Music News – November 2018 

The choir certainly hit the ground running after the August break with seven services in September including the Patronal Festival, Ordination and, of course, the wedding of the much-loved Rev’d Tim Hardingham and fellow choir member Nell Bacon. These involved a huge amount of preparation by Oli, Jeremy and the choir members including new music to learn very quickly. For example, Patronal Festival Evensong’s Anthem was ‘I was Glad’ by Henry Purcell – which was far from straightforward, but I feel that we carried it off well. Tim and Nell’s musical choices ranged from the hauntingly beautiful ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ by Morten Lauridsen, during which Nell and her bridal party elegantly processed down the aisle, to ‘The Rose’ by Amanda McBroom with the service culminating in Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus for everyone to join in – Jeremy Allen on organ managing to find enough power in the instrument to nearly cause structural damage…

Other events included a really stunning concert given by our own Choral Scholars, which displayed their talents in ways we don’t often get to witness. This included Nathan singing an aria from an opera by Gluck, Abbi and Susie singing Elvis and the whole team finishing off with a medley from Oliver! featuring George doing a very passable cockney accent as the Artful Dodger.

We welcomed to our midst Elliot  – the Michael Swindlehurst organ scholar who has already accompanied the choir in services and looks likely to achieve great things not only here but in Wendens Ambo too.

We are truly blessed to have so many people involved in the musical scene of the church’s life.

Peter De Vile

Organ scholar
At a service at the beginning of September, Elliot was commissioned as the first organ scholar under the Michael Swindelhurst Organ Scholarship scheme, set up in memory of Michael Swindlehurst.

In welcoming Elliot, Oli King, the Director of Music, said that Elliot is already a proficient clarinettist and pianist. He added, “He is a very diverse musician, although a beginner to the organ he is currently demonstrating a phenomenal learning curve. He is already is playing the organ in services. Elliot will be doing a lot of observing and some conducting.”

The scholarship will provide organ tuition and opportunities for Elliot to develop a range of musical skills in a supportive environment. He will also receive a grant and will be based at St. Mary’s, with the exception of one Sunday per month being spent at St. Mary’s, Wendens Ambo.

Elliot said, “I’m very excited about starting the scholarship  and I’m looking forward to learning and playing as much as possible!!” David, commented, “It has been great to welcome Elliot in memory of Michael who many of us remember with great affection. We are appreciating his contribution to our music and our life together.”

October 17, 2018