The organist librarian

Interesting to take part in auditions for new director at St John's. Both good but the second was more challenging and flamboyant. William McVicker very good, Kathie not there, To West Norwood to park and cappuccino at Cafe Cappadocia. Excellent lunch to celebrate Dennis's 40th. Claire and Rosemary came. Over an hour before food came. I had steak and sticky toffee pudding. We went to cathedral. Christ the King and 2 servers got badges Paul in good mood. Fr John. Cardinal Vaughan school sang Mozart and Viadana. To Glyn close for cake and Claire still there. Henry to bed. Programme on bridges. 

To Sisters of Sion Chepstow Villas for illustrated talks on women of the Bible in art by Anne McGough. Sr Margaret Shepherd told me about her dealings with the Vatican and Bishops conference. Collected Parish choirbooks from Bloomsbury Baptist and heard part of Nicholas Wearne's recital. Traffic very bad because of Pride march so tube to Victoria. Martin Plunkett gave an excellent homily and Excelsis sang at Mass. To West Wickham for organists dinner and William William R McVicker  and Revd Bill Bowman were entertaining.

To Festival Hall and listened to Christina Ortiz play on In Tune in the foyer then to talk on the organ with William McVicker and John Scott. He described his first encounter with the organ in 1973 when Ralph Downes changed the first lesson from the oratory and he played the St Anne fugue! The concert was magnificent - Marchand, Buxtehude, Bach, Mozart and Dupre and fiendish Liszt in the second half. I had scores for 3 of the pieces and his technique is immaculate. The Vaughns and Dibbs were there also the Harpers and Harry Bramma.

Swam as usual Thursday and Friday. To Catenian council meeting at Brendan's and then Xin restaurant in West Wickham for delicious Chinese meal with lots of variety although never very filling. At the very end Jim swung the circular table centre round and a glass of tonic water went all over my trousers! In the car and home to change! Liz was at confirmation class and late back. Friday more weeding and tidying up - I even found a Christmas decoration behind the fax machine! Off at 5 and to Thornton Heath and Josie's road where Liz got fish and chips. Louise and Ciarán at home and he enjoyed his bath. They had visited Grandma. To choir practice - organ is out of tune and I will use piano on Sunday. The choir were arguing again about tempi, leaving out notes, you name it. At one point I said "Who's conducting this choir any way?" Also a question about Good Friday just as we were about to rehearse an item. They are infuriating. Watched "Embarrassing bodies"....