The organist librarian

A beautiful day again. To 10am Morning prayer at the cathedral - another fine homily from Archbishop Vincent and Victoria responsories and Anerio. To Methodist central hall (hot cross and coffee) walk to cathedral and back to the Abbey. More fine addresses especially the RN chaplain on the centurion at the Abbey. Saw Ann's husband briefly and congratulated him on receiving the Maundy. 3pm solemn liturgy - I was acolyte for the Blessed sacrament with Marcus (he says he prommed in gallery last year and it was cooler up there). The tabernacle could not be opened at first! Superb Bruckner, Victoria and Casals and another fine homily. Dash to station (Daniel apparently tried to catch up with me) 6pm rehearsal at Coulsdon and Cross of Christ at 7pm which went really well. We had 2 tenors and extra alto. To WHite Hart, Chipstead for Ruby mild well deserved! Vicky, Boweys, Withams, Molly and Susan came. An excellent idea! Vivky said her director of ordinands said Lent ends at 4pm on Good F...

Saturday took snacks to work and enjoyed the doughnuts! It was quite quiet and the park very pleasant. Lots in The Tablet again! At the choir meeting we did discuss discipline again and I pointed out that I did not always hear what people said and this could be worrying for me. I do rely on people asking to repeat sections if I am singing as well as playing. I should do most of the talking any way. To Vespers on High altar and Mass followed by procession to end Quarant'Ore. Liz was thurifer and I was acolyte - my candle went out in Ambrosden Avenue. Hugely amused by David's head popping up over the playground wall. Excellent singing from the Oratory school schola - Langlais Messe solennelle and Mendelssohn Lauda Sion and Cibavit. Home late and Liz went to Lerone's party in Streatham. Sunday choir sang well Gibbs 3 part setting and Attwood "Teach me O Lord". I went to cello and piano recital by David Tabbat and Guy Middlemiss - delightful Schumann, Faure, Ravel and...

Photos by David Grealey Woke early and spoke to Ann - it was some time since I had done so. She has Bible study on Wednesday evenings which doesn't always fit with me being available on Wednesday mornings. Mark is there for Easter and planning to come over in July so that will be nice. Claire is planning to go to Camp America. To Morning prayer with the choir singing Victoria and Anerio Christus factus est. As always the readings for today are inspiring and the Cardinal was accompanied for 4 priests in red copes. Thomas and Fr Swavek were the cantors. To the car for a sit down and reading last week's Tablet (the subscription still not sorted out!). To Westminster Abbey on the bus to join the procession of witness. There was an excellent tourn out including lots of cathedral folk. The hymns were supported by brass and members of the Passage carried the cross. I rather think more could be done to tell passersby what is happening. In Croydon we gave out leaflets explaining the pro...

Up early and did May music list. No sign of Ann on Skype. I swam 38 yesterday and 36 on Monday. To Town hall for Unison branch committee meeting and we heard about the proposed learning agreement. Buses and train to the Temple church for Ann-Elise Smoot's recital of Bach and Brahms Passiontide pieces. I thought "O wie selig" a tad fast and the registration of "Aus tiefer not" was too thick at the end. Martin Ball was there and surprised to see me as I vowed not to go there again after being locked out twice! Bus and millennium bridge to Tate Modern. My renewed card worked OK on the Horn exhibition which I did not much care for especially the room of photos of a woman looking at us! My card then did not work for the Russian exhibition so I will have to return. Giant spider in the hall. To the cathedral and arrived early so bought Tablet (at last - renewed subscription not come through yet). Served at Tenebrae which was broadcast on Radio 3 and the singing of Vict...

What an immense privilege to be mitre bearer for the Cardinal at this service which has such simple drama in a packed but empty church because the cross and candles have gone. I think particularly of Thomas the precentor, Fr Mark and tenor Nick standing before the throne waiting while the choir sings Bruckner "Christus factus est" and then they move to the pulpit to sing the Passion. The Cardinal spoke about Zimbabwe. The Veneration is always a deeply moving moment. We all genuflect 3 times keeping time with each other as we creep towards the cross held up before the high altar. The choir sang Improperia by Victoria. As the boys venerate the men sing Crux fidelis. We all kneel and sing "When I survey". At communion "Tristis est anima" of Poulenc and O vos omnes by Casals. Paul smiled when he commented that I had the mitre bearer's humeral veil tied at front and not at the back at the start - we got it right when I put it on at the end. Liz remained to ...