Memorial service for Limerick organist; Christ Church Cathedral Girls’ Choir Commissioned; Young organists sought for popular choral courses; Lindsay Gray appointed RSCM Emeritus Director; New edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern; New Adam Cappa music video; New acoustic album from Casting Crowns; Something sacred in church performances
Memorial service for Limerick organist
The late Stuart Edward Gray – Stuart died unexpectedly at his home in Yorkshire on Wednesday 5th December 2012. He was Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Mary’s Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick 1979 – 2004. As a tribute to Stuart a Memorial Service will be held in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick on Sunday 24th February 2013 at 3pm. Following the service light refreshments will be served in the Cathedral. All are very welcome to attend this special service.
Christ Church Cathedral Girls’ Choir Commissioned
Christ Church Cathedral’s new Girls’ Choir was commissioned on Sunday January 20 when the choir sang its first service of the year. The joyful occasion came after months of hard work and commitment on the part of the 15 girls and the cathedral’s music department.
The commissioning marks the revival of the tradition of the Girls’ Choir which was first established in 1995. At the time it was one of the first choirs of its kind in Irish cathedrals and was set up to provide girls with the opportunity to receive a musical education previously only available to boys. The choir has been relatively quiet in recent times. However, in the last few months the cathedral’s musical director, Ian Keatley, successfully recruited a full compliment of choristers who performed with great assurance on Sunday.
The choristers are aged between nine and 17. They rehearse twice a week and soon will be singing Evensong every Wednesday. They will also regularly join forces with the Cathedral Choir. It is hoped that the girls will follow the Voice for Life training scheme of the Royal School of Church Music.
Choristers are drawn from various schools in the Dublin area and membership, which is free of charge, is open to girls of all religious traditions or none. Selection is on the basis of a voice trial and successful choristers receive expert training and voice tuition. Parents of girls interested in auditioning for a place in the choir can contact Ian Keatley, Director of Music on (01) 6778099 for further details.
Young organists sought for popular choral courses
Two young church organists are being given the opportunity to play the organ in Bath Abbey this summer. The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is inviting applications for organ scholarships at the 2013 Summer Course for Young People, which is being held in the city from 19th to 25th August. The deadline for applications is Friday 19th April. For more information visit http://www.rscm.com/courses
The scholarships will be awarded to players aged between 16 and 21 and at Grade 8 standard or thereabouts. The successful candidates will assist the course organist in accompanying rehearsals and services, and play Bath Abbey’s four-manual Klais organ, where the course is located for part of the week. The 2013 Summer Course for Young People, held at Kingswood School, is a popular annual fixture for over one hundred young singers from RSCM-affiliated choirs around the UK and the world, who enjoy its mix of expert teaching, singing, fun and friendship.
For the organ scholars, the musical experience has proved to be invaluable; in the past many have then taken up full scholarships at universities and cathedrals. Last year’s holders, James Leitch and Eleanor Kornas are respectively now organ scholars at Carlisle Cathedral and Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge. “Having the opportunity to work with so many talented professional musicians was very inspiring,” says James Leitch. “I really enjoyed the experience, especially playing the Bath Abbey organ!” Eleanor Kornas added: “There was a very friendly environment in which I felt at ease to ask questions. I would certainly recommend the scholarships to anyone wishing to gain more confidence in their playing and musicianship.”
Applications will be considered by Rosemary Field, the RSCM’s Head of Education and herself a former cathedral assistant organist. “I know how important such courses are for the development of church musicians. What you gain from this is guided practical experience, which will stand you in good stead in your future playing and help with CV building,” she said.
Full details of the course and scholarships can found on the RSCM website at www.rscm.com/courses or by calling 01722 424843.
Lindsay Gray appointed RSCM Emeritus Director
Lindsay Gray, the former Director of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) has been made an Emeritus Director by the RSCM Council, the charity’s governing body. Lindsay Gray, who lives in Cardiff, resigned from the Director post last year to pursue a range of professional interests in music, education and charity work nearer home.
