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
Lockdown restrictions mean that at present we cannot sing together in church. We can however sing – loud and proud – in our own homes! And it’ll take way more than a pesky global pandemic to stop us … More Lockdown Songs of Praise
For many, lockdown has been an incredibly difficult time of worry, isolation, ill-health, boredom and captivity. It has been tough, and will continue to be so for many months to come … More Lockdown Blessings
More correctly titled “Gaelic Blessing” but affectionately known throughout the music community as “Garlic Dressing”, this much-loved anthem by John Rutter (b. 1945) is based on the text of an ancient Gaelic rune … More Garlic Dressing
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 