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Phil T

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Everything posted by Phil T

  1. How about doing some music by Moore, Shephard, Archer, or slightly older, Leighton, Mathias etc, or is that not the sort of modern choral (s)he was referring to?
  2. Unfortunately I’ve had experience of this hymnbook and everything you say is so true. To say “simplified harmonies” is to do it justice, it’s not that good. At best the harmonies are weak, at worst they’re plain unmusical. You have to wonder what makes a church throw out a perfectly good hymnbook and replace it with H O & N.
  3. Phil T

    Worcester Cathedral

    Delvin, I can see that you’re very passionate about this subject, but the decision has been made. We should thank Adrian for sharing all he has and hope he will continue to do so. I’m sure the choices at Worcester were made after much careful thought and with an eye for the future as well as the present.
  4. Sean, is there something you're not telling us?
  5. I don’t like Mission Praise either, but doing in the priest is a little excessive. This question has been asked many times on this board, but why do priests insist on dropping older hymns for anything modern?
  6. The organ at Kingston parish church has see through swell shutters. I’m not sure what they’re made out of. It’s not an instrument I’m particularly fond of, but I’m sure there are others who think it’s great. Here's a picture
  7. You’re right; bringing the scriptures alive is the point of any church/cathedral choir. How they achieve it is, I guess, completely irrelevant. I can’t help but have a touch of respect for those who can sight read to such a high level. How long does the average cathedral choir (not the top line) rehearse for? The rehearsals that I’ve seen (granted not a huge amount) amount to not much more than a balance check with one or two key entries.
  8. I’ve often thought what sets apart a cathedral choir from others is their ability to turn up and just sing whatever music is set for the day. Unfortunately, not all cathedral choirs are equal. I’ve sung at a couple of cathedrals and always after long rehearsals. The long rehearsals usually iron out mistakes but some how rob some of the sparkle. Tiredness nearly always shows up in the voice.
  9. As I’ve said before on this board, if Hope-Jones had stuck to his original brief then you (Worcester) would have two fine Hill organs which could have been played independently from each other or both at the same time from a singular console. But then time travel isn’t possible?
  10. I’ve just noticed that evensong is coming from Rochester this week. I always look forward to services/recordings from there, as the quality of singing is usually outstanding. I wonder what part DHM will sing? The BBC web site makes no mention if it will be the boys, girls or both singing?
  11. I must say, that’s very good of you, I’ve been to Gibraltar many times and never made it to any of the cathedrals although I did run up the rock once. At risk of sounding picky, Gibraltar isn’t an island, it borders with Spain, the border being set by the range of the defending guns of the time. Whilst a visit to the top of the rock is well worth it (to see the apes) so is a visit to St Michaels’ caves.
  12. I’ve always fancied either “Lord, let me know mine end” (Maurice Green) or “I was glad” (Parry) as an anthem and Vierne 6th symphony Final. Strange choices maybe, but I like them.
  13. That’s a good idea, but are these hymns known to the hatching, matching and despatching brigade? I went to my cousins wedding, beautiful church etc, but no choir. Had my dad and I not sung, then it would have been an organ solo for two of the three hymns. When this happens you kind of think, what’s the point of having hymns at all? As for organ music, only the local organist knows what pieces work on their particular organ, and should advise the couple accordingly.
  14. One of the problems for blushing brides (and their grooms) is choosing hymns that non-church going people know. “Morning has broken” and Jerusalem are two that are generally well known to the hatching, matching and despatching brigade.
  15. I have this recording. According to the notes, it was inspired by a concert given to commemorate the rebuilding of the organ. Despite the occasional bout of “pub” singing from the choir, it’s a very good recording.
  16. Having just listened to Sunday Worship, you’re right Adrian, there will be some who won’t appreciate it. One thing that struck me was how familiar it all was, so I looked back and found THIS. BBC R3 Link
  17. I too was listening via the internet (listen again), however I only got as far as the first psalm before switching off. This is very much a personal taste thing, but the introit (sorry Cecilia McDowall) just didn’t work for me. Whist the responses and 1st psalm were better, to save any further disappointment, I just switched off.
  18. I assume that these scales (from top to bottom) are post warm up?
  19. I apologise if anybody found anger in any of my postings, it certainly wasn’t my intention. I read an article that singing is more natural than speech. If I can find the article then I’ll put the link on here. The problem arises when people try to modify vowel sounds or produce notes outside their natural range or at unnatural volumes. This can cause throat problems, which if left uncorrected will eventually cause damage.
  20. I’ve seen two approaches to this quandary. One, do it as an “anthem” the previous week. Two, have a small “teach in” before the service proper starts.
  21. The English language is littered with odd pronunciations. I live in Helens Borough, which is spelt Helensburgh. In the hymn we’re talking about, the “Ho” falls on the strong beat of the bar and the “lee” on the weak, hence I sing “HO lee” not “ho LEE”.
  22. At my local church the vicar’s wife chooses the hymns. She likes her happy clappy and dislikes older hymns. Not a week goes by when we don’t get a printed sheet with either words or words and music. Just to show how much thought goes into the choice of evensong hymns, last year we had “Awake, awake, shake off the night”.
  23. PC or not, I just don’t get why you/we can’t sing “Holy” as it’s said? I see why you want shading, but that’s how I’d naturally sing it anyway (see previous post). If you sing with a relaxed jaw and a good support of air (diaphragm), then most vowel sounds sort themselves out (as I’m sure has been mentioned by someone else).
  24. As you say, it’s very much down to personal preference. I’d be inclined to stress the first syllable rather than reduce or change the second.
  25. Ah, I must learn to read properly. Back to these vowel sounds then.
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