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Southwell, Easter
2010 (page 2)
We gathered for a meal in the refectory in the evening. Various friends, families and well wishers joined us for good food and great company. Now as a choir member of almost 20 years, I think I’m allowed to say that I noticed a considerable number of “young people” at the meal – yes, really – a new generation of Harlequins has emerged. It is great to see and strengthens our choir, but it also marks the passage of time! Back in the hotel bar, we discovered the magic potion that allows our trusty organist to reach his peak performance: port! We accompanied him dutifully….
Sunday dawned with sleepy Harlequins embarking on a full cooked breakfast before our practice in the Minster. And here begins the second lesson: it is hard enough for a tenor to sing top G on a good day, but after bacon, egg and sausage the task is quite impossible.
We sat in the centre of the Minster for the Eucharist, looking down the nave past the massive stone columns and Norman arches to the magnificent new Angel Window at the west end. We watched our conductor intently throughout the service, never taking our eyes off him, smiling at all the joyful bits in the music and engaging our audience (Peter must have been so pleased). The Hummel mass and the communion motet were the musical highlights. Feedback from listeners afterwards depended on where they had been sitting. Those at the front thought it sounded great. Those further back said they couldn’t hear us at all – but added that this was the case with all choirs! (Why don’t they sit further forward?)
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Who
we are