Skip to main content

Royal Peculiars and other Odd Things

Dear Reader

Sorry for the delay in posting, pics in particular. I am currently about a Pat Cash serve away from Windsor Castle and think it just might be interfering with the Internet. So I will post text now and pics as soon as I can.

Today belonged to our Sovereign Lady, Elizabeth Our Queen. We visited Hampton Court Palace this afternoon after being at Mattins at Chichester this morning, as spectators rather than singers. At Hampton Court we were present for Evensong, making up more than 75% of the congo, I think. Mens Voices only this evening, which was interesting. More vibrato than I am used to, although the Cantor at Chichester sounded more crooner than RSCM. Both services today gave us more insight into our tradition, which is what it is about, really.

Our own "royal" Marie McCreadie, Alison Campbell's Mum, was at Evilsnog last night. While she is much more frail than last time I saw her, she was delighted to see us, and we her. Thanks to Isabel (Alison's sister) for getting her there.

In response to Stuart Langshaw's question, Nareen will not hear for about a fortnight about her RSCM exam. But both Nareen and Alana as accompanist felt very positive about it and she sounded great as we went past. Timing turned out to be of the essence, as Nareen and Maddie both have colds, as do a few others on the tour, especially girls. As nominated Health Officer I have found myself dispensing paracetamol etc; I'm so glad we sought parent permission for all of this before we left Australia, as I do feel concerned that I am practising medicine without a license, and with doctors' kids!

So tomorrow morning we are in Windsor and thence to Aylesbury where we will sing a concert with 12 items, two from memory. I know, because the Music Team got all 37 folders together with the 10 pieces we needed and the 3 for Rome, so we have officially FINISHED with music sorting for this tour. That is a Royal Blessing!

TOO tired. More tomorrow...

Cxxx

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 10, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Evilsnog?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 10, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Sorry about the first comment! As you come towards the end of the England part of the tour and to the concert, it's no wonder that a few health issues have arisen. You are all constantly thought of by us all at SPC - Dean Sarah encourages us to log onto the 2 blogs. Keep up the good work. I was Cantor at Evensong (aka Evilsnog) last night, with 31 people in the Choir Stalls and Joan C-B with a good sermon about John the Baptist. See you all soon.'

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Big One, St Paul’s

  Dear Reader Today was the Big Event of tour. St Paul’s Cathedral, London. If you are observant, you will notice my absence from the photo above, along with several of my colleagues. Sadly, this happened.  After nearly four years and six vaccinations I finally succumbed to the dreaded Covid. At the worst possible time. My multiple vax status has meant I only feel a bit rotten, like a cold, but I do feel sad to have missed the day. And to miss Windsor tomorrow. I was grateful for the considered medical advice provided by Dr Ritesh, father of one of the trebles, who also updated my supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen.  So I am relying on others for the report about this special day.  The good bits started with four of the young Lay Clerks heading to St Paul’s for singing lessons with my friend Patrick Craig, who is an Alto Lay Vicar at St Paul. In have yet to hear from Nicholas, Marco, Charlie or James, but Patrick was very complimentary about their singing. This is what he said: Such a
10 comments
Read more

And now the deadline is hours away...

Dear Reader! What an amazing fortnight we have had! We have rehearsed every Saturday as well as Friday. And sung on Sundays.  We travelled to Victor Harbour to sing to a capacity congregation for Lessons and Carols. Yamba had a ball.  We have done our Christmas Rounds - Lessons and Carols, Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. Precious Lillian was privileged (and rather nervous) to bring the sweet Baby Jesus into the Cathedral at Midnight Mass. She performed her duties beautifully. Zoom in to the second picture and you can see just how wonderful she was.  And now there are bags of robes and music in my front room, ready for the 6:45am departure.  Dear Reader, Please remember us in your thoughts and/or your prayers (whatever works for you) as we prepare for this big adventure.  Off we go. Christine 💖
3 comments
Read more

Worcester - that’s a wrap

  Dear Reader Well, that’s a wrap. After a free morning to shop, skate, scoff scones or the like, we boarded the coach to Worcester. Annabel Crompton continued the proud tradition set by her late father, the beloved Prof David Thomas, and shared history and interesting information about the Cathedral, always including the South Australian connections. We had a very warm welcome from the Interim Dean, Canon Stephen, and Anita the Virger. On the musical menu was Hunt Versicles and Responses, Howells in G Canticles and Be Present O Merciful God  by Australian composer, Owen Elsley. I thought the Anthem went particularly well. We sang two psalms, 131 to a Willcocks chant and 132 to a chant by a random (will update later). Turns out the second chant was by Richard Massey. David played a beautiful postlude, Rhapsody by Daniel Cook (b1979). When we arrived in Worcester it lived up to the reputation England has for wet and rather miserable weather, so we headed straight into the building out o
7 comments
Read more