Choir Trip to England, Summer 2009

Provisional Itinerary

Wednesday 19th August

· Belfast International, depart 2.50pm (Easyjet flight 166).
Please make your own way to airport.
· Arrive London Luton 4pm
· Coach to All Saints Pastoral Centre (SPEC), London Colney. (see details below)
· Arrive c. 5pm
· Settling in time / unpacking
· Talk 6pm – rules and expectations
· Dinner at SPEC 6.30pm
· Organised games for choristers


Thursday 20th August

· Breakfast at SPEC 8.30am
· Depart from SPEC for St Albans in coach 10am
· Arrive St Albans 10.30am
· Free time in St Albans. Picnic lunch (provided)
· Rehearse in St Albans song school 2-3.30pm
· Rehearse in church 3.45pm
· Break for changing/robing 4.30pm – refreshments provided
· Evensong 5pm
· Depart St Albans 6pm, arrive SPEC 6.30pm
· Dinner at SPEC 6.30pm
· Organised games for choristers


Friday 21st August

· Breakfast at SPEC 8.30am
· Free time in morning at SPEC: activities to be organized (tbc) – e.g. walks, mountain biking, football
· Lunch at SPEC 12.30pm
· Rehearsal in SPEC chapel 2.30-4pm
· 4pm break – refreshments provided
· Service in SPEC chapel 5pm, lead by Colin Young
· Dinner at SPEC 6.30pm
· Organised games for choristers

Saturday 22nd August – FREE DAY

· Breakfast at SPEC 8.30am
· Choristers trip to Legoland (and anyone else who wants to go)
· Gents can make own plans (you’re welcome to come to Legoland!)
· Dinner at SPEC 6.30pm for choristers and anyone else who wants it


Sunday 23rd August

· Bags to be packed before breakfast
· Breakfast at SPEC, 8am (choir uniform to be worn, there won’t be time to change later)
· Depart SPEC in coach for Windsor 8.45am
· Arrive Windsor 9.30am
· Rehearse in “dungeon” at Windsor Castle 9.30am
· Matins (men only) 10.45am. Choristers to be entertained in dungeon – bring books/computer games
· Eucharist (men and boys) 11.45am
· Lunch in restaurant (this will be paid for by the vestry for all singers)
· Afternoon rehearsal 3.30pm
· Break 4.45pm – refreshments provided
· Evensong 5.15pm
· Depart in coach for airport (London Luton) 6.30pm
· Dinner at airport (choristers paid for – gents please make own arrangements)
· Depart 9.30pm (Easyjet flight 173). Arrive 10.45pm

NOTES:
1. All meals / snacks / legoland entry are paid for for the choristers: other than pocket money the boys do not need to bring any money with them.
2. Robes and music will be transported for us by one of the chorister’s parents who is taking a car over.
3. Gents: you can opt out of any meals at SPEC if you want (e.g. on Saturday if you spend the day on London you might want to opt out of evening meal). But I will need to know your plans in advance.
4. Gents: London Colney is a short taxi drive from St Albans (which has the highest density of pubs in England) for evening entertainment possibilities…
5. Gents: there is a good train service from St Albans into London.

ACCOMMODATION – ALL SAINTS PASTORAL CENTRE

All Saints Pastoral centre, Tel: 01727 828888
Shenley Lane, Website: www.spec.org.uk
London Colney,
St Albans,
Hertfordshire, AL2 1AG


SPEC began in 1993. The name developed from the Latin 'Speculum Vitae' which translates to 'Mirror to Life'. SPEC is also an acronym for Spiritual, Personal/Peer, Educational, Community. It is a residential centre that works with young people, either in organized programmes run by the centre or by providing accommodation for groups with self-led programmes.

The accommodation
The accommodation is mainly in bunk beds in shared rooms. Bedding is provided.
Guests need to bring their own towels and toiletries.

Rooms available are as follows:
Sleeping 8 people: 1 room
Sleeping 6 people: 1 room
Sleeping 4 people: 4 rooms
Sleeping 3 people: 1 room
Sleeping 2 people: 8 rooms
Sleeping 1 person: 1 room

Insurance

SPEC has public liability insurance for events and activities run by their teams on site, e.g. archery / assault course etc. Please arrange your own travel insurance.

