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I noted that the Lay Clerks (nine professional singers) from St. George's Cathedral choir started singing from Sunday 6 September. Their whole Choir is still not in action. On the same day I started to play quiet incidental music at the 11:30 Mass - has to be quiet to avoid people shouting over it apparently! I have to lock the gate behind me on my way up, as the gallery is not open for the congregation. I've outlined where we are with a return to singing below. Love to you all, Tony x PS: If you're not already aware, there is no 11:30 Mass at Bart's during October (and probably also November). |
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As things stand: From the current Guidelines from HM Government for singing in church: "While the congregation is still not able to sing, from 15 August small choirs will be able to sing during services indoors and outdoors. "There should be no group singing by worshippers. […] Small groups of professional or non-professional singers will be able to sing in front of worshippers both outdoors and indoors from 15 August. Singing in groups should be limited to a small set group of people and should not include audience participation. Where music plays a big part in worship, and recordings are available, we suggest you consider using these as an alternative to live singing. […] Except for the limited circumstances outlined above, people should avoid singing, shouting, raising voices and/or playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult or that may encourage shouting. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets. Therefore, spoken responses during worship should also not be in a raised voice." The emboldened words above are my emphasis. Couple the above with the current Church guidelines that emphasise the need to maintain social distancing (every other bench out of use and a one-way system that would be impossible on the stairs or at the gallery entrance), the fact the resultant capacity of the church (55-60?) means the retro-chapel is always full (at least at the 11:30 I attend), that we would probably only be able to fit 12-14 singers (maximum) in the gallery (even if it were to be permitted to sing 'above - so down on - and behind' the congregation), the fact that Mass has to be short... and so it goes on....... And now things seem to be going downhill again.... I wish I had happier news to offer, something I rather hoped I'd be able to do after last month's Update. Our last whole practice together was on 10 March (Tuesday after 2nd Lent). If we can be back by Tuesday 2 March at least we'll be able to pick up where we left off!! |
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The efficacy of this Covid-19 Self-Test is uncertain, but a number of Choir members have reported that the accuracy of the result is without doubt. Please use it responsibly if you choose to do so.
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The October Jigsaw - a possibly tricky 63 pieces to remember the times we live in. |
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Latest Forthcoming Dates List The latest Dates List (revised and dated 23 June) may be found HERE. Forthcoming Polyphony Choir Music Future music to be advised when prudent to do so Cantors practices Will be updated when prudent to do so Forthcoming Plainchant Choir Music Future music to be advised when prudent to do so Forthcoming Hymn Choir Music |
Prayers, please Special prayers this month, please, for Daniel Battle, who was diagnosed with heart failure back in June, and is undergoing treatment for it, and for John Ambler who is undergoing treatment for signs of pancreatic cancer. Please continue to pray for Terry Jupp, Rosemary, Suzanne's Mum in Ireland, Maria's recovery, Veronica's husband Graham and sister Monica, Ken's niece Beth, Mary & Frank Elliott and my Mum & Dad, Sheila and David. With visiting the sick and needy being so difficult at the moment, perhaps an extra prayer or two continues to be warranted. |
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St. Bart's Memories No. 39 will appear in November's edition |
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For your coffee breaks Does your favourite teabag brand contain plastic - thought provoking for some, perhaps! BBC News Damian Thompson asks "Is it time for Christianity to go underground?" The Spectator Open House London 2020 have produced a series of short (c.3 mins) videos about a number of venues Open House Diary date! Live at 19:00 on 2 November - Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Clarinet Quintet RCM Live YouTube has fun (and brief) histories of Carshalton & Wallington Fifty Catholic churches to see before you die CBCEW Future events with Reigate's English Arts Chorale High Elms and Patrick Naysmyth Streatham Society A new version of Scrabble for classicists verbumsapienti A completely mad handbell arrangement of The Hallelujah Chorus Classic FM The orphaned hare that keeps coming back to say hello BBC Shorts Eric Witacre's Sleep from the First Night of the Proms BBC Proms Jonathan Scott's fabulous prom The Symphonic Organ BBC Proms Colourised footage of a 'flying train' ride through a German town PetaPixel Seven famous songs inspired by classical music BBC Radio 4 The accidental brutalist: Magda Browiecka Brixton Brewery Do listen to this haunting fusion of 15c polyphony and 21c solo jazz saxophone! YouTube A hymn to electronic music at the Design Museum IanVisits And finally - Spider season: why amorous arachnids are invading our homes BBC News |
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Previous UPDATES (some links may now be broken)
Oct12
Nov12
Dec12
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