Royal School of Church Music Suffolk Area
Some Previous Events.
Come and Sing Messiah
St. Mary's Church Grundisburgh
Sunday 25 November 2007.
St. Mary's Church Grundisburgh
Come
and sing Part 1 of Handel's Messiah was held in St.Mary's Church.
Around 100 singers gathered at 2.30pm to rehearse the choruses that
they were sing with the orchestra and organ and under the direction of
the retiring Chair of Suffolk RSCM, John Cooper. The orchestra was
largely made up of members of John's family.
John has been chairman of the East Suffolk District of RSCM and more latterly the Suffolk Area for fourteen years, but "senior management" has stated that area Chairs should be rotated more frequently and so John has to stand down. So the day was both a bitter sweet and a joyful occasion.
Part of the orchestra
Not only the orchestra was drawn from John's family, two of the three soloists, Tina Sanderson (Soprano) and Stephen Cooper (Bass) are from the family. The third soloist, Gordon Pullin (Tenor) is very well known and many present this day have had the priviledge of singing with Gordon in the past.
The organist was Paul McCaffery, Deputy Director of Music at The Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.
Annual Village Exhibition
The soloists left to right: Stephen Cooper, Tina Sanderson
and Gordon Pullin.
Paul McCaffery at the organ console
After a short rehearsal during which John managed to co-ordinate and gel the orchestra and choir into an effective unit, there was a short break before the performance commenced. We sang the whole of Part 1 of the Messiah with the exception of the last chorus "His yoke is easy, and his burthen is light" which was replaced by the Hallelujah chorus which made a rousing finale to the performance. There were many highlights through the performance but mention must be made of the singing of the air "O Thou that tellest Good Tidings to Zion", by the combined group of altos. The rich mellow sound rang round the rafters of this beautiful church.
John Cooper conducting the rehearsal
After the business part of the
meeting we moved onto "Something Different" - a series of musical
contributions led by members of the committee:
Ken Brock directs the Highway Code
First to introduce his setting was Stephen Hogger, the Director of Music for our host church. He told us that his "Lavenham Mass" was originally commissioned for the Roman Catholic Rite by friends of his Rev. Tony & Eve Ranzetta.
This setting is one of four or five settings used in rotation in Lavenham Church. We spent time learing the Gloria, which has a very catchy, bright, and easily learnt "chorus". We were to return to this setting later in the afternoon to learn the Sanctus and Benedictus and also the Agnus Dei. Before moving on to another setting Stephen rehearsed the Celtic Alleluia, as this was going to be sung in the following service.
John has been chairman of the East Suffolk District of RSCM and more latterly the Suffolk Area for fourteen years, but "senior management" has stated that area Chairs should be rotated more frequently and so John has to stand down. So the day was both a bitter sweet and a joyful occasion.
Part of the orchestra
Not only the orchestra was drawn from John's family, two of the three soloists, Tina Sanderson (Soprano) and Stephen Cooper (Bass) are from the family. The third soloist, Gordon Pullin (Tenor) is very well known and many present this day have had the priviledge of singing with Gordon in the past.
The organist was Paul McCaffery, Deputy Director of Music at The Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.
Annual Village ExhibitionThe soloists left to right: Stephen Cooper, Tina Sanderson
and Gordon Pullin.
After a short rehearsal during which John managed to co-ordinate and gel the orchestra and choir into an effective unit, there was a short break before the performance commenced. We sang the whole of Part 1 of the Messiah with the exception of the last chorus "His yoke is easy, and his burthen is light" which was replaced by the Hallelujah chorus which made a rousing finale to the performance. There were many highlights through the performance but mention must be made of the singing of the air "O Thou that tellest Good Tidings to Zion", by the combined group of altos. The rich mellow sound rang round the rafters of this beautiful church.
John Cooper conducting the rehearsal
The assembled choir rehearsing
At the conclusion, presentations were made to John Cooper. Firstly the Rector of Grundisburgh, Rev. Canon Clare Sanders outlined a short history of John's musical career before asking the Bishop of Dunwich, The Right Reverend Clive Young to present John with a long service award on behalf of the Diocese of St.Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Finally Ken Brock, Treasurer of the Suffolk Area RSCM committee presented John with a gift and card from the committee.
The Bishop of Dunwich presents John Cooper with a
long service award on behalf of the Diocese.
At the conclusion, presentations were made to John Cooper. Firstly the Rector of Grundisburgh, Rev. Canon Clare Sanders outlined a short history of John's musical career before asking the Bishop of Dunwich, The Right Reverend Clive Young to present John with a long service award on behalf of the Diocese of St.Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Finally Ken Brock, Treasurer of the Suffolk Area RSCM committee presented John with a gift and card from the committee.
The Bishop of Dunwich presents John Cooper with a
long service award on behalf of the Diocese.
Ken Brock presents John with gift from Committee
The afternoon concluded with refreshments provided by the Parish before we all dispersed to the various corners of Suffolk, happy that we "had sent John off in a grand style."