Meals
Three meals are provided daily (although we won’t necessarily be in for all three).

Breakfast 8.30am Cereal, toast
Lunch 12.30pm Baked potatoes, pizza, salad, baguettes
Fruit, yoghurt
Dinner 6.30pm Hot meal, usually choice of main courses, incl. vegetarian option

Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits are available at break times
There are vending machines on site.


Other Facilities
Basketball
Assault course
Archery range
Football pitch
40 acres of land including Woodland – mountain bikes available for hire
Games room


People coming on choir tour 2009

Boys Probationers
Joshua Booth Jonah Davey (own travel arrangements)
Rowan Brown Jude Herdman
Ewan Docherty Saul Herdman
Michael Forrester Jake Lowry (own travel arrangements)
Michael Hong Oliver Rhodes
Michael Shorten
Jacob Somerville

Parents
Stephanie Alexander
Claire Booth (“official” adult with chorister supervision responsibilities)
Jacqueline Brown
Jill Docherty (“official” adult)
Ruth Forrester (Robes mistress)
William Forrester
Jun Hong
Weiru Hong
Adrienne Shorten
Caroline Somerville

Back row under-18s
Tor Alexander (bass)
Alan Burns (tenor)
Matthew Jeffrey (tenor)
Callum Maxwell (tenor)

Men
David McElderry (alto)
Geoff Higgins (tenor)
Brian Hunter (bass)
Steven Irwin (bass)
Mark McGuire (tenor)
Ed McMullan (alto)
Jonny Roberts (bass)

Staff Other
Richard Campbell Geraldine Black
Emma Gibbins Agnes Cairns
Colin Young Raymond Cairns

Letter to choir from Emma Gibbins

Dear Choir,


Firstly, very many thanks to you all for your support of the various fund raising events for choir tour. I have been delighted by the response and by people’s generosity. So thank you once again for your help and support.

In preparation for tour, it would be good to have a few pre-tour rehearsals, as follows:

Thursday 13th August All boys 4-5.30pm

Friday 14th August All boys 4-5.30pm

Monday 17th August All boys 6.30-8.15pm
Men 7.30-9pm


If there are any major problems with these suggested rehearsals, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks.

Finally, I am planning an end of term party after the final Evensong of term, on the 28th June, and I hope you will all be able to stay for that. Parents/family welcome!

Many thanks and I hope you’re looking forward to the trip as much as I am,

Emma

Ship of Fools

Some of the choir may be interested to see that St George's was featured and reviewed on international website "Ship of Fools".

As unlikely as it may seem, they have a "Mystery Worshipper" section which despatches covert worshippers to churches all over the world to assess "questions which go to the heart of church life: How long was the sermon? How hard the pew? How cold was the coffee? How warm the welcome?"

The only clue they have been there at all is the Mystery Worshipper calling card, dropped discreetly into the collection plate.

See how St George's Belfast fared by clicking THIS LINK

Choristers' concert

The choristers will be performing a fund raising concert on Friday 13th March at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.

Proceeds will go to the choir tour fund. The choir will be visiting England in the summer and singing at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle and St Alban's Abbey. Do come and support the concert if you can!

Emma Gibbins

St George's Chapel, Windsor

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February 2009 Music list

Sunday 1st February Candlemas
11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir Men

Hymn: Hail to the Lord who comes 157
Setting: Byrd III
Psalm: 24: 7-10
Hymn: Faithful vigil ended 44 (tune 282)
Hymn: The God of Abraham praise 148 (omit v. 2 & 3)
Motet: Senex puerum portabat - Byrd
Hymn: At the name of Jesus 338
Organ voluntary: Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, BWV 616
- Bach

5 pm Choral Evensong Parish Choir

Introit: Hail gladdening light - Stainer
Hymn: Of the Father’s heart begotten 33 (omit v. 2 & 3)
Responses: Clucas
Psalm: 122
Canticles: Stanford in B flat
Anthem: When to the temple Mary went - Eccard
Hymn: Sing how the age-long promise of a Saviour 156
(tune 288)
Hymn: Christ whose glory fills the skies 234
Organ voluntary:


Sunday 8th February 3rd before Lent

11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir

Hymn: O for a thousand tongues to sing 415
Setting: Harris in F
Psalm: 147: 1-12
Hymn: Immortal love for ever full 378
Hymn: Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old 324 (tune 376)
Motet: Jesu joy of man’s desiring - Bach
Hymn: We have a gospel to proclaim 486
Organ voluntary:

