Society of Saint Gregory

Having attended 61 proms I have my favourites. I agree that the Reformation Day was excellent especially the second concert. I felt that it should have been amalgamated with the organ recital as that did not attract a large audience. 1 p.m. is hardly a convenient time for organists and others coming...

I might add various other liturgical horrors at this service. First item This is the day and the tune then used for the Alleluia and the Great Amen. Clapping Gloria replaced the Lefltly in the booklet. Sanctus unknown to me and tricky to sing. Acclamation in the Eucharistic prayer "He is Lord&q...

In response to a letter in The Tablet this week I wrote as follows: Tim Gillett is appalled at the lack of singing at the first Holy Communion service at Thames Ditton. I looked up the parish website and a choir sings at one of the Sunday Masses. No audition needed and no mention of who organises th...

The real point here is Why don't people come to the Vigil? It is part of the Triduum and should be the highpoint of the whole year. Some say it is too long. Sadly people's attention spans are now so short. Another point worth making is that the people can follow the liturgy in the Mass books and if ...

It is a pity about changing the rise in pitch for Lumen Christi as it mirrors This is the wood of the cross and it is effective if well sung! Interesting to note that the threefold plainchant Alleluia is not as ubiquitous as I thought!

While I have never found the word committee in the Bible, there can be value in meeting to reflect on what was good and what could be better. A good way to start the meeting is a short lectio on the Gospel.

I forgot to say that Martin Hall was organist at Erith for many years.

It is sad to have to report the sudden death of Gerrard Goodhind as the age of 65. Gerrard sang bass in the choir of Our Lady of the Angels, Erith, Kent for many years. I knew him through the Catenians as a dear and much loved friend, secretary of Blackheath and Chislehurst circle and outstanding ed...

Printing this off to read it - saw reports on Face Book and pleased to see a paragraph on remuneration.

Well done family must always come first!

You sang it to Blaenwern!!!!!

The Westminster Abbey midnight mass felt more like a concert despite an excellent sermon from the Dean. The gospel was unclear and echoey. I did not like the carol before the sermon described by the BBC as the gospel acclamation which it wasn't! I know the triple plainchant Alleluia is becoming univ...

Outstanding this year Midnight Mass from St Chad's cathedral Birmingham with Archbishop Bernard singing beautifully and giving a fine homily. The choir were excellent even managing Darke In the bleak midwinter unaccompanied! I recall the choir in the organ loft at St Chad's but their position meant ...

JW you are right. The elderly in particular find loud sounds hard to bear. It is interesting that many funerals now do have music where before silence was golden! Unfortunately too often inappropriate recordings. I think one should celebrate as well as have times of quiet and indeed silence.

I went to the excellent Opus Anglicanum exhibition at the Victoria and Albert. Anyone who loves vestments should go. There is one cope from Arundel and Brighton which is just fabulous and a beauty from the Vatican. However a Burse was described as a purse. I have informed the V and A what it really ...