The organist librarian

Played Walther Jesu meine freude and Hurford on Song 34. We sang Come now O Prince of peace. Haunting simplicity. Sara Goatcher celebrated - no singing and long pauses. To the Works to collect sketch books and buy pastels. Clare came for coffee. To forum of Churches together in Crystal Palace at Spurgeons college. Fr Andrew spoke about Croydon mental health. Did not enjoy the Baptist songs with drums and tambourines. How art began with Anthony Gormley, Victorian Arts and crafts. Call the midwife and Les miserables excellent. 

We sang Malcolm Archer's delightful setting of Brightest and Best and I played Walther on Jesu meine freude and Von himmel hoch. It was good to be singing "Be still my soul" which always reminds me of Liz's Dad. Sleet and light snow!! At evensong we sang Brewer in D and Bullock Give us the wings of faith. To mosaic and then to USPG regional day in Great Suffolk Street which I enjoyed especially Helen on India.

We sang David Ogden's Christ has no body now but yours and I played Walther Jesu meine Freud and Clarke Trumpet voluntary. Excellent talk on the Church's year at St Paul's cathedral by Canon Mark Oakley.  At St John Upper Norwood we sang Greater Love (Liz sang the solo well) and Sumsion in G. Watched Call the midwife. I had a rest and did not go to Streatham mosque open day. 

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.

Broadcast from Brentwood cathedral. I  played Bach and Walther on Liebster Jesu, Couperin Duo and Karg-Elert Nun danket today. Fr Richard from St Mary Shortlands stood in for Fr Paul and we started rehearsing psalms for Holy Week. Sean appeared again in the porch. Liz went to the Science museum with Lou and the boys as Tom has a big interview today. I wathced the Carlos Acosta ballet programme. I met her at Kent House and at evensong we  sang Stanford in B flat and The heavens are telling at evensong. The hymn was "The spacious firmament on high". Cathy was dire again - bad vowels, out of tune. Bridget conducted and a stranger played the organ. Watched Call the midwife and deleted lots of emails and put others in folders.

Arrived to find a new Mass booklet for Advent including Kyries. Bill sang a Haugen one and found accompaniment in Alan's folder so we used that. 4 rehearsed carols - Debbie last to appear so missed warmup but she seemed to improve but was back to the bad forced tone during the service! We sang Wake o wake and I played the Bach and Walther also Bairstow on Veni emmanuel. Practised a bit before baptism at 12.30. Mandela described as a prophet. I suppose he was but he himself said he was no saint! And I'm not sure about his faith either. 

At church we sang Shaw in C minor in 3 parts and a lovely setting by Anthony Greening of Bourgeois' "Virgin-born we bow before thee" also one verse of "O thou who at thy Eucharist didst pray" as I rather felt the week of prayer for Christian unity had been downplayed. The booklet this year is excellent and I used one of the prayers at the interfaith group. I played Walther's partita on "Jesu meine freude" and Isobelle was baptised. To my surprise Vickie again included the Gloria (Peter Jones) and the service was an hour. Molly doing well and I practised Bach and Flor Peeters - I am playing several of his pieces next month. The organ recital at Beckenham is sensibly changed to the 7th at 3 p.m. Picked up Dennis and Grandma and to the Thatched house which is excellent and very child friendly. Ciarán was on good form. Had roast beef and sticky toffee pudding with white wine. What a treat! Took Christmas presents back to Acton and brought back stuff to...

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...