The afternoon concluded with refreshments provided by the Parish before we all dispersed to the various corners of Suffolk, happy that we "had sent John off in a grand style."
Annual General Meeting
& "Something Different"
St. Mary at Stoke, Ipswich
8th May 2008
A good turn out saw our new Chair the Revd. Graham Owen get through his first Annual General Meeting quickly and smoothly.
The
first offering was a version of the Highway Code led and directed by
Ken Brock. It was sung to three different chants which were accompanied
on the piano by Stephen Hogger. The highway Code was first made popular
by The King Singers.
Past Chair
John Cooper plays "Coronation ExpressOur
past chairman played "Coronation Express" on the piano which was
followed by the present chairman who played "Londonderry Air" on the clarinet accompanied
by John Cooper
The Revd Graham Owen plays "Londonderry Air"Three committee members then sang the Choristers Hymn, a paradoy of the hymn Immortal, invisible to the tune "St Denio"
All Hallows
choirAll
Hallows choir sang three items from the musical "Joseph". The choir has
sung this musical at several locations in the Ipswich area in the last
year.
All Hallows Church ChoirDoug
Ireland then introduced a comedy psalm, written by Richard Maslen,
about the delights of visiting Southwold, set to the Anglican Chant for
Psalm 19. The original words were written about visitors to Weymouth
and amended to suit Southwold. The challenge was laid down for someone
to come up with some words to suit Ipswich for next years AGM.
Doug was then joined by Stephen Hogger and directed by John Cooper from the piano gave a rendition of the Edwardian comedy song "Parson's Puddle" with an extra verse added at the end about our new chair and the parish of Framlingham where he now presides.
Finally the evening concluded with a splendid buffet supper.
Doug was then joined by Stephen Hogger and directed by John Cooper from the piano gave a rendition of the Edwardian comedy song "Parson's Puddle" with an extra verse added at the end about our new chair and the parish of Framlingham where he now presides.
Finally the evening concluded with a splendid buffet supper.
Which Setting ?
Sunday 14 September 2008.
On a
lovely late summer afternoon, 34 singers gathered at St.Peter & St.
Paul, Lavenham. The event was scheduled to be in two parts. Part 1 took
the form of a Workshop in which we explored four different settings of
the Communion Service composed by local composers. Three of the four
composers were present to take us through their settings.
After a welcome by our chair, Rev. Graham Owen, the workshop commenced.
First to introduce his setting was Stephen Hogger, the Director of Music for our host church. He told us that his "Lavenham Mass" was originally commissioned for the Roman Catholic Rite by friends of his Rev. Tony & Eve Ranzetta.
This setting is one of four or five settings used in rotation in Lavenham Church. We spent time learing the Gloria, which has a very catchy, bright, and easily learnt "chorus". We were to return to this setting later in the afternoon to learn the Sanctus and Benedictus and also the Agnus Dei. Before moving on to another setting Stephen rehearsed the Celtic Alleluia, as this was going to be sung in the following service.
Next in line was Andrew Leach with his St. Mary Elms Mass. Originally
this setting was composed for Cantor, Congregation and Organ, but
Andrew had added some harmonies for this event. This was an easy
setting to learn and Andrew ensured that all the parts were comfortable
with what they had to sing.
The
third setting we looked at was composed by Val Shelley for use at
Melton Church, where until recently there was no tradition of singing a
setting in Communion services. Val took us through her setting which
was accompanied by Carol Dolan on the flute. Carol had also written a
setting of the Communion Prayer "Lord I am not worthy to receive you",
again accompanied by the flute.
The last setting was composed by the Rev. Ian Morgan for use at St.Mary at Stoke Church in Ipswich. Unfortunately Ian was unable to be with us, but Stephen Hogger very bravely took us through this setting, which he had seen for the first time just 15 minutes before the workshop began.
The last setting was composed by the Rev. Ian Morgan for use at St.Mary at Stoke Church in Ipswich. Unfortunately Ian was unable to be with us, but Stephen Hogger very bravely took us through this setting, which he had seen for the first time just 15 minutes before the workshop began.
Our
composers and the chair, then selected one item from each setting that
we would sing in the Choral High Mass that was to follow the workshop.
A break for a cup of tea was most welcome and then we had a run through the hymns and settings to be used for the service. A very innovative approach was made for the first hymn "Praise to the Holiest in the Height", the first three verses were sung to the tune "Gerontius", with the next three sung to "Chorus Angelorum" and the last vesre back to "Gerontius"
The service itself went very well, it is a pity there was not a larger congregation to hear our efforts. The concluding organ voluntary played by Stephen Hogger was the Sortie in E flat by Louis James Alfred Lefebure-Wely, some members of the choir seemed to be skipping down the aisle to the music as they recessed out. At the end of the voluntary there was a round of applause for Stephen.
