It is three years since I took my first tentative steps into the wonderful world of choral conducting, and I have realised that choral conductors take many forms … More The Souls of the Righteous (Nares 1715-1783)
Welcome to our Digital Advent Calendar, which brings you a carol-a-day every day through Advent. We start with Maggie’s Music Makers singing Adam Lay Ybounden:
This article was written for the November 2017 edition of the parish magazine. A long time favourite, I was reminded of this hymn in May 2017 when I attended an Open Day at Trinity Laban Conservatoire with Jennifer. The last item on the schedule for prospective vocal applicants was a master class with mezzo soprano … More I Vow to Thee My Country words: Sir Cecil Spring Rice (1859-1918), music: Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
I was first introduced to the work of Will Todd in the summer of 2019 when the Manchester Chorale began rehearsing his “Mass in Blue” … More Like a Rainbow Shining – Will Todd (1970-present)
This article was written for the October 2017 edition of the parish magazine. According to Wikipedia, this is one of the most often performed hymns in the U.K. It even features in a shortened form as “All Good Gifts” in “Godspell”. We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it … More We Plough the Fields and Scatter
In stressful times we tend to look for comfort in the familiar. A book we love, a film that never ceases to bring a smile to our faces, a tried and tested recipe that we know we will enjoy. Sometimes I find myself humming hymn tunes I knew as a child. One in particular resonates at this harvest time … More Great is Thy Faithfulness
Love it or loathe it (and there are many who loathe it, mainly cellists), Pachelbel’s Canon in D is famous. Instantly recognisable, it is the processional piece of choice for countless weddings the world over … More Canon in D – Pachelbel (1653-1706)
This article was written for the September 2017 edition of the parish magazine. Published in 1911, Vaughan Williams set the words of Herbert’s poem The Call to music as one of a larger work, set of Five Mystical Songs. This song collection used four of Herbert’s poems, published in 1633 as “The Temple: Sacred Poems”. … More The Call – George Herbert (1593-1633)/Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Rev Deborah starts Peregrini Prayer each morning with a short story. It is always linked to the forthcoming bible reading and the theme for the day’s prayers … More He Ain’t Heavy
This article first appeared in the September 2017 issue of the parish magazine. You can read it again here: This is one of my favourite hymns, learned at High Down County Junior School, Portishead, back in the 1970s, and always sung with gusto by everyone present. I never quite understood who Julie was, nor why … More O Jesus I Have Promised
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 