dcmbarton

I have a Zoom H4 and it is superb - it you PM me, I could probably send you a sample recording from it. David

I shouldn't worry too much because I gather that the whole system is changing this year and that CRB's as such will no longer exist. According to the last ISM Journal 'a centralised vetting and barring system will clear people for suitability to work with children before they start work.' Apparently we will register with this body, but they estimate some 11 million people will be eligible, so as they say, 'it may take some time before the Scheme becomes universally available.'

I found another 'gem' yesterday in the volume I already mentioned; a lovely tranquil prelude on 'Aurelia' by Andrew Moore.

A lot of people think that they are anonymous online, particularly by using obscure usernames etc., but I generally find that it isn't that difficult for them to mention something in passing which gives them away. Links to websites etc. are a dead giveaway! To be quite honest, I'm not really bothered whether people know who I am or not. In the end, I'm 'me' whether I use an different username or my own.

I have two volumes of KM music which I think are the Organist's Companion. Generally, I don't use much in these but there are a few pieces. In both there are some good reflective pieces by Stanley Vann (one called Meditation on the Divine Mysteries which I particularly like). Also there is a Processional by Christopher Tambling which has proved useful. I know they aren't to everybody's tastes and it would be easy to dismiss the whole output. Nevertheless, they are popular; I heard recently of one of their 'house' composers earning well over £2,000 in royalties in one year alone. This would seem to indicate that they certainly shift the copies they print. David

I have no idea anymore what's being talked about here (maybe I shall now read it all again!), suffice to add: Generally I am in agreement with that. You are offering a service which the couple are paying for. Sometimes I've had to play things I don't like or don't necessarily think are appropriate, but I think it would have to be exceptional circumstances for me to refuse outright to play a certain piece. I would rather try to work with the couple to provide what they want (for example, recommending that a piece might sound better on the piano, or possibly better if they had a recorded version). I might not like what they choose, but if it was within my capablilities and they were paying the fee, then I wouldn't object. I came across a couple who had dreadful trouble with their wedding music recently and I didn't think that what they were asking for was that obscure; possibly just not 'run of the mill' wedding music. Nevertheless, they had given their choice of music a great deal of thought.

Oh well, we got to the offertory and I waited for the CD; I looked at her, she looked at me and nothing happened, so I had to play anyway!

I gather via the grapevine that for tonight's Carols by Candlelight our minister is bringing a CD to play during the offertory. As she hasn't actually told me (or even asked me), I might play along too; work out what the music is then play along a semitone higher! David

I'm afraid that I too find the rhythm in that bar rather unnecessary. I find that I play it as written, but they sing it straight. I should give up and just join them.

Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I only play in Methodist churches where of course the idea of paying organists is pretty alien anyway

I usually get £50 for weddings and £40 for funerals, but the minister rarely asks what I charge so sometimes I find the couple/family have been told the wrong amount and there isn't a lot you can do about that. Despite my asking on severals occasions, the minister always forgets to ask whether they are having a video done, so I often don't have any chance to charge more for that. David

I have written literally tons of music, and have about 25 pieces in print in the UK, US and Canada (not bad going only being 24!). Mostly choral or organ; some instrumental. They're not at all popular in the UK (too 'nice', not enough dissonance!). They even get performed occasionally, but again, mostly in the US. I'm dying for people to start recording them though...... David

Yes. I gave up midway through programme 1 because my blood pressure couldn't handle it. I was disgusted!

Interestingly, I was contacted a while back by a well known local choral society in a nearby town (who shall remain nameless) who wanted me to distribute recruitment leaflets to my pupils. I said I would do this and did so; but, I then got a phone call a few months later to ask me why no one had joined. I politely pointed out that I could pass on information, but couldn't necessarily be seen to favour one choir over another. I get a lot of requests of that nature. Whether they join is up to them; I'm certainly not going to make them! David

This is the current favourite of our choir. I got individual copies from Cathedral Music, although its published by the Church Music Society. I must say that when I contacted Cathedral Music, they seemed to be quite surprised I was ordering from them, and wasn't aware it was in the NOEAB - it was all very odd. David