Music News and Future Events at St Marys

Music at St Mary’s - From the August/September 2010 Edition of our 'Church News'

Anne’s ordination

Sunday 27th June was a bright sunny day, the day England lost to Germany in the World Cup but for Anne Howson it was the day she would be ordained a priest. Two other deacons were to be priested with her, Rev’d Giles Tulk from St John’s Stansted and Rev’d Sally Lodge from Halstead. The service was at St John’s Church, Stansted and representatives of the choirs from the other two parishes had been invited to join St John’s Choir.

Five of our choir sang at Stansted having been to a practice there the Thursday before. We all robed and mingled with the Stansted choir who made us most welcome. The choir sat in the north transept which gave us an excellent view of the service and from where we spotted many members of the Saffron Walden congregation there to support Anne. I didn’t count the clergy but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many together before. The number of clergy was particularly powerful when they grouped round the candidates and placed a hand on their heads as Bishop Christopher ordained them. The ordinands had to make certain declarations, effectively the job description (see below). The congregation was asked to confirm its support for the ordinands including to pray for them and uphold and encourage them in their ministry. We had a particularly good view of the part of the service where the Bishop anoints the palms of the newly ordained priests. This was perhaps the most moving part of the service for, although part of the public service, it seemed a very private moment between the Bishop and the newly ordained priests.

The hymns were all well known and after the communion the choir sung the Halleluiah Chorus. We know this very well but usually we have an organist and a conductor. Here we had just one person, Lorraine. She had played the organ part in advance and recorded it to the organ. Her challenge was then to press the play button and get into her position to conduct us before it started and then to keep the timing strictly as when she recorded it – all went Ok although there was one point when the organ nearly won. The congregation loved it and it was a fitting end to a very special and moving service. It was a privilege, Anne, for us to take part in your important day.

Click here to see photos and listen to a recording of the Choral Eucharist.

Christine Lawrence

Anne’s First Celebration of the Eucharist

On Sunday Evening 27th June we came together as a happy warm hopeful congregation to be presided over by Rev’d Anne Howson at Choral Eucharist – her first after being priested in the morning at St John’s Church, Stansted Mountfichet. The service had a family feeling as her daughter Jo read the lesson and we were able to join in singing her chosen hymns and settings for the communion. In particular two Taize chants were sung repeatedly during the administration of the sacrament and everyone felt at one with the spirit which these chants inspire. Afterwards the whole congregation were photographed with the choir and clergy and we all met in the Parish Rooms to share supper together.

Sheilah Girgis.

Future events

The remaining recital is on 7th August at 7.30p.m. An Organ Recital by Oliver Waterer of Chelmsford Cathedral

The choir will be taking their annual break during the month of August. The first choral service after the break will be Parish Communion at 10.00a.m. on Sunday 5th September under the direction of Oliver King, the newly appointed Director of Music.

Noel Starr

Click here for the recording (thanks to Peter De Vile) of Choral Eucharist on 27th June at which Anne Howson presided following her ordination to the Priesthood in the morning.

Kantorei Gross Flottbek Choir from Hamburg at St Mary's 16th May 2010

Click here to hear our guests' contribution to our 10 am service on 16th May. 3 tracks totalling 8.38 minutes. Click on the photos to enlarge. See below for more information about this visit.

Director of Music

Thank you to all those who made Andrew Malcolm's final weekend in his post so wonderful.

David

A message from Andrew Malcolm My thanks to all those who joined us for the occasion and who contributed in any way to what was for me a very memorable weekend. The many cards and gifts were quite overwhelming and photographs and book an excellent reminder of many happy years with so many lovely people. It was very moving to see so many faces from the past and so kind of them to make the effort to come to see me finally off the premises ; the choir and the band certainly did me proud!

Best wishes, Andrew

SATURDAY ORGAN RECITALS AND WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2010

Click here to download details of these events. Season tickets for the Organ Recitals are available for £30 either at the first Organ Recital or in advance from Lesley A Green, SMMA Chairman, 01799 521356, 78 Little Walden Road, Saffron Walden, Essex. CB10 2DW lag28@uwclub.net

JUNIOR CHORISTER AWARDS for SPRING TERM 2010

'Sing Hallelujah' 31 October 2009

Click on the photo on the left to see more.

Choristers' Apple Pie Sale

Saturday 10th October.

Our Choristers made a total of £198.50
for our Church Music.

Well done, and thank you to all who helped.

SMMA Treasure Hunt

Sunday 20 September 2009

What a glorious afternoon! The sun shone and the countryside was really beautiful!
We were due to meet at the Common Car Park, but we had not realized that there was a Dog Show in progress, resulting in a packed Car Park, so we transferred to Boots Car Park instead for our briefing. Unfortunately there were only two cars taking part, but we set off with enthusiasm!

Choir trip toSalisbury Cathedral 2008