mosque is impressive and we finished at the large Gurdwara when I left to get the train back to...

I played a rather unusual interlude on Aus der Tiefe by Henrik Andriessen, Willan on Southwell and Pachelbel fugue on "When Jesus stood at the cross". 2  practised for Holy Week and I practised Bach and Gigout Toccata. Fr Paul was pretty scathing about the Bishop and suprised when I praised Justin Welby. It seems Fr Leon is area Dean and will be looking after us but he has not been in touch with Paul. Later Fr Andrew said Fr Leon is a good singer and loves music. Liz was serving at the rite of election so I changed the bolt on the door in the hall which took about an hour - there is always one screw which will not come out! I watched Indian summers which is excellent. Went to Lent group at the vicarage. Nobody was introduced and we spent 35 minutes reading the chapter so Bridget and I had to leave near the start of the discussion! Adrian and Terence are back from India and we sang Batten and Byrd Civitas sancti. Did the mosaic design and wrote a letter about the hearing aid ...

Liz served at the rite of election - 700 in Westminster diocese becoming Catholics this year! I went to St Margaret's Westminster for the annual day of prayer ably led by Canon Andrew Bishop of Guildford. Canon Jane Hedges got a clap on becoming Dean of Norwich! The subject was sleep and prayer and it was fascinating. We were reminded of the importance of "hallowed sleep" and the usefulness of Ignatian examen before sleep. "Being prayer than 'I am now going to pray'". A gift to be received rather than a decision to be made. When am I truly myself? Asleep or awake? Or both. The best way to flatter someone is to say "Oh you must be so busy". The danger of a sense of indispensability. The Abbey is not ideal for this. It took 10 minutes to go to the loo, 15 minutes to get a coffee, so many people I never got into the shrine or Henry VII chapel. The garden was not open although it was a lovely day so I ate my picnic in the cloisters and got chattin...

Woke early and then late so no swim again. It is hot! Worked on dissertation and reached 8200 words. Stephen rang (ex-Ajahn Santacitto) and we will meet on the 23rd. Michael asked to change the tutorial date from Friday. Invited for interview for Spidir course next Friday which doesn't really suit as Ann will be here. Cleaned bathroom and toilet. Took bike back to garage as buyer never came and got keyboard for Saturday. To St Patrick Soho for the last of 4 excellent recitals by Patrick Russill. Sat behind William Whitehead who was chatty. Good programme including Stanley and William Russell. Home to watch 3 leave the Apprentice. 

Richard Blackford's "Mirror of perfection" was featured on The Choir on Radio 3. It is worth hearing! Vespers from Liverpool Metropolitan featuring Pachelbel. An exciting new piece by Roxanna Panufnik for the Choirbook for the Queen - Joy at the sound.

To Brentford and Ciarán and Merle enjoyed Tamba's session - having a break form it really worked! Nice korma lunch and Ciarán was dropping off so happily went in the buggy. It was a very wet day. To cathedral for Grand organ festival. Winfried Bónig of Cologne cathedral played really well. Bach, Pachelbel (did not know he was offered an Oxford post!) Mozart and Karl Hóller. Read Tablet and Paul Harris on meditation. Chris at Catenians on Tuesday told a story about a 21 year old playing at Cologne without permission and not being stopped because he was good - I was unimpressed!

At Coulsdon we sang O taste and see by Vaughan Williams an exquisite miniature written for the Queen's coronation in 1953. Hymns included "O thou who at thy Eucharist didst pray" "I come with joy" and "The God of Abram praise" and I played "Von himmel hoch" by Pachelbel. Home for a quick lunch and to British Museum for the community preview of Hajj exhibition - fascinating and 5 of the group came. Met Louise and Bruce for tea which was a nice surprise. Lovely dinner at Rosemary and Lynn's/

Baptism at Coulsdon so no Gloria. 7 in choir including Bob and Tony Trent (no choral services at Croydon Parish Church for 2 weeks!) We sang Coventry carol and I played Pachelbel "Von himmel hoch" and a rather attractive piece on Coventry Carol by Gordon Phillips. Tony was going on about a boys choir again so he spoke to Vicky. We met again and talked about the ethos of the church and choir discipline. Practised in a cold church and home for lunch. Liz had been to the sales and got Christmas cards. Watched Kings carols, Vasari, How to build a cathedral, Peterborough cathedral midnight Mass with excellent sermon by the Dean. Did Christmas Tablet crossword and quiz. Wrote to editor about Fr Aidan Rossiter's new word "Willcoxian" -should it be "Willcocksian"?

The choir at Coulsdon sang well today - Nicholson in G (I sang in the tenor in the short unaccompanied sections) and L.J.White Prayer of St Richard of Chichester. I have known this anthem since I was a boy. In the second verse the descant follows the tune just like in the prayer - the pilgrim follows Christ! It is simple and beautiful. I played Walther on "Jesu meine freude" and Pachelbel "Von himmel hoch" as we are still celebrating Epiphany with the crib under the altar. I practised the Hummel from the D minor Mass for Kevin Munro's funeral on Tuesday. Home for lunch (microwaved dinner like Grandma has) and skype to Liz in Dublin. At vespers I was crucifer and the choir superb in Lassus and Palestrina. To M and S for cappucino and cappucino cake - very indulgent! Organ recital was Matthew and Oliver in duet. Amazing Mozart 40th symphony Allegro and Wesley duet sparkling playing. Thomas played for 5.30 Mass and I was cantor. Skipped opening item - no sign of th...