CE St Martin-in the-Fields Wed, Dec 10th 2014

**jean** · 06-12-14, 17:38

A good mixed student-age choir the last time I heard them.

**ardcarp** · 06-12-14, 17:46

...and aptly coming from St.M in the Fields at a time when the focus is on their excellent work for the homeless, troubled and dispossessed.

**DracoM** · 10-12-14, 12:13

Reminder today @ 3.30 p.m.

**mw963** · 10-12-14, 15:41

Too much wittering from the priest..... and we're only 10 minutes in! And we've been promised a homily - aren't we lucky - he certainly knows how to get us to turn off the radio doesn't he!

On the other hand, lovely singing. As Jean promised us...

(We also seem to be listing slightly to port (by about 4 dB) on the choir balance for some reason...)

**ardcarp** · 10-12-14, 16:13

On the other hand, lovely singing. As Jean promised us..

... but a 'student age' choir??

**Radio64** · 10-12-14, 16:15

Originally posted by ardcarp View Post

... but a 'student age' choir??

mature students?

**jean** · 10-12-14, 16:20

Not when I heard them.

I could have done withiout the Bernadette Farrell ( Longing for light, we wait in darkness)

**ardcarp** · 10-12-14, 18:13

I could have done without the Bernadette Farrell

Wasn't it pitched low too? I can't bear the current practice of writing 'accessible to the public' and kids' musicals stuff in a range A (below stave) to A above. What a groan.

**jean** · 10-12-14, 18:26

Its pitch is the least of its problems!

**ardcarp** · 10-12-14, 19:06

What did you think of the whole package, Jean?

**Alison** · 10-12-14, 19:57

I enjoyed the whole package, definitely an act of worship today, something quite spiritual and sincere about it all!

It was easy to listen with an uncritical ear if that makes any sense.

**DracoM** · 10-12-14, 20:11

Liked the vol.

**ardcarp** · 10-12-14, 21:09

I enjoyed the whole package, definitely an act of worship today, something quite spiritual and sincere about it all!

Isn't it strange how the same thing can strike people differently? I felt the liturgical aspect of CE was chopped up and somehow lost. I respect the choir for what they are, a small professional group, and today singing repertoire that wasn't overly demanding. To me they sounded good when singing gently, but when they gave it some wellie it wasn't my cup of tea. It's a personal thing.

**JohnfromGaronne** · 10-12-14, 22:26

If I may jump in with both feet on my first day, is it not strange to criticise a church service for having religious parts? I know that evensongs don't usually have sermons, but they have to complete an hour and it is surely their right to include some teaching or comment, should they so wish.

As regards the singing, I do not like mixed voice choirs with this kind of soprano sound in religious services, so I didn't manage to listen all through. As an opera chorus, I'm sure I would enjoy them, so this is no reflection on the competence of the choir.

British boy choirs are envy of the rest of the world and nowhere is there anything to approach even close to their general competence - though there are a few isolated choirs around the world that are similar, of course. I admit that I am biased because I used to be in one, and I manage to listen to this program at least once a month. Moreover each time I come to the UK I try to fit one in, which works about half the time. The last one I heard was at St Albans, when I had time to spare after arriving at Stansted, at it was a great happiness to do so. I also like the occasional repeat of broadcasts long past, and there must be very many of these that many would like to hear again. So why does the Bbc choose to send out the sort of thing it transmitted today? I am wondering.

CE St Martin-in the-Fields Wed, Dec 10th 2014

CE St Martin-in the-Fields Wed, Dec 10th 2014

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