Always telling the story
Every December, like clockwork, the same song resurfaces: Feed the World / Do They Know It’s Christmas? And every December, I find myself cringing. The irony is staggering. Ethiopia—one of the oldest Christian nations in the world—has the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with roots stretching back to the 4th century. Yes, they do know it’s … Read more
Well, nobody at Morning Prayer can say they don’t know the tune to Ballerma now… Today’s organist special: four hymns, one melody. We started with “The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want,” followed by “In Christ there is no east or west” (Ballerma’s usual stomping ground here), then “How bright those glorious spirits shine!” and … Read more
That first piece, When to the temple Mary went by Johannes Eccard was a favourite of mine when I sang in the parish choir of my home parish church of St Patrick, Kilconriola (Ballymena). This evening, I did not expect to be listening to it, let alone writing a blog piece about the music at … Read more
This morning’s service from the Church of St John the Evangelist, Monasterevin, in Portarlington Union of Parishes had music that was played (by me) using plainsong hymns from Hymns of Prayer and Praise (published for The Panel of Monastic Musicians by The Canterbury Press Norwich). The choice of hymns from this book was to assist … Read more
A couple of weeks ago, a small group of parishioners gathered in the Church of St John the Evangelist in Monasterevin to record a Carol Service for this year. We had to keep it small because of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. And although we could listen to carols, we weren’t able to sing them. You … Read more
The first year the Carol Service of my old school, Balllymena Academy, was in St Patrick’s Parish Church was the year after I left. I remember three of us re-joining the “back row” of the choir to sing the familiar carols and other music that the choir was singing. It was lovely to be back … Read more
This time of lockdown has given many people opportunities for some extra study. I am pleased to say that I am one of them. I have just completed a five hour course in Liturgical Theology from The Liturgical Institute of the University of St Mary of the Lake, Illinois, USA. The course had five classes: … Read more
This morning, I am playing for the Eucharist in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare at 10 a.m.. The four hymns that I have chosen for the service are: 362 – O God beyond all praising 219 – From heav’n you came, helpless babe 593 – O Jesus, I have promised to … Read more
This morning I am playing for Mass at The French Church (St Paul’s, Portarlington) for Advent Sunday. It is the beginning of the Church’s Year. They hymns I have chosen link to the readings (Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary) and also for Advent in general. Opening Hymn: ICH 118 – Behold, the mountain … Read more
This morning I played the organ for the Eucharist for the Kingship of Christ in the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare. The four hymns were: 34 ICH, O worship the King 90 ICH, Hail Redeemer, King divine 231 ICH, My song is Love unknown 259 ICH, CHrist triumphant, ever reigning. … Read more