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Welcome to our
Essex and East London Area
Spring Newsletter
2017 is an eventful year for us.
We have a great programme of events planned
for the year ahead. Thank you to all who have
suggested the types of workshops and events
you would enjoy and find useful.
We look forward to our annual choral festival
this year at Brentwood Cathedral in October.
Also, we are very keen to improve our
communications and our general publicity, and
our new user friendly website will soon be up
and running.
RSCM-EEL Annual Choral Festival
2017. This year our Festival will be a very special occasion
celebrating the Centenary of the Diocese of
Brentwood. It will be held in the beautiful setting of
Brentwood Cathedral on Saturday, 21st October, 10
a.m. – 5 p.m. with the Festival Thanksgiving Service at
4 p.m.
The service will be conducted by Andrew Wright,
Master of Music at Brentwood Cathedral. We invite
all singers to join us for a memorable and enjoyable
day of singing finishing with our Thanksgiving Service
and experiencing that mixture of exhilaration and awe
which we all feel in singing with massed choirs in a
great building. Individual singers are warmly
welcomed, as are members of choirs, robed or
unrobed. The music this year has been specially
chosen and is included in a booklet which is being
printed for us by the Royal School of Church Music,
and which we hope will be available shortly at a cost
of £5. Put the date in your diaries now! Orders for
books to and further information from
[email protected].
RSCM- EEL Chorister Awards
Ceremony
On Saturday 21st January, the annual service for the
presentation of awards to successful Deans’ and
Bishops’ Chorister candidates was held in Chelmsford
Cathedral. The Awards were presented by the Deans
and Bishops of both Brentwood and Chelmsford
Dioceses.
The service followed the form of Choral Evensong. The
successful candidates sang with the Cathedral Choir,
under their Director of Music James Davy who had
rehearsed the candidates in the afternoon. The music
for the service included the motet Locus Iste by
Bruckner, a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc
Dimittis by Richard Shephard, and the anthem O’er
the hill and o’er the vale arranged by James Davy.
The Award Administrators are grateful to Chelmsford
Cathedral for their help and assistance on what was a
most enjoyable day. We would also like to thank the
Deans and Bishops for their continued support for
these awards.
The awards recipients were as follows: -
mailto:[email protected]://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjlv_e2q6bQAhVEyRQKHdKsAdQQjRwIBw&url=https://ordinariateexpats.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/ordinary-preaches-at-brentwood-cathedral-this-weekend/&psig=AFQjCNHlRWAXizDVAK-0q4YH8DO6FO_eRQ&ust=1479147342193129
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BISHOPS’ CHORISTERS
Brentwood Cathedral Matthew Adams Alonso Gracia-Martin Henry Man
Owen Romhany Luke Simpson
Chelmsford Cathedral Bethany Shorden
Chingford Parish Church Eddie Adams Caroline Easey Adam Miller
Felix Petheu Oliver Petheu
St Andrew's, Hornchurch William Beech Hayden Musham Seth
Wylie
St Laurence’s, Upminster Hannah Allen
St Peter’, South Weald Jessica Appleton Elizabeth Reynolds
Rebecca Slaney
DEANS’ CHORISTERS
Brentwood Cathedral Choir Antony Fashesin-Souza Thierry
Racon
Brentwood Cathedral Girls’ Choir Olivia Mills
Chingford Parish Church Samuel Hay-Campbell Femi Kotun Margaret
Omosanya Isaac Summers Miriam Summers
St Edward the Confessor, Romford Sarah Famakinwa Breanna
Herring
St Nicolas, Witham Mitzi Boyle
New events for 2017
Dates for your diaries
Sunday 4th June 3pm – 7.30pm service at 6.30pm
Come and Sing Evensong!
St Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch RM12 6QP Directed by Andrew
Losq
A Traditional Service of Choral Evensong
An opportunity to sing Choral Evensong according to
the Book of Common Prayer, especially for those who
do not regularly have such an opportunity.
Choirs and individual singers all very welcome.
Members of St Andrew’s choir will be on hand to
boost any of us who are less confident. The RSCM-EEL
2017 publication ‘With Praise and Thanksgiving’
which will also be used for the Area Festival in
October contains most of the music needed for
this service. Copies can be bought for £5 or borrowed on the day
if preferred – hire charge £1
Music to include: William Byrd - Sacerdotes Domini
Peter Nardone - I give to you a New Commandment
Smith – Preces and Responses
Brewer – Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in Eb
Bring choir robes if you have them. Refreshments provided.
