Music News – Aug-Sept 2018 

We have just sung the July Choral Evensong on what felt like the hottest Sunday for a very long time! We usually rehearse fully robed but by general consent no-one wanted to get into a cassock a moment earlier than was strictly necessary. Eagle-eyed members of the congregation might have noticed that for the service the Juniors wore their red cassocks, but without ruffs or surplices, whilst most of the adults somehow ‘forgot’ to wear their white collars! Despite this shocking disregard of proper dress we hope that the music was given full and proper attention. The responses were written by Herbert Sumsion, and the canticles were by Ernest John Moeran. The anthem was the much loved “Blessed be the God and Father” written by Samuel Sebastian Wesley. For most of the Juniors this was a new discovery, but clearly they have really enjoyed learning it.

As the end of this academic year approaches we are about to say goodbye to Susie Beare, who, on leaving school, steps down from her role as Choral Scholar. In fact, Susie is planning something of a gap year from September, so the good news is that she will continue to sing as a member of the adult choir for much of next year.

By the time this goes to press, the lunchtime concert series will have ended. We will have hosted eight concerts, with very different programmes. We have a regular ‘core’ audience who have appreciated the variety of instruments and have enthusiastically welcomed new and more familiar faces alike. The refreshments on offer each week have as always proved very popular and our thanks go not just to the organiser, Gill Gibson, but to everyone who has made sandwiches, baked cakes or helped to serve week by week.

The Brass Group have given two public performances in the past month: at the Fete de la Musique in the market square and at the fete held in the garden of Debden Vicarage. Both occasions were held in brilliant sunshine and warmth.

At the end of their term, Joyful Noise gave a lovely performance of a musical version of Noah’s Ark  written by Paul Harris which was greatly enjoyed by parents and friends.

All music groups take a break during August, but there is to be a concert of piano duets given by Oli King and Martin Huggett at 4 p.m. on Saturday 4th August. Do come along if you can – it promises to be a lovely programme.

August will pass very quickly and September will see us all hit the ground running. Our Patronal Festival is on 9th September, the adults and choral scholars are delighted to be singing later in the month at the wedding of Nell Bacon and Tim Hardingham, and the whole choir will be represented at the Ordination Service at the end of the month. The Choral Scholars will be entertaining their families and the adult choir on 21st September and regular rehearsals for Joyful Noise, all sections of the choir and the Brass Group will all be underway again.

Bron Ferland