5 pm Choral Evensong Chamber Choir

Hymn: Come ye faithful raise the anthem 351
Responses: Smith
Psalm: 4
Canticles: Noble in B minor
Anthem: Cantique de Jean Racine - Fauré
Hymn: Forth in the peace of Christ we go 361
Organ voluntary: Ciacona - Muffat


Sunday 15th February 2nd before Lent
11 am Sung Eucharist Sine nomine

Hymn: All creatures of our God and King 263 (omit v. 5 &6)
Setting: Missa l’Hora passa - Viadana
Psalm: 104: 26-37
Hymn: Father of heaven whose love profound 358 (tune ii)
Hymn: Praise to the holiest in the height 439
Motet: O sacrum convivium - Croce
Hymn: Christ is the world’s true light 494
Organ voluntary: 2 verses - Anon (17th century)

5 pm Choral Evensong Men’s Voices

Hymn: Lord of beauty, thine the splendour 265
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm: 65
Canticles: Plainsong
Anthem: Evening Hymn - Purcell
Hymn: Saviour again to thy dear name we raise 250
Organ voluntary: 2 pieces for Musical Clock - Haydn


Sunday 22nd February Sunday before Lent
11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir

Hymn: Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round 355
Setting: Stanford in C/F
Psalm: 50: 1-6
Hymn: ‘Tis good Lord to be here 178
Hymn: God of mercy, God of grace 366
Motet: The Lord bless you and keep you - Rutter
Hymn: From glory to glory advancing 286

Easter Term 2009 Music Diary

Thursday practice times
Probationers 5.30-7pm
Junior trebles 6.30-8.15pm
Senior trebles 7-8.15pm
Men 7.30-9pm


Tuesday 6th Jan Sung Eucharist for Epiphany, 8pm: Men
Rehearsal: 7pm

Thurs 8th Jan Normal practices resume. Followed by choir gents ‘Christmas’ dinner.

Fri 9th Jan Normal practice for boys, followed by Bowling

Sunday 11th Jan Eucharist: Men and boys
Epiphany Carol Service, 5pm: Chamber choir
Rehearsal 3.30pm

Sunday 18th Jan Men and boys

Sunday 25th Jan Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Men

Sunday 1st Feb Eucharist: Men
Evensong: Men and boys

Saturday 7th Feb Wedding, 12.30pm: Men and boys Rehearsal 11.30am

Sunday 8th Feb Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Chamber choir

Thur 12th Feb No practice – half term

Fri 13th Feb No practice – half term

Sun 15th Feb Choir Holiday

Sun 22nd Feb Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Men

Wed 25th Feb Ash Wednesday. Sung Eucharist, 8pm: Chamber choir
Rehearsal 6.45pm

Sun 1st March Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Boys

Sun 8th March Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Chamber choir

Fri 13th March Fund raising concert - to be given by the boys
Sun 15th March Men and boys

Sun 22nd March (Mothering Sunday)
Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Men

Sun 29th March (Passion Sunday)
Eucharist: Men
Service of readings and Music for Passiontide, 5pm: Chamber choir
Rehearsal 3.30pm

Boys to sing at Re-opening service at St Malachy’s, 3pm. Details to follow.

Sun 5th April (Palm Sunday)
Men and boys

Thursday 9th April (Maundy Thursday) Sung Eucharist 8pm, rehearsal 7pm
Men and boys

Friday 10th April (Good Friday)
12 noon - 1pm Boys Rehearsal 11am
1pm - 3pm Men

Saturday 11th April (Easter Eve) Sung Eucharist 8pm, rehearsal 7pm: Men

Sunday 12th April (Easter Day)
Eucharist: Men and boys
Evensong: Chamber choir

Thur 16th/Fri 17th No practices

Sun 19th April Choir Holiday


NEXT TERM:

Thur 23rd April Rehearsals resume AND St George’s Day EVENING SERVICE
– parish choir + chamber choir
Fri 24th April Boys’ rehearsals resume
Sun 26th April Sung services resume


ADVANCE NOTICE: Chamber choir Concert Saturday 23rd May
Rehearsal on the Saturday afternoon + extra rehearsal some time in the fortnight preceding concert
Fund raiser for St Malachy’s Church / St George’s choir funds


ADVANCE NOTICE: PARISH CHOIR SUMMER CHOIR TOUR
Wednesday 19th August – Sunday 23rd August Please keep these dates free!