Pay on the day. To book email [email protected] for
registration form. Further information from Bill Brooks
[email protected]
Saturday 10th June 11 am- 3.30 pm
Short of a Tenor! You can do it!
St. Margaret of Antioch, Balfour Road, Ilford IG1 4HZ directed
by Philip Norman FRCO, ARCM, LTCL
If you sing with, or direct
a choir with only a few
members and find that
much of the traditional
church choir repertoire requires greater forces than
you have, we hope that you will be interested in this
event. In addition to other sources Philip will be
using the Oxford Book of Flexible Anthems, a perfect
resource for church choirs of all types and sizes, each
piece being presented with flexible scoring options,
enabling performances by various combinations of
singers. It is perfect for small choirs, young choirs,
choirs with few men, choirs just starting out and
choirs with limited rehearsal time. There are more
than 60 flexibly scored anthems in a wide range of
styles, including many new pieces, new arrangements
of favourite anthems, accessible keyboard
accompaniments, suitable for organ or piano and with
a comprehensive coverage of the Church year.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjA1a7iqJrTAhWMVRQKHWb-A7AQjRwIBw&url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2786274&psig=AFQjCNHo58De7D_H9M5GMxldAj7FYcJCmQ&ust=1491928425664772mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
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After an early career in education, Philip Norman
became Kantor of Orkdal in Norway. Like Bach (who
was Cantor of Leipzig) Philip conducted municipal
choirs, ensembles and the orchestra, and composed
and arranged as required. He returned to London in
1991 and has since been the conductor of a number
of choirs and ensembles. His Festival Choir has sung
in many European countries and he occasionally tours
abroad as an accompanist. He is a specialist in the
field of small choirs and has his own website
dedicated to this work pnms.co.uk/smallchoirs.
Working with him, this should be a highly useful
session as well as giving the chance to make music
together in a relaxed environment. Cost £7.50
Further information from and bookings to John
Rippin [email protected] 020 8524 1591
Tuesday 4th July 7pm – 9pm
Hey! Look at me
St Nicolas, Chipping Hill, Witham, CM8 2JS
Conducting workshop
with John Rippin
A practical workshop to give instruction, help and tips for
those called on to conduct choirs, especially those who are new to
this.
There will be a small group of singers in attendance, prepared
to sing a few hymns and some simple and straightforward anthems,
responses and so on. Details of those will be provided when to
register
Full details including including location and transport are on
the circular and registration form obtainable from
[email protected]
Tea and coffee will be available during the evening
Cost: Adults £5 School pupils (under 18) £3
For further information or any queries, please
contact John Rippin,
email: [email protected]
Saturday 30th September 2.30pm – 5pm
Alan Bullard showcases the Oxford Book of and Easy Flexible
Anthems
St Barnabus, Browning Road, Manor Park, E12 6PB
A great opportunity for leaders
and members of choirs and music
groups of all sizes and
denominations to add to their
versatility and resources.
Following the success of The Oxford Book of Flexible
Anthems, Alan Bullard has now edited The Oxford
Book of Easy Flexible Anthems a vital resource for all
churches. This collection caters for church choirs of
all types and sizes, enabling them to have at their
fingertips, easy music for every occasion. The
collection presents flexibility in a constructive and
realistic way, with particular provision for unison or
two-part singing, whilst not forgetting SATB choirs.
With complete coverage of the Church’s year, a
fabulous range of accessible, quality material and a
focus too on ease of learning and performance. Alan
Bullard was born in London, and studied with Herbert
Howells at the Royal College of Music and at
Nottingham University. He enjoyed a successful
career in music education and most recently as Head
of Composition at Colchester Institute. He now
devotes most of his time to composing, editing and
arranging. His music unfailingly appeals to both
performers and audiences and he has written for all
kinds of choirs, with instrumental works for a variety
of ensembles and orchestras. Alan is also a respecter
writer of music for examination syllabuses and
educational albums. As well as the inspirational
Oxford Book of Flexible Anthems and Oxford Book of
Flexible Carols, his major publications include Alan
Bullard Carols, Alan Bullard Anthems and the three
cantatas Wondrous Cross, O Come Emmanuel and A
light in the Stable. He and his wife Janet also write the
Pianoworks series for the older beginner. Cost £10.
