I learned this contemporary setting of the Ave Maria in the autumn of 2016, ready for a tour to Belgium with the Manchester Chorale. We were due to sing it during a mass at a large church in Beveren, near to Antwerp. Written in Latin by a young Norwegian composer, the text is … More Second Eve – Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
The “Gloria”, or Greater Doxology is sung in churches every Sunday all over the world, unless of course it is either Lent or Advent. As you probably know, this hymn begins with the words that the angels sang to announce the birth of Christ to shepherds in Luke 2:14 … More Gloria
As members of Maggie’s Music Makers are learning, there are many, many languages to sing in, and English is quite possibly the worst of the lot … More Bogoroditse Devo (Rachmaninov arr. Apperley)
Since joining the Manchester Chorale in April 2016 I have been introduced to a wealth of new choral music, some sacred, some secular, and some – like “Stars” – that seems to build a bridge between the two … More Stars – Erik Esenvalds (b. 1977)
No, there’s not a typo in the title! – although that’s what the ladies of the choir thought when first introduced to this anthem a couple of years ago … More Wash Me Throughly
Back in my twenties, when asked to name my favourite composer, I often surprised people by answering Mark Knopfler. These days, I am equally likely to surprise people by naming Karl Jenkins … More The Armed Man: a mass for peace – Karl Jenkins (1944-present)
This song refers to Jesus as the “Spotless Rose”, and tells us that he will be born of Mary, descended from Jesse, and that she will be pure. Mary is the “tender root”, and the rosebud (Jesus) will blossom on a cold night in the middle of winter … More A Spotless Rose
I still remember vividly the complete shock I experienced one December at school around five years ago. I had volunteered to organise and run the whole school assembly on the last afternoon of term, immediately before breaking up for the Christmas holidays … More Christmas Carols
I don’t remember how long ago this was introduced at St Margaret’s, possibly Advent 2010, possibly earlier, but I do remember being stunned that all the solo verses were written – quite unusually – for the alto voice … More This is the Record of John – Gibbons
A long time favourite, I was reminded of this hymn in May 2017 when I attended an Open Day at Trinity Laban Conservatoire … More I Vow to Thee My Country
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 