2006

Saturday 7th January saw Tom, Chris, Wesley, Helen, William, Alastair, Ed & Peter travelling to St Albans Abbey to join the Southern Cathedral Singers to rehearse and sing Evensong. The music included Smith Responses, canticles in E by Murrill and Stanford's "How beauteous are their feet."

The following weekend, we were off to Bishop's Stortford for a training session for the rest of the season's music under the directorship of Andrew Bruce.

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Hamish retired as Head Chorister of St Mary’s Choir on Sunday 8^th January 2006, when he was presented with a traditional hard bound “Messiah”, to mark the end of his leadership, by the Rev. Michael Roden and Director of Music, Alan Childs.

Although Hamish came to St Mary’s Choir fairly late in his treble career – on a free transfer from St Ippollitts when he had already received his light blue ribbon, at the age of 11, and attended his first rehearsal on 24^th June 2003 – he has certainly made his mark in his short spell in the front row. .

Not only has he been a star member of the forward line of the choir’s football team, but he also showed a strong enthusiasm for taking the RSCM exams, beginning with a successful attempt at the Dean’s Award in November 2004, soon after which, in early 2005, he was appointed Deputy Head Chorister. He made even greater progress in 2005 when he passed his Bishop’s Award last May, and was appointed Head Chorister last term.

Hamish is a very calm character, but has been a quietly effective leader of a relatively young line of trebles. He will be particularly remembered for his instruction to the younger trebles in the art of processing, and at the end of almost every weekly rehearsal he has put the boys through their paces, practising walking steadily in straight lines , with square corners when turning, around the church. At the end of both the choir rehearsals in his final week he led the boys around a specially extended processional route – along both aisles and up the nave, obviously wishing to make sure that they do not slacken off in the slightest at the end of his term of office!

We thank Hamish for his leadership and send him our best wishes for his descent into the lower voice parts of the choir.

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The first week of the Easter holidays saw Alastair off again with his sister Lorna, Hannah and Jeremy for the Millennium Youth Choir Easter Course in Bangor led by David Ogden. The course included a trip to Aberdaron on the Lleyn peninsula where they recorded two programmes for BBC Radio Wales in a tiny church on the sea shore. One of the programmes included a solo hymn verse by Alastair which was broadcast on Radio Wales on Palm Sunday morning. On the final day they travelled to Llandudno to give a concert at St Paul’s Church, Craig Y Don.

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In Holy Week Thomas, Aidan & Wesley were at the RSCM Easter Course based at Oakham School led by Andrew Bruce. The highlight of the week was a trip to Cambridge to sing a Sequence of Music and Readings for Lent in Trinity College Chapel. This included “Ex ore innocentium” by Ireland, “O vos omnes” by Correa and “Solus ad victimam” by Leighton.

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After a busy few days singing the Holy Week and Easter services in Hitchin, Helen, Alastair, Ed , together with Lorna and Hannah from St Faith's, went to Canterbury for the day to sing Evensong with the newly formed RSCM Southern Cathedral Singers Chamber Consort. The music included Byrd’s Responses, his Second Service and his anthem “O Sing Joyfully”. Helen, Hannah and Lorna were all given solo or quartet parts.

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The 1^st May was the 60^th anniversary of former York Minster organist, Edward Bairstow’s death. Thomas, Helen, Wesley , Alastair, Ed, and Peter were invited to join RSCM Cathedral Singers from all over the country for a special Evensong. Under the directorship of Gordon Appleton, they sang Smith Responses, Bairstow’s Canticles in D and Bairstow’s “Blessed City, Heavenly Salem”.

During rehearsals they were filmed by a BBC camera crew making a six-part documentary on the working life of York Minster.

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The 13^th May was the Diocesan examination day for the RSCM Dean’s and Bishop’s Awards. Connor and Peter both passed their Dean’s Award with Merit. Christopher passed his Bishop’s Award and Ed Kisby, the first bass in St Mary’s to take this exam, passed his Bishop’s Award with distinction. They were presented with their medals at the morning service on 21^st May at which probationers Anya and Ebe were also formally admitted into the choir and presented with their surplices. All would like to record their thanks to Alan Childs for his time, patience and expertise in training and accompanying them.