Further information from and bookings to: Duncan
Paterson [email protected]. 020 8554 9499
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwikqeb6sJrTAhVDiRoKHahuA3gQjRwIBw&url=http://www.stbarnabasmanorpark.co.uk/&psig=AFQjCNG3w1A__bVTAiavgH2aPOiJtAeSuA&ust=1491930615927870http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjR2_zarprTAhXCfRoKHfKqBn0QjRwIBw&url=http://www.123rf.com/photo_58293440_stock-vector-conductor-hands-concept-vector-choir-conductor-music-illustration-concept-of-flat-conductor-orchestr.html&psig=AFQjCNHq-BvYrleVnnerE1V7VhnTCQW0YQ&ust=1491929989349227mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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Saturday 7th October morning
Composers event
Chelmsford Cathedral Education Centre
led by James Davy
Do you compose music for your church?
The morning will look at writing hymn tunes,
responsorial psalms, Anglican chant, descants
and other liturgical items; people can bring
items for review and feedback if they wish.
Further information from James Davy
[email protected]
Saturday 7th October 2pm -5pm
Developing Aural & Sightreading Skills
St Nicolas, Chipping Hill, Witham, CM8 2JS
Workshop directed by James Davy
to include:-
Voice for Life (levels white light and dark blue and bronze)
Teaching and practicing the set requirements for choristers to
master aural & sight singing skills, and a session on John
Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth
Please bring your own copy of this anthem.
Group discussion: how are we progressing with Voice for Life
since the first introductory discussion and workshop at Saint
Luke’s, Tiptree
This event is free and open to choir trainers, choristers and
other interested parties.
Further information from and bookings contact Emmelia van der
Walt [email protected] or phone text 07940 512407
Full details will be available on our website and will be mailed
out shortly
Saturday 21st October
RSCM-EEL Annual Choral Festival
Brentwood Cathedral, directed by Andrew Wright
See page 1 Full details and registration form to follow via
email and on our website.
Wednesday 1st November
Compline for All Saints
Holy Cross and All Saints Church, Warley
Details to be announced. Further information Antony Timmins
[email protected]
Saturday 4th November
Organ Workshop
St Mary’s Church Shenfield CM15 9AL led by Richard Brazier
Details to be announced. Further information John Rippin
[email protected]
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwivz6XatJrTAhVLuBQKHSdHC4gQjRwIBw&url=http://www3.stmaryschurch-shenfield.org.uk/the-church/outside/&psig=AFQjCNEodjyaHVzo5XgZtTRufrhh657AGQ&ust=1491931641354313mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwihg5_ow5DUAhUH1RQKHb5tCnUQjRwIBw&url=https://www.stnicholascenter.org/galleries/gazetteer/976/&psig=AFQjCNFjHYGVWohpDpQP1YJ50RiwtWKOYw&ust=1495990171926762https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjlv_e2q6bQAhVEyRQKHdKsAdQQjRwIBw&url=https://ordinariateexpats.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/ordinary-preaches-at-brentwood-cathedral-this-weekend/&psig=AFQjCNHlRWAXizDVAK-0q4YH8DO6FO_eRQ&ust=1479147342193129
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Sunday 10th December
West Gallery Workshop & Georgian Evensong
Workshop 3 p.m. Evensong 6 p.m.
St Mary’s Church Wanstead E11 2LP directed by Dr. Francis
Roads
A seasonal workshop for musicians and singers,
culminating with Georgian Evensong led by
the Reverend Dr.Gordon Giles M.Litt., B.A.
Mulled wine and mince pies!
All in one of the finest Georgian Churches in England.
Read all about the history and tradition of West Gallery Music
see below. For bookings (£6) and further information contact:
Shirley Timmins, 156 Warley Hill, Brentwood
CM14 5HF [email protected],
or 01277 233302 (answerphone)
A NEW VENTURE - WEST GALLERY MUSIC WORKSHOP
On Sunday, 10th December, 2017 we are holding a
West Gallery Workshop for musicians and singers,
followed by a Georgian Evensong and mulled wine
and mince pies at the lovely Church of St. Mary’s,
Wanstead. The workshop will be led by Dr. Francis
Roads and our Minister for Evensong will be the
Reverend Dr. Gordon Giles, who will be familiar to you
from his contributions to Church Music Quarterly.