The title has been conferred in recognition of Lindsay Gray’s significant contribution to the RSCM in nearly five years as Director from 2008. During that time, Lindsay Gray travelled widely to work with RSCM members all over the world. He was also instrumental in securing valuable trust funding for RSCM’s work in supporting the music of affiliated churches, and instigated the reorganisation and revitalisation of volunteer area committees.
Lord Gill, Chairman of the RSCM Council, (who as Lord President is also Scotland’s most senior judge) says: “We appointed Lindsay Gray as Emeritus Director by acclamation. The title is a just acknowledgment of all that he has achieved. We are grateful to him for his continued support for our work.”
For his part, Lindsay Gray is delighted to have been honoured with the title. “The RSCM is an organisation I admire enormously, and I will be delighted to help support its work in whatever way I can. This is a lovely way of staying involved without encroaching.” The post of RSCM Director is now held by Andrew Reid.
New edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern
Coming very soon – a new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern – the world’s favourite hymnal with over 170 million copies sold.
Ancient and Modern: hymns and songs for refreshing worship will be published in March 2013. Its guiding principles are:
• Congregational, assembly and group singability
• Biblical and theological richness
• Musical excellence
• Relevant to today’s worship styles and to today’s concerns
• Practical support for worship planners
• A discerning selection of new and recent hymns and songs
Features include added provision for all the seasons of the Church year, new items for carol services and other popular occasions, more choices for all-age-worship, fresh translations of some ancient hymnody, beautiful new tunes, short songs and chants – kyries, alleluias, blessings – and music from the world church.
Plus of course all editions are produced to A&M’s high production values, meaning that these durable hardbacks will last for many years to come.
Ancient and Modern: hymns and songs for refreshing worship will be published in full music, words only, melody, large print words only and electronic words editions.
Further information, an online sampler and details see www.newaandm.co.uk
New Adam Cappa music video
Adam Cappa has debuted his music video for recently released single “Washed Over Me”.
The worshipful track is based on Ephesians 2 and the theme of reconciliation.
The video was directed and produced by Leif Skartland and is available to view on GodTube.
It portrays a dad struggling with sin and the impact this has at work and in the home.
The video demonstrates how sin separates us from God and causes barriers in our relationships with other people.
The message is positive, however, as it reinforces how we are washed and made new in Christ.
“This song is about the love of Jesus Christ and the victory that is found only through Him,” shares Cappa.
“It’s inspired by the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross, and the power of His blood that sets us free and gives us life. It’s because of His great love for us, that we have been made alive, even when we were dead in our sins. Romans 5:8 says, ‘God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’
“It’s because of this love that my life has been changed. ‘I’ve been washed, I’ve been cleansed, and I have been made free. I’ve been bought by the blood that my King has bled for me. The sweetest victory, won at Calvary where His love, all His love washed over me.’”
New acoustic album from Casting Crowns
The Acoustic Sessions Vol. 1 includes all-time favourites plus two brand new songs.
Ever committed to the simple but profound story of truth, Casting Crowns has impacted millions with powerful songs like ‘East To West’, ‘Who Am I’, and ‘If We Are The Body’.
Now fans can experience these favourites and more on the new acoustic project The Acoustic Sessions: Volume 1.
In times of difficulty and in moments of praise, these songs have provided the words so many hearts long to communicate.Including two brand new songs, The Acoustic Sessions: Volume 1, is a must have for any Casting Crowns fan.
Something sacred in church performancesI
rish Times – At last year’s CTM festival in Berlin, Canadian musician Tim Hecker performed in the Passionskirche, a beautiful church built at the beginning of the last century. The Romanesque building holds roughly 700 people and Hecker played in total darkness to a full house. Manipulating the church’s massive organ through effects and blasting it through a powerful sound system, the hour-long gig was intense, unique and unforgettable.
Lately, churches have become a pretty noticeable part of the gigging calendar in Dublin, too. The Unitarian Church on St Stephen’s Green (where the above-mentioned Hecker also performed last year) and the Pepper Canister Church, located between Merrion Square and the Grand Canal, have seemed as busy with music as religion over the last while.
So what can churches offer that traditional venues don’t?
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2013/0114/1224328800510.html