Just about to go off to the Gregorian Chant Day which is almost the last special event that we have on for the West End Festival. Not sure what it will be like. I’m putting it down as a Professional Development Day, not least because Plainsong is not my strong point.
Neumes have always elided me.
There should be plenty of time to pretend to be nuns too, which is always important. I’m hoping that the first number is, “How do you solve a problem like Maria,” but I’ve a feeling that it might be something else.
The last trump of the Festival comes tomorrow night with the definitive Festal Evensnog for the Jack the Dipper – Parry’s I was glad, Stanford – Evening Canticles in C, Te Deum in Bb, This is the Record of John and responses by Richard Shepherd. Clouds of billowing copes filling the sanctuary, natch.
Clouds of billowing copes?? The butterfly manouvere with multiple copes? The Te Deum seems like an ideal opportunity for even more smoke.
Copes made of hair, for the Baptist, of course.
Umm.. I’m going to regret asking this, but in which ways do you want to pretend to be a nun?
Well, we did sing, “How do you solve a problem like Maria”. At least, I think that is what it was, it was in Latin and very nice too.
In answer to Moyra’s question, I got to cantor the last of the three monastic style offices that made up part of the day. It was more Hildegarde of B than Maria von Trapp.
I did consider monastic life quite seriously for a bit, when I was trying to work out my vocation. I came to the conclusion that I would have made a rubbish nun. Notwithstanding that, I’ve a huge respect for those who do live out the religious life in that way, and wish that there were more religious houses, especially in Scotland.
Mebbe not a nun, but that was a fine canter …… sorry ….. cantor delivering the last office…….. (postman or midwife ?)
That’s all right, then – being Cantor for a monastic style office is fun.. (at least, I think so!)
I also wish there were more religious houses in Scotland…
Kelvin,
Unrelated to your blog entry…. Have just rediscovered your blog looking for something else. It is nice to hear what your’e at. Hope you remember me from Stirling uni… And I hope you are well. Jenny
How did the billowing copes go at Evensong?
My friend Graeme on myspace was depbating about this chant day and decided it was too expensive!