The organist librarian

Played Michael Fleming's variations on Noel nouvelet and Slater Easter Alleluia. We sang "Sing God's Easter people sing" arranged John Barnard. Also Christopher Jones' splendid hymn "Faith overcomes" to Highworth by Terry - I think his widow lives locally. Also "O food of pilgrims" to the sublime Innsbruck. After 2 years I again found time to go through the organ music left by a predecessor and found some goodies. It does seem strange that he left all this music which is valuable. I seem to inherit organ music Dad, Alan now Paul and interesting the similar repertoire lots of Bach, English and French, Buxtehude. Enjoyed Rejoice in the Lamb from Norwich cathedral choral evensong. Well done Guildford for choral evensong for St Mark. I remember that hymn from my childhood at St Mark's Yeoville. Simon Schama brought Civilisations to a fine end. The Durrells excellent. I had not seen Wilkie Collins as a feminist - Woman in White episode 2.

At Coulsdon we sang the Benedictus to an Anglican chant and Sumsion in F and John Barnard's arrangement of "Lord I want to be a Christian". We also sang "And can it be" one of Wesley's finest. Teresa gave a fine sermon about how we got our names. Just like Elizabeth, my Mum insisted on my name being John despite my Dad being Francis and my Granddad Frank. I always identified with John the Evangelist. I practised "O happy day" with Generations (the bride to be very happy with it!) and was pleased that they knew Mike Anderson's "clapping" Gloria. I also worked on Mandelssohn 5th sonata and the Widor Toccata. Buses home and quick lunch and train to London Bridge. Fine evensong at Southwark cathedral and Ellie and lots of others got their RSCM awards. Harwood in A flat and the Barnard taken slower than I did it. I do tend to play too quickly. Desmond Tutu preached there this morning - I should love to meet him and Nelson Mandela. Daniel ...