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Doors and the Big Chichester Sing

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 canticles and a Byrd anthem, Surge, illuminare Jerusalem.

I am advised Dame Patricia Routledge was at one of the morning services, as the Cathedral is her home church. Dear Hyacinth Bucket. While she likes to keep a low profile, and deserves to do so, I am counting that as a Clang.

Chichester Cathedral Song School is located up a spiral staircase.At one stage Leonie asked if anyone knew how many stairs there were. Of course I had already counted them. There were 41, and their depth was variable. And yesterday we ascended and descended 14 times. Much more challenging than our crypt stairs. Here is Archie at the bottom of the stairs to the Song School.


Dear Readers, I am enjoying your comments, and am particularly grateful to Stuart L who lets me know it is he who has commented. May I request others do likewise, if it is not too much trouble for you?

With our best thoughts to you all from 6 degree England to the heat of Australia. We are having a wonderful time but I know we miss our loved ones, and hold them in our hearts.

But to finish on a lighter note, here is James H escaping the music library. Yet another door.




I was also taken with the importance of the fire extinguishers in the Cathedral - this one was given its own Cross.



Cxx

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 30, 2019 at 5:37 AM

    The cool change has arrived in Adelaide. Gloria in excelsis Deo, as they say. We all feel human again, and can put on another layer for warmth's sake tonight. Stuart L

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 30, 2019 at 12:43 PM

    Is there a Cathedral Cat?😹😸😻

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bruce & Judy MunroDecember 30, 2019 at 6:09 PM

    with so many doors, crypts, staircases, tunnels and secret places please do not lose my precious treble grandsons! Thanks for your great blog keeping us in the loop.Judy M

    ReplyDelete

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