Lincoln Cathedral, April 2016
In a brief but jam-packed expedition northwards, the choir visited the college's namesake, Lincoln Cathedral in April 2016. Despite a train journey marred by the loss of two gowns (subsequently retrieved at Newcastle station), the choir arrived in good spirits for our first rehearsal and evensong. In the face of some challenging conditions--the choir stalls are further apart than the width of Lincoln College chapel--we pulled off Harris's Faire is the Heaven to great effect. We were fortunate enough to have bishop Christopher himself in the congregation. He kindly treated the choir to a drinks reception in his palace after evensong; needless to say, the choir made short work of the refreshments provided! A speedy dinner and then off to Waddington, one of the college's livings, to meet our hosts.
Well-rested and relaxed, the choir rehearsed the next day in the parish church of Waddington, where we would later perform. The remainder of the day was spent exploring Lincoln's historic quarter, climbing the castle walls, investigating the treasures of the cathedral, and making the most of the city's tearoom. After evensong, this time a renaissance helping of Tallis's Short Service, Smith's Responses and Byrd's Sing Joyfully, we were whisked back to Waddington to give an evening concert in aid of church repairs. The choir performed admirably a selection of anthems for the church year, ranging from the renaissance (Weelkes's When David Heard and Civitas sancti tui by Byrd, once organist at Lincoln cathedral) to the contemporary (Tavener's Funeral Ikos and Villette's Hymne à la Vierge) via such evensong staples as Wood's Hail, gladdening light and Bairstow's Let all mortal flesh keep silence. All of the singing was warmly received by the parishioners, one of them remarking, 'you know, there are some people who can sing, and then there are those who can really sing!' After such exertions, our final day was more relaxed, culminating in a fine performance of Stanford's Evening Service in A at our third and final evensong. Special mention must go to Thierry, who not only accompanied the daily plainsong hymn with sensitivity, but also played a number of virtuosic voluntaries, all to great effect.
We extend our special thanks to bishop Christopher and his team at the cathedral, and Rev Annabel Barber and the parishioners at Waddington for the kind hopsitality to us. Thanks too to the chaplain, Mother Mel, and Eleanor Giraud, whose guidance was invaluable. It was a wonderful experience to renew the Lincoln College's connection to the cathedral and diocese--a pleasure that we hope to see repeated in years to come.
Joe Mason, 2016
Well-rested and relaxed, the choir rehearsed the next day in the parish church of Waddington, where we would later perform. The remainder of the day was spent exploring Lincoln's historic quarter, climbing the castle walls, investigating the treasures of the cathedral, and making the most of the city's tearoom. After evensong, this time a renaissance helping of Tallis's Short Service, Smith's Responses and Byrd's Sing Joyfully, we were whisked back to Waddington to give an evening concert in aid of church repairs. The choir performed admirably a selection of anthems for the church year, ranging from the renaissance (Weelkes's When David Heard and Civitas sancti tui by Byrd, once organist at Lincoln cathedral) to the contemporary (Tavener's Funeral Ikos and Villette's Hymne à la Vierge) via such evensong staples as Wood's Hail, gladdening light and Bairstow's Let all mortal flesh keep silence. All of the singing was warmly received by the parishioners, one of them remarking, 'you know, there are some people who can sing, and then there are those who can really sing!' After such exertions, our final day was more relaxed, culminating in a fine performance of Stanford's Evening Service in A at our third and final evensong. Special mention must go to Thierry, who not only accompanied the daily plainsong hymn with sensitivity, but also played a number of virtuosic voluntaries, all to great effect.
We extend our special thanks to bishop Christopher and his team at the cathedral, and Rev Annabel Barber and the parishioners at Waddington for the kind hopsitality to us. Thanks too to the chaplain, Mother Mel, and Eleanor Giraud, whose guidance was invaluable. It was a wonderful experience to renew the Lincoln College's connection to the cathedral and diocese--a pleasure that we hope to see repeated in years to come.
Joe Mason, 2016