Phil T

International Standard (SI) units and scientific notation are two separate things. The International Standard (SI) unit for length is the meter. In scientific notation it’s convention to use 10x10 to 0 (unit), 10x10-3 (milli), 10x10-6 (micro), 10x10-9 (nano) etc, so you’re right, cm isn’t scientific notation, but then this isn’t science.

Where copy right permits, there is nothing to stop you scanning in scores to programs like Sibelius. You can edit (correct any mistakes) and print out at will. I’ve not scanned any scores myself, but have printed music out using Sibelius. The quality is very good.

PNCDs reply certainly ties in with what I’ve heard from a very good friend who also regularly deps at both of these establishments. It’s such a shame. I thought Helensburgh in Scotland had the highest number of millionaires per square mile?

“…whether or not a musician believes in God should be an issue, so long as they are able to contribute effectively to the spiritual welfare of the place and do not sow any disharmony.” I couldn’t agree with you more VH. There shouldn’t be a distinction between cathedrals and parish churches but I do believe (only my opinion) there is one.

Um, err, no. Lay Vicar Choral (Lay Clark) were/are employed to sing the office; the DOM to provide music. Whether they believe in God is their choice, as long as they produce the goods. They are professional musicians at the end of the day. At a Parish level it does matter what the standard of music is like. It should be to the best of the ability of those producing it. The majority of Parish musicians aren’t professional musicians, they’re (sweeping statement) churchgoers who have a keen interest in music. Psalm 150 is their mission statement.

At a parish level I’m with Tony on this one, although anyone who is prepared to find the time to run a choir and provide music should be welcomed with opened arms. At a cathedral level then the person’s musical ability should be the main thing that counts. As has been mentioned on another thread, Howells was an atheist, yet you can’t doubt his contribution to church music.

I think I’d prefer “a service is not just performance”. Any music (sung/organ/music group) should be done to the best ability of the musicians and should provide a strong, positive lead to all. No one aspect of a service should be more important than another.

As long as the singers sing within their comfortable range and don’t force. About 15 years ago I sang with a bass who had a fine voice. He could read well (though not to Cathedral standard) and would often sing alto. His alto voice production was forced and not natural. After singing through a series of throat infections he discovered that not only had his alto voice disappeared, but he’d also lost most of the top of his bass range.

I went to the opening recital given by Peter Hurford. I don’t know for sure, but I got the impression that the overhaul was fairly extensive.

I like your thinking, but if a particular school doesn’t carry out some form of singing (or sport or whatever) then you’d probably never spot the talent in the first place. Sadly, as money becomes ever tighter then cuts are made; these cuts are nearly always made to the arts. To teach music you need a degree in music, but does a degree in music qualify you to conduct a choir? Is it better to have an enthusiastic teacher running and conducting a choir or no choir at all?

It’s hard to know how to get teenage lads to sing. A musical like West side story will probably help. One of the problems is how to approach the voice breaking? Do you sing through or do you stop until things settle down? I do think it’s important to start singing at an early age.

This is good news indeed. One thing that had never entered my mind is how many choral pieces people cannot sing if they’re from other religions. This just highlighted how narrow my choral field of vision is.

The Collegium Regale Nunc Dimittis is totally sublime. It stirs the soul and pulls at the heart strings, wonderful. :angry:

So my guess is, you don’t like Herbert Howells? I’m right aren’t I? (Sarcastic mode OFF). Apologies for poor English.

Although I’ve not seen Mathew Copley for many a year, his company “Organ Design & Construction Ltd” is (as far as I know) still trading.

I hope that Pierre will continue to read and post on this forum. I don’t see why not being a serious organist or designer should preclude anyone from being a member and posting on this site. Much of what is posted here is opinion not fact. An interest in and a passion for the pipe organ should be sufficient.

Paul aka Cynic is the one to ask. Doh, just noticed he pipped me to the post.

A friend of mine started his cathedral singing career at one of the establishments listed. Without going into detail, what is highlighted in bold is one of the main reasons why this particular establishment hasn’t had much air time since.

To be honest with you, it just wouldn’t bother me at all. We’re all entitled to our own opinion. As long as what was said wasn’t fabricated, then I don’t see a problem. As to what’s offensive, well that’s down to the individual.

A little un-charitable may be, but we don’t know the gent (assumption) in question. Having read the ad, I must admit, I had similar thoughts to MM (Colin). An intuitive, stylish and passionate liturgical accompanist, I play tunes known and loved by congregations after services (not esoteric organ music). A bold statement, one that presupposes that the vast majority of the congregation dislike “real” organ music. I can only speak for myself, but esoteric organ music (played both before and after the service) was what got me interested in the organ and church music.

I think so but I’m not 100% sure. David Briggs did proudly show the nation (well those who watch Songs of Praise) the (then) unique “Divided Pedal”.

Happy Christmas to you all. I must say, I rather like the Cornelius, each to their own I guess? Do you dislike “Christus” by Felix Mendelssohn as well?

Yes, I remember it well. They also filmed in the organ loft and we were treated (David Briggs playing) to an extract of the Vierne 1st symphony Final.

What CD-Rs play on what CD players can be quite a lottery. My old CD player played a copy of a Red Hot Chilli Peppers album but didn’t play a friends copy of The Darkness (maybe a blessing). Until your hard drive stops working, you get a bad sector, etc. Maybe I’m wrong, but flash drives seem to be the most stable (computer) storage device out there?

Well it was your wedding night I guess.