Over 70 singers gathered in the lovely parish church at Thurston, to rehearse the Crucifixion by John Stainer under the direction of Paul Narey, Director of Music at Framlingham Church, with John Cooper playing the organ.
Paul worked us hard and by the end of the afternoon, the choir had attained a good standard.
We had a break for a cup of tea and biscuit in Cavendish Hall before the service at 6.30pm
It was good to see a good congregation who came along to hear the work and were surprised to find themselves in a role reversal situation by sitting in the choir stalls and the combined choirs sitting in the nave of the church. Everyone enjoyed the service and came out of the church to evening sunshine, the clocks having moved to British Summertime the night before.
Revd. Graham Owen conducts the business part of the evening
A break for a cup of tea was most welcome and then we had a run through the hymns and settings to be used for the service. A very innovative approach was made for the first hymn "Praise to the Holiest in the Height", the first three verses were sung to the tune "Gerontius", with the next three sung to "Chorus Angelorum" and the last vesre back to "Gerontius"
The service itself went very well, it is a pity there was not a larger congregation to hear our efforts. The concluding organ voluntary played by Stephen Hogger was the Sortie in E flat by Louis James Alfred Lefebure-Wely, some members of the choir seemed to be skipping down the aisle to the music as they recessed out. At the end of the voluntary there was a round of applause for Stephen.
Advent Carol Serice
Aldeburgh Parish Church, St Peter & St Paul
Advent Sunday, 30 November 2008
Members of four choirs met together
mid afternoon on Advent Sunday to practice the items to be included in
the service. The Director was David Briggs, the Director of Music for
Aldeburgh Parish Church and Jon Gibbs was at the organ. David rehearsed
each item very thoroughly and ensured that each item was sung to a high
standard. By the end of the afternoon the combined choir had gelled
together and produced singing of a high standard. There followed a
break for tea.
The serviced opened with the choir at the west door of the church singing the first verse of O come, O come, Emmanuel unaccompanied, until the chorus when the organ thundered in with Rejoice, Rejoice!! What a fantastic start this was and this set the tone for the rest of the service. Included in the service were choir items like Boris Ord's Adam lay y-bounden, a selection of the Great O Antiphons, The Truth from Above to Ralph Vaughn William's music, Remember O Thou Man to Thomas Ravenscroft music. The choir items concluded with the Dyson in F setting of the Magnificat with Lynda Berry as the soloist. Interspersed with the choir items were readings and congregational hymns.
All agreed that the service had been a marvellous intriduction to or preparation for Christmas.
Following the service all were invited into the church hall where a magnificent buffet supper had been laid on.
The serviced opened with the choir at the west door of the church singing the first verse of O come, O come, Emmanuel unaccompanied, until the chorus when the organ thundered in with Rejoice, Rejoice!! What a fantastic start this was and this set the tone for the rest of the service. Included in the service were choir items like Boris Ord's Adam lay y-bounden, a selection of the Great O Antiphons, The Truth from Above to Ralph Vaughn William's music, Remember O Thou Man to Thomas Ravenscroft music. The choir items concluded with the Dyson in F setting of the Magnificat with Lynda Berry as the soloist. Interspersed with the choir items were readings and congregational hymns.
All agreed that the service had been a marvellous intriduction to or preparation for Christmas.
Following the service all were invited into the church hall where a magnificent buffet supper had been laid on.
The Crucifixion by John Stainer
St Peter's Church, Thurston
Sunday 29 March 2009.
Over 70 singers gathered in the lovely parish church at Thurston, to rehearse the Crucifixion by John Stainer under the direction of Paul Narey, Director of Music at Framlingham Church, with John Cooper playing the organ.
Paul worked us hard and by the end of the afternoon, the choir had attained a good standard.
We had a break for a cup of tea and biscuit in Cavendish Hall before the service at 6.30pm
It was good to see a good congregation who came along to hear the work and were surprised to find themselves in a role reversal situation by sitting in the choir stalls and the combined choirs sitting in the nave of the church. Everyone enjoyed the service and came out of the church to evening sunshine, the clocks having moved to British Summertime the night before.
Meet, Eat and Sing and
Annual General Meeting 2009.
Revd. Graham Owen conducts the business part of the evening
This
years annual general meeting was held in All Hallows Church, Ipswich on
Wednesday 13th May 2009. The chair, the Revd. Graham Owen took us
through the business part of the meeting in a smooth and painless way.
Jan Payne introduces her role
Jan Payne introduces her role
At
the end of the meeting Graham introduced Jan Payne, the Regional
Co-ordinator for East Anglia and Lincolnshire for the RSCM. Jan gave us
a brief overview of her work with RSCM and set out what she she could
offer.
Graham Owen leads the singing of Captain Noah
Graham Owen leads the singing of Captain Noah
After
the formal part of the evening, came the fun part! Graham Owen,
with John Cooper on the piano then took us through singing parts of
Captain Noah, all to work up an appetite for the sumptious buffet that
awaited us.