Christine's Blog

Dear Reader Just popping in to wish you every blessing for the new decade. May you be safe, well and in the company of those you love this New Year. Cxx

Dear Reader In my Father’s House there are many rooms, our Lord told us. In this Lord’s House on earth there were many doors we could enter in this holy place. Yesterday we sang the three services traditionally sung in Cathedrals across England, Matins, Eucharist and Evensong. I thought I had best add the musical menu for you. Matins We sang Hunt responses, Howells Te Deum and Jubilate, the Trebles sang JV Peters’ arrangement of Away in a Manger, the Venite and the psalm appointed, along with a hymn. Eucharist This occurred after a 15 minute break from Matins. The mass setting was Dove and the motet was Gjielo’s Ubi Caritas. The psalm appointed was sung to two different chants. There were a bucket load of hymns, including Love came down at Christmas (hey, Mum, they had the tune for us!) Evensong The trebles had an evening off, while your intrepid Lay Clerks sang the service. We really enjoyed the intimacy of this service where we sang Rose responses, Ives Magdalen cant...

Dear Reader Random thoughts from random tourists about what is good and what is not: Good Patting a pony or two Red Phone boxes From the trebles - not having to sing Evensong, which was because the Lay Clerks sang it From the Lay Clerks - singing Evensong Squirrels Interesting doors Being in Chichester Cathedral  The music Marc Chagall window Not A flickering lamp in the treble row of the Choir Stalls Being super tired Long plane flights Wrangling trebles who need to stay up so they can overcome their jet lag More later... Cxx

Dear Reader Lest you think we are just on holiday, here is proof we really came to sing. This photo was taken after our first Evensong tonight. The musical menu included Sanders Responses, Brewer in D Canticles and Wilberforce My Musick Comes, as well as the psalm for the day and two hymns. More about our activities tomorrow after some sleep. PS, we ran into former Organ Scholar and Alto, Alana Brook and her boyfriend, Joe, who travelled all the way from Lincoln to see us and be at Evensong tonight. Cxx

Dear Reader We have arrived and are safely in our hotel in Chichester. The rooms are very comfortable and the shower was magnificent.The first shower of a tour is a truly wonderful experience after hours of travel. ... so I fell asleep before finishing this. Hardly surprising. This is now being written after a hearty English breakfast. And I can confirm the beds are supremely comfortable.  There is one first world problem with this hotel. The wifi is broken. This prompted an early venture down the high street in search of English SIM cards for the millennials. A number of us chose the Three Shop, and I can confirm that Sophie, Jules and I all got connected. There was a collective sigh from the young ones as they resumed their ability to be in touch with the world. Or at least with their mates.  Today we visit our first Cathedral - St Richard of Chichester. More on that later.  But in the interest of getting this posted before the Aussies go to bed, here is a p...

Dear Reader The Choir Tour Group has safely arrived in Doha Airport where your correspondent is sitting quietly typing, having fulfilled the most basic of morning requirements, a decent cup of coffee. I was blessed to join the Wells Family for this treat, and despite expectations, my heart rate did not soar with the double espresso.  Departure from Adelaide was not without its challenges. Despite the best efforts of our marvellous travel agent, Tania, and the intrepid tour leaders Bec and Penny, there were a few issues with the excess cases for our robes and music, and with the seating arrangements. However, after a Matilda from the Choir and a blessing from the Dean we safely boarded and travelled the nearly 14 hours to Doha. We have a short layover now before heading to Gatwick.  The title of this post comes from the wonderful David Heah, Cathedral Organist, who was captured in this image doing some work for his “other” job. He graciously posed for this picture, and lo...

Dear Reader Today is the day.  We had a beautiful Christmas, where we were able to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child and remember those affected by bushfires and other losses. Now I am about to have some family time before heading off to the airport. What is done is done. What is not done will just have to wait until I get home.  My suitcase is in another room, but here are the ones with Choir robes and music. I will be trying to post daily, but please forgive if I get too tired. Cxx

Dear Reader As we prepare for our tour to colder climes I am mindful of those who are affected by bush fires on this, a catastrophic fire day in Adelaide. The fire in the Adelaide Hills looks particularly nasty. And across our country there are still fires out of control.  Please join me in praying for those affected and for the women and men fighting the fires.  Stay safe, everyone. And if you need it, there is always a place for you and your animals at my home.  Cxx

Dear Reader  Please find below a list of our singing dates. I will update the exact times when I become more aware of them, as there may be some fluidity. Please check back closer to the dates in question, as I will post updates, rather than editing this post.  One week today and we will be on our way! At the end of the list you will find the link to the St Peter's Cathedral website where you can find the musical menu. I will also keep you posted about that as we go.  CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 17:30 – 18:15 Evensong  SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 10:00 – 10:45 Matins  11:00 – 12:30 Eucharist  15:30 – 16:15 Evensong (Lay Clerks) CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 15:15 – 16:00 Evensong TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 15:15 – 16:00 Evensong CC WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 15:15 – 16:00 Evensong THURSDAY 2 JANUARY 17:30 – 18:15 Evensong (Lay Clerks) FRIDAY 3 JANUARY 17:30 – 18:15 Evensong  LONDON WESTMINSTE...

We have just had our last tour rehearsal and packed the first sets of music. It is now really getting real. Here is my T-shirt from the Elton John Concert, which has a familiar image...

Dear Reader I have now decided to see whether I am able to reduce my luggage by one item, my Notebook computer, which along with its charger weighs nearly 1kg. If I can successfully use my iPad to upload photos from the camera and send them here to the blog, then that will help.  By the way, we leave in exactly one month! Christine Dear Reverend Jenny after St Cecelia celebrations A random picture of the Daintree

So Dear Reader Here we are again, so close to the next Tour. We leave Australia on Boxing Day.  I thought I should check to see whether the Blog will work after five years. Here’s hoping Christine