Holy Trinity Church Theale
December 2011
In Quires and places where they sing...
October 16th was our Harvest Festival this year, and during the morning Parish Communion Service we sang the anthem “O taste and see how gracious the Lord is” by Vaughan Williams. This tiny masterpiece has a soaring soprano solo which Fay sang beautifully. Later in the service we tried out a new descant for the favourite harvest hymn “We plough the fields, and scatter”. A “descant” is the additional melody sung above the main tune of a hymn by the higher voices and should make a significant verse - often the last verse - sound more joyful, dramatic or uplifting, which we hope is what we achieved on this occasion. We also hope that our music complemented the magnificent floral decorations created by Val Brown and her team, and the harvest produce donated by the primary school children and by our own congregation.
As we get to know our new priests we are also learning some new hymns and worship songs. One of these, “You’re the Word of God the Father” we sang as an anthem on 23rd October - others we try to introduce during the taking of communion so that the congregation don’t have to sing them the first time, but can choose to listen instead.
All Saints Sunday this year was 30th October when Ann and Peter introduced an evening service offering thanksgiving for the lives of loved ones who have died. During this atmospheric service, the congregation were invited to place lighted candles on the altar as the names of their loved ones were read out, and while this was taking place, the Choir sang hymns and anthems quietly from the rear of the Church. The music we sang on this occasion was the hymn “God who madest earth and heaven” to the tune Ar hyd y nos (and including a verse in Welsh!); “View me, Lord” by Richard Lloyd; and Stainer’s “God so loved the world” from The Crucifixion. As members of the Choir it was impossible for us to judge whether this contribution to the service was effective or not, and we very much hope it was not intrusive. As it has not been tried here before, any feedback would be particularly welcome.
I am very grateful to James for taking Choir Practice on 3rd November and to the Choir for managing without Philip and myself on 6th November while we were in Cornwall. We are now back, refreshed and ready for the busy period of preparation for Advent and Christmas at Holy Trinity and in the village. Do come and join in the fun!
