If you could take anyone in the cathedral music world to dinner, who would it be?

[MrGongGong]

I would go for another evening with Ian Bell (ex Manders and Organ Consultant for RAH amongst other places)
great value
even though Cathedral music is not my world

[3rd Viennese School]

I would take the potential Mrs.3rd Viennese School from the 1980s out for drinks.
She sang in Rochester Cathredral once. Appears on a Hyperion CD.
Aint ssen her for yonks.

Does this count?

3VS

[ardcarp]

Intriguing

[AscribeUntoTheLad]

I would take the potential Mrs.3rd Viennese School from the 1980s out for drinks.
She sang in Rochester Cathredral once. Appears on a Hyperion CD.
Aint ssen her for yonks.

Does this count?

3VS

No.

[muticus]

Well now, FJ and the Dean Court - is that the origin of the 'oh so famous it must be Apochryphal' -profiterole story?

[Finzi4ever]

Well now, FJ and the Dean Court - is that the origin of the 'oh so famous it must be Apochryphal' -profiