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Over the Christmas
break I visited Rome with the assistant Organist from Westminster Cathedral
and his wife for a short city break. We visited many interesting sites, the
most exciting of which was the Vatican, the City Cathedral, where Palestrina
was Director of Music, the Sistine Chapel, where the famous Miserere by
Allegri was first heard, and St Peter’s.
It was in St. Peter’s when it dawned on me how lucky we are to have such
dedicated and able trebles at Merton! The scene was amazing the light was
low, incense in the air, a long procession and then the papal trebles began
to sing, and yes it sounded like a fire in a pet shop! Poor tuning, bad
diction and behind the beat singing they had it all, and it filled me with a
sense of pride that we have so many good young musicians in our choir.
Our trebles work hard and are always expected to deliver a high standard of
musicianship, with two rehearsals a week, Wednesdays including aural and
theory tests and Fridays repertoire with the full choir they have to be on
the ball, which most of the time they are and they have to put up with a
fussy choirmaster!
As a treat for our hard working trebles they will be having fun at the local
David Lloyd Club with the Girl Choristers of Guildford Cathedral on the
twenty fifth of March. This will be followed by a choral workshop with David
Davies the assistant Master of Music in St Mary’s and then choral evensong
with both choirs.
It would be great if we could get the whole day subsidised as there are some
minor expenses. I ask the congregation for support, if you would like to
make a donation to this exciting opportunity for our trebles please see
either myself or the Treasurer, your support would be much appreciated.
Please put the date in your diaries and come to the Evensong service as it
promises to be a special moment in the life of the choir at St Mary’s.
With thanks and regards for 2006.
Karl Dorman
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