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The 13th May was the RSCM's annual celebration day in Guildford Cathedral. The RSCM is moving its headquarters from the Diocese later this year and it seemed fitting to hold the celebration there. Edward made his cathedral debut and was joined by Thomas, Helen, William, Wesley, Aidan, Alastair, Ed , Rose, Peter & James and Carolyn, Rose & Lizzie from St Faith's. The four trebles had the honour of leading out the choristers’ procession of several hundred choristers drawn from all over the region for this prestigious event. The music included “Fountain of Sweets” by Aston, the Magnificat in D by Dyson and Watson Henderson’s “The Beatitudes”. Amongst those honoured with an Associateship of the RSCM this year were Andrew Bruce, director of many courses that our trebles have attended, and Canon Lucy Winkett, Precentor of St Paul’s Cathedral, who visited us as part of the “Seven Words” tour in Lent.

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This year's Ascension Day Service at the foot of the tower was the first attended by the St Mary's Girls' Choir. it was also the first time that this service was filmed by the BBC for the Look East programme shown later that day.

The service of Morning Prayer for Ascension was held at the foot of the tower, before the choir climbed the stairs to sing the Praetorious anthem "The Lord ascendeth up on high" from the top, also accompanied by the camera!

Michael Roden and several of the children were interviewed by the BBC after the service and then we all enjoyed a barbequed breakfast before going on our way.

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The last event of the Spring season was on a wet and chilly Spring Bank Holiday at the most northerly cathedral of the Southern region, Lincoln. Thomas, Helen, William, Alastair, Ed, & Peter, together with Rose & Lizzie from St Faith's, made the journey to sing Ayleward’s Responses, Canticles in D by Dyson and Finzi’s anthem “God has gone up” under the directorship of John Wardle.

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17th June was the biennial Diocesan Choirs Festival at St Albans Abbey; this year under the baton of Simon Johnson, the Abbey's assistant Director of Music. The extremely hot and humid day was attended by over 300 choristers from all over the Diocese including a large contingent from St Mary's and St Faith's choirs.

Evensong was preceded by a recital from the Abbey Girl's Choir and the service started with Parnell's "Father hear the prayer we offer". The Responses were by Martin Neary with a setting of the Lord's Prayer by John Tavener. Contemporary composition was also seen in the setting of Psalm 150 by Noel Rawsthorne. The Canticles were Bairstow in D and the main anthem was Haydn's "Insanae et vanae curae".

At this point in the service came the presentation of the Diocesan and National Awards gained during the last two years by The Dean of St Albans and the Bishop of Bedford. Those receiving certificates from St Mary's and St Faith's were:

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After the formality of the previous day at The Abbey, St Mary’s choir held their annual choir barbeque in the grounds of Purwell Mill.

With the stream at a deep enough level, many of the children tried their hand at rowing and fortunately nobody fell in!

A game of football followed

and the afternoon was concluded with the now traditional “community singing” of songs from the shows with David Bullen at the keyboard.

Thank you to Louise and Wendy for organising the event and to Ed, Carolyn, Lorna and Alastair for hosting us.

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This year the celebrations for our Patronal Festival lasted over two weekends starting with a Deanery Choral Evensong on Sunday 25^th June.

The guest preacher was Revd Canon Dr Dennis Stamps, the Diocesan Ministerial Development Officer, who enlightened us further on our Patron Saint.

The choir was joined by members of St Faith’s choir and sang music from the Diocesan Festival held the previous week (see separate report), including Noel Rawsthorne’s setting of Psalm 150, Bairstow’s Canticles in D and Haydn’s “Insane et vanea curae”. The service was followed by refreshments.

