I believe
December 1, 2019
As many readers know, for the past two years I have been a regular attendee at Sing for Pleasure choral singing leadership and conducting courses … More I believe
Category: music
The Sound of Silence
November 10, 2019
Perhaps one of music’s most infamous compositions is John Cage’s 1952 piece, 4’33” (pronounced Four Minutes Thirty Three Seconds, or more simply, Four-Thirty Three) … More The Sound of Silence
Thank You Lord
November 1, 2019
One of my favourite songs in the Sunday School Repertoire is Thank You Lord, by Mark & Helen Johnson of Out of the Ark Music. I tend to drop it into our weekly singing practices whenever I feel there is something to be grateful for … More Thank You Lord
Jerusalem William Blake (1757-1827) and Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918)
October 20, 2019
Which of us has not ever sung “Jerusalem”? … More Jerusalem William Blake (1757-1827) and Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918)
Harvest
October 6, 2019
Rev Deborah’s Harvest Sermon at St Margaret’s on Sunday 6 October was a fully interactive affair, and included a run-down of our Eco Week activities … More Harvest
Autumn Days – E White (1925-2011)
October 1, 2019
This is a well-established favourite of our Sunday School! I think the children would choose to sing it every week if they could, but they are strictly limited to autumn only … More Autumn Days – E White (1925-2011)
“There is a Country Far Beyond the Stars” Parry (1848-1918)
September 20, 2019
Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 1st Baronet, was an English composer, probably best known for stirring hymns and anthems such as “Jerusalem” and “I Was Glad” … More “There is a Country Far Beyond the Stars” Parry (1848-1918)
I Will Come To You – M Fairbairn (b. 1986)
September 1, 2019
Like many of the pieces I write about in this blog, I was introduced to this song at a rehearsal of the Manchester Chorale. We were learning it for our summer concert programme in 2018 … More I Will Come To You – M Fairbairn (b. 1986)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – J S Bach (1685-1750)
August 20, 2019
This article first appeared in the August 2016 issue of our parish magazine. you can read it again here: This is the most common English title for the 10th and last movement of the cantata “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben”, BWV 147 (“Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life”), composed by Johann Sebastian … More Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – J S Bach (1685-1750)
Give Me Strength (Sioux trad., arr. Chilcott)
August 1, 2019
This is essentially a Native American prayer set to music by legendary jazz composer Bob Chilcott. I had to learn this piece thoroughly (and quickly) for a weekend of conductor training with Sing for Pleasure … More Give Me Strength (Sioux trad., arr. Chilcott)
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 