Plans so far: Thursday 20th August: Evensong at St Albans Abbey
Sunday 23rd August: Services at St George’s Chapel, Winsor Castle

December 2008 Music List

Sunday 7th December Advent 2
11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir

Hymn: Hark! A herald voice is calling 5
Setting: Darke in A minor
Psalm: 85. 1-2, 8-13
Hymn: Lift up your heads ye mighty gates 8 (t. 128ii)
Hymn: The Lord will come and not be slow 15
Motet: Remember O thou man - Ravenscroft
Hymn: Judge eternal, throned in splendour 490
Organ voluntary: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 - Bach

5 pm Choral Evensong Parish Choir

Hymn: Ye servants of the Lord 18
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm: 40. 12-19
Canticles: Plainsong
Anthem: Lo how a rose e’er blooming - Praetorius
Hymn: Jesu, Lover of my soul 383
Organ voluntary: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660 - Bach


Sunday 14th December Advent 3
11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir Men

Organ music: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 - Bach
Hymn: On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry 12
Setting: Plainsong
Psalm: 126
Hymn: The race that long in darkness pined 57
Hymn: Hills of the North rejoice 7
Motet: Alma redemptor Mater - Palestrina
Hymn: Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes 6
Organ voluntary: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme - Peeters


5 pm Choral Evensong Chamber Choir

Hymn: Creator of the stars of night 1
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm: 68. 1-8
Canticles: Fauxbourdon Setting - Andreas
Anthem: E’en so Lord Jesus - Manz
Hymn: Lo he comes with clouds descending 9
Organ voluntary: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661 - Bach



Sunday 21st December Advent 4
11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir

Hymn: Sing we of the blessed Mother 185
Setting: Sumsion in F
Psalm: 89. 1-4, 19-26
Hymn: For Mary, Mother of our God 161 (t. 385)
Hymn: Long ago, prophets knew 10
Motet: There is no rose - Wright
Hymn: Thy Kingdom come O God 499
Organ voluntary: Magnificat II toni - Weckmann

5 pm Nine Lessons and Carols Parish Choir & Chamber Choir

Choir: Remember O thou man - Ravenscroft
The truth from above - Vaughan Williams
Lord when you came to earth - arr. Rose
Sans day carol - Rutter
The lambkin - Smyth
I saw three ships - arr. Boynton
Carols: Once in Royal David’s City 34
Unto us a child is born
O little town of Bethlehem 32
While shepherds watched their flocks 42
O come all ye faithful 30 (omit v. 7)
Hark the Herald Angels sing 26 (omit v. 4)
Organ voluntary: Dieu parmi nous (La Nativité) - Messiaen



Wednesday 24th December Christmas Eve
11 pm Midnight Mass Parish Choir

Hymn: It came upon the midnight clear 29
Setting: Missa brevis in F - Mozart
Psalm: 96
Hymn: O little town of Bethlehem 32 (omit v. 4)
Hymn: In the bleak midwinter 28
Motets: I saw three ships - Boynton
Hymn: O come all ye faithful 30 (omit v. 3, 4)
Organ voluntary: Final from Symphony no. 1 - Vierne


Thursday 25th December Christmas Day
11 am Sung Eucharist Parish Choir

Hymn: O come all ye faithful 30 (omit v. 3, 4)
Setting: Darke in F
Psalm: 98
Hymn: Unto us a boy is born! 39
Hymn: Once in Royal David’s city 34
Motet: The Lambkin - Smyth
Hymn: Hark! The herald angels sing 26
Organ voluntary: In dulci jubilo, BWV 729 - Bach



Sunday 28th December First Sunday of Christmas
11 am Sung Eucharist

Organ music: In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 197 - Buxtehude
Hymn: O little town of Bethlehem 32 (omit v. 4)
Setting: Merbecke
Psalm: 148
Hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks by night 42
Hymn: God rest ye merry gentlemen 25
Hymn: The first Nowell 36
Organ voluntary: Noël Suisse - Daquin