On the 2^nd July we held a Festival Sung Communion where the preacher was Elizabeth Bunker. After many years (a lifetime!) of service to St Mary's as member of the congregation, member of various church committees, churchwarden, lay reader, as well as being a friend to so many here; Elizabeth is to be ordained deacon on September 24^th at St Albans. She will then become Assistant curate in the Team Parish of Baldock in September. We congratulate Elizabeth on this appointment and send our very best wishes to her family in this great endeavour. We will miss her company greatly.

The new traditionally designed gold stole and chasuble that Michael is wearing in the photographs was dedicated earlier in the service. This has been donated by Mary Jones Davies and is for use on “High Days and Holy “Days.” The following Sunday saw the dedication of a green stole and chasuble, in a contemporary fish design, for use in “ordinary time”, donated by another member of our congregation. Our grateful thanks go to both contributors for their generosity and their determination that St Mary's should look special when prayers are being said.

The singing was enhanced by the presence of brass players from The Knights Templar School for the hymn “All people that on earth do dwell” arranged by Vaughan Williams and Parry’s anthem “I was glad”.

At the beginning of the service we were also able to congratulate the bell ringers on winning the Hertfordshire County Association of Change Ringers Northern District Striking Competition.

After the final hymn we processed out to the south side of the tower to dedicate the new Rhythms of the World banner designed by James & Rosie Sawyer and painted by the children of Seekers.

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The summer season started appropriately with a visit to the seaside to sing in Portsmouth Cathedral on 10^th June, again under the directorship of John Wardle. Edward made his debut with the Southern Cathedral Singers and was joined by Thomas, Helen, William, Aidan, Wesley, Alastair & Ed on a blisteringly hot day to sing Ayleward Responses, Harwood’s Canticles in A and “I saw a new heaven” by Bainton.

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The Choral Summer Report

The first weekend of the summer holidays was an outing for the SCS Chamber Consort to Chelmsford. Helen Gimson was the only Hitchin representative free to attend and although there was only one bass they still managed Rose Responses, Howell’s Collegium Regale and Tallis’ “Salvator Mundi”.

Then on the first weekend in August Peter, Ed & Alastair set off to Wells Cathedral for the Girls and Adults Cathedral Course. This included a midweek singing visit to nearby Glastonbury and climb up the Tor, in readiness for tackling the subsequent music in Wells, featuring the Walton Chichester Service.

Soon afterwards Thomas was in nearby Salisbury for the Cathedral Course for Boys and Men; the highlight of his week being a performance of Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb”.

In the same week William, Aidan, Wesley & Lizzie were on the annual young singers’ week in Bath. Jeremy Smith was also in attendance for his 7^th year, but this time as a House Captain. This is always a popular course, as much for the fun and friendship as the music.

The end of August saw Hannah Goose, Lorna Kisby, Alastair and Jeremy Smith attending the Millennium Youth Choir Summer Course in St Paul’s Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral. It was their third year running singing at St Paul's and they enjoyed actually staying in London this year. They recorded items for 'Songs of Praise' shown on Sunday 17^th September at St Jude’s in Hampstead.

Then they moved on to Winchester for the first time, staying at the university. Jeremy was fortunate to sing bass solo in the same anthem in 3 venues in a week: St Paul's, Romsey Abbey (in the live Radio 3 broadcast of Choral Evensong) and Winchester Cathedral.

With the courses ending Peter went to Portsmouth for the day with the SCS Chamber Consort to sing Rose responses, Howells Canticles in G and Joubert’s “O Lorde the maker of al thing”.

HBG, EJK & JS

St Mary’s raises another SCS Head Chorister, who then strikes GOLD!

Many congratulations to Thomas, St Mary’s Deputy Head Chorister, who from September has been appointed as Head Chorister of the Southern Cathedral Singers. Tom has been singing regularly with the “away” team for most of his treble years, and has experience of singing in a host of different cathedrals around the country. He recently attended his first RSCM Summer Cathedral Course in Salisbury and has enjoyed many other residential courses, obviously thriving on the competition from his elder and younger brother choristers. Tom continues a long line of previous SCS Head Choristers from St Mary’s. Look out for him leading the line at future events!

