Page 37 - Church Music Quarterly March 2018

CONGRATULATIONS
Charlie Trueman with his RSCM Gold Award Medal
YOUNG GOLD ACHIEVER
Charlie Trueman, a member of the choir
of St Margaret, North Elmsall, passed the Gold Award examination with a high mark of 131/150 at the age of only 10 years 7 months. This must make him one of the youngest candidates to achieve this award, the minimum age for entrance being 10. All at St Margaret’s are very proud of him. He has recently become a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral but still sings at St Margaret’s whenever his cathedral duties permit. Bernard Knowles, organist and ohoirmaster,
St Margaret, North Elmsall
TORONTO HONOUR
Congratulations to Edward Moroney, organist/choirmaster at St Andrew, Toronto, on having been made a member of the Order of the Diocese of Toronto (ODT) by Archbishop Colin Johnson. The presentation was in St James Cathedral on 1 January.
PASSING ON THE BATON
Sunday 17 December was memorable at
St Peter, Irthlingborough in Northamptonshire, as Donald (Don) Eggleton was made Honorary Chorister in recognition of his 45 years of devoted service to St Peter’s in general and
to the choir in particular. In all those years, only ill health has prevented Don – who is
his 90s – from attending choir practice or Sunday services. He was presented with an RSCM loyal service medal and certificate. It was like passing on the baton, as Denzel Venn and Charlie Heard, two new choristers, were
Don Eggleton with two new choristers
also admitted to the choir, which brought to mind Sydney Carter’s ‘One more step along the world I go ... and it’s from the old I travel to the new’. Don’s faithful and loyal service is an example to all. Bravo!
40 YEARS AT HARROGATE
On 1 October over 40 former choristers of
St Wilfrid, Harrogate sang choral evensong there to mark the last service of Tim Gray, who had just completed 40 years as organist and choirmaster. Smith Responses, Stanford in C, and Parry’s I was glad preceded Tim’s final voluntary of Percy Whitlock Plymouth Suite. Several former assistant organists
and previous clergy came to celebrate the occasion including the Revd Brian Pearson, David Halls who travelled up from Salisbury and Nelson Walmsley. The photograph below is courtesy of Michael Smith, who was one
of only two people who had sung at Tim’s first and last services.
Nigel Davies celebrates 25 years at Dursley, pictured with his wife Barbie.
25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
On Saturday 25 November, St Nicolas, Kings Norton, Birmingham celebrated Sylvia Fox’s 25 years of music ministry as organist and choirmistress there. As well music minister, she is the church facilities manager, overseeing the care of St Nicolas and its churchyard.
On Sunday 15 October, Nigel Davies, director of music at St James the Great, Dursley, Gloucestershire, celebrated
25 years as organist and choirmaster.
The psalm chant, Mass setting and motet
for the day were all composed by Nigel, with the chant and motet written for the occasion. A presentation from the parish at the end
of morning service was followed by a choir lunch with a further presentation from the choristers. The lunch was attended
by some 60 guests including choristers and past rectors of Dursley.
Tim Gray and choristers
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