West Gallery’ music, also known as ‘Georgian
Psalmody’ is the music (metrical psalms, with a few
hymns and anthems) sung and played in English
churches and non-conformist chapels from around
1700-1850. The term derives from the wooden
galleries which were constructed at the west end of
churches during the 18th century upon which the choir
would perform. Victorians disapproved of these
Georgian galleries and most were removed during
restorations in the 19th
century. St. Mary’s Church, Wanstead was built to
designs by the architect Thomas Hardwick and
completed in 1790 and has not been substantially
altered since it was originally built. It is now listed
Grade I and is regarded as one of the three or four
finest Georgian churches in London and indeed in the
Country. It has recently been restored and is looking
even more splendid.
In the 18th century, very few country churches had an
organ, and for music they depended on the vocal
efforts of the parish clerk and congregation, who sang
psalms in the metrical paraphrases of the Old Version
(1562) or New Version (1696). From about 1670 on,
companies of singers were formed, and the first music
specially composed for such ‘country choirs’ appeared
about 1700.
Village singers learnt to sing ‘by note’ in harmony, and
adopted a vigorous style of singing, often varying the
point at which the voices entered, known as ‘fuguing’.
Most early west gallery groups sang unaccompanied,
but later they were augmented by instruments such
as the serpent (and yes we will have one of these on
10th December!), violin, cello, clarinet, flute and
bassoon. As the primary purpose of the
accompanying instruments was to maintain the pitch
of the singers, they tended to double the vocal parts.
Use of West Gallery music in the Church dwindled
when the organ became popular. The old church
bands were often difficult for a vicar to control, while
influence over an organist was a much easier task.
Such ousting
mailto:[email protected]
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of the band by an organist is given fictional treatment
in Thomas Hardy’s early novel Under the Greenwood
Tree. In the end, as Hardy observed, changes of
various kinds in church and village life and practice led
to the demise of the singers as an independent force
in English country churches: the galleries and singing
seats were destroyed, the instruments were disposed
of, and the manuscript music books lost. The music
was disapproved of because it was considered not
solemn enough for worship by members of the Oxford
Movement. The churches came to be dominated by a
harmonium or an organ, and the people sang in
regimented fashion from Hymns Ancient & Modern.
In the 1980s West Gallery Music experienced a revival
and is now sung by several West Gallery ‘Quires.
Dr. Francis Roads who studied music at Pembroke
College, Oxford and the Royal College of Music,
London is now the Musical Director of the London
Gallery Quire. He took early retirement from a 30
year teaching career in 1994. Since then he has
devoted himself to researching and editing West
Gallery church music. His doctoral thesis included the
first modern edition of some West Gallery
manuscripts from the Isle of Man. He is an active
member of the West Gallery Music Association. He is
particularly keen to promote the use of West Gallery
music in modern church services and to this end he
has led workshops, often followed by an evensong in
many places, Goring-on-Thames (Oxon), Stow-cum-
Quy (Cambs), Tisbury (Wilts), Leytonstone (Essex),
Norwich (evensong televised by Anglia TV), Hadleigh
(Suffolk), Hastings (Sussex) and Douglas (Isle of Man)
as well as in the USA.
The Rev’d Dr Gordon Giles studied music and
aesthetics at Lancaster University. A M.Litt in
Philosophy at Cambridge University followed and
then he worked as Chaplain for the Missions to
Seafarers in the North-east of England. After
studying theology at Ridley Hall Cambridge, he was
ordained in Ely Cathedral and served a curacy in a
parish in urban Cambridge. In 1998 he became
Succentor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where
he sang choral services and worked on large scale
events such as the service after the 9/11 bombings;
Millennium and Jubilee services. In
2003 he became Vicar of St Mary Magdalene's
Church in Enfield, North London,. He has written
several books on church music, hymnody and
liturgy and writes a regular hymn meditation in the
RSCM's Church Music Quarterly and as well as
being one of the editors of the newly published
‘Ancient and Modern’ hymnbook, he is also a
Director of the English Hymnal Company. In 2012
was awarded a PhD by Middlesex University for his
work on hymnody, liturgy and musicology.
We do hope you will be able to join us on 10 th
December. Further information from and
bookings (£6) to Shirley Timmins, 156 Warley Hill,
Brentwood CM14 5HF.
[email protected] or 01277
233302(answerphone).
RSCM-EEL Chorister Awards
Interested in taking part?
Full Details of the RSCM-EEL Chorister Awards are
available on our website,
plus syllabus and further information.
Deans’ Chorister Awards. John Cox
[email protected]
Bishops’ Chorister Award. Bill Brooks
[email protected]
Like to keep in touch?
Email us at [email protected] to be mailed
with our RSCM-EEL coming events and
workshops, or visit our website
www.rscm-eel.org.uk
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