The autumn season is now well under way with Edward successfully passing his first SCS audition at All Saints, Leighton Buzzard. A number of regular SCS singers came to join with those taking auditions to sing Evensong.

At the end of September, William, Thomas & Edward travelled to St Michaels and All Angels, Brighton, to join a mixed SCS choir for their Michaelmas Evensong and Benediction. The music included Byrd’s “Ave Verum”, Tomkin responses, Canticles in D by Brewer and Bullock’s “Give us the Wings of Faith”.

On 21st November Thomas took and successfully passed the RSCM Gold Award - the first treble in St Mary's to do so. This, the highest singing award, involves the preparation of 7 anthems, a psalm, a hymn, sight-reading, written work and questions on all of the aforementioned: a significant achievement for a 12-year old. Well done Tom!

HBG & EJK

A late autumn afternoon date produced the spark for a change in the fortunes of Decani, who had lost their previous two matches in this series, but scored their highest total to record a first win.

Beginning confidently, they took a early lead via a family affair, with Peter W and his brother James fiercely contesting a ball which resulted in an own goal – a plot which backfired?

Cantoris were soon able to respond with a well taken goal from Head Chorister Wesley H, who proved to be his team’s shooting star, roared on from the touchline by a familiar female supporter, by adding a second later in the match with a cascading shot for the goal of the match.

Whilst elsewhere Premiership referee Graham Poll contributed to the snuffing out of Chelsea chief Roman’s candle of hope at White Hart Lane, we were fortunate that our own stage celebrity Mike Steele chose not to “light the blue touch paper and retire immediately” but instead suspended his refereeing retirement to officiate at Purwell without fear or favour, and stamp on any budding Robert Catesby types.

It was the partisan crowd who incurred his early wrath, and (despite not daring to utter anti-Hatter chants) were soon reprimanded and ordered to move back from conspiratorial encroachment onto the touchline through over-excitement. They had a good deal to witness, as Rev Michael Roden conjured up memories of Jose Mourinho’s recent slithering touchline celebrations in Barcelona with a spectacular slide down the line – though without the latter’s suit cleaning bill -striving to ensure that his skills obliterated the memory of last year’s yellow card. He was supported valiantly on the pitch by Pieter, and opposed by a lively Willeke and Janet.

Not to be outdone, further touchline excitement ensued as our senior chorister, Mary Day, tired of spectating, stunned the referee by storming onto the pitch to intercept a pass heading in her direction, in the cause of a fired up Decani team scenting imminent success.

The pleasantly calm and dry conditions meant unusually little use of guys forking the divots back into the pitch at half time. Perhaps they received a warmer reception later?

King James’ namesake, in the Cantoris forward line, shrugged off concerns that Decani might be plotting against him, and rocketed the ball through the sky into the Decani net to add to Cantoris’ score later in the match.

Decani meanwhile had kept their powder dry, and began to exert heavy pressure on the Cantoris defence. They were, however, dealing with a veritable Hornet’s nest in the form of Richard McAdam’s goalkeeping expertise, and he performed numerous heroic saves and clearances.

Richard “Emirates” Gould and later Alastair “Lilywhite” Kisby put aside their North London differences to score a couple of real bangers for Decani, the last proving the dying embers as the final kick of the match.

Our younger players were a spray of real sparklers, particularly Ebe and Anya I, and Ryan S-H, who all displayed great talent, and Michael F stoked up in defence. Guests Ben W exploded around the forward action, Paul Woodin kept his silvery goal net shimmering, and Mr Igwe wheeled around the pitch with ease, displaying gold star professional skill in scoring twice.

As the plot thickened, all was finally revealed by the last notes of an eventful day rendered fittingly by Director of Music Alan Childs, with a recessional Evensong procession to the organ voluntary by Handel :“The Royal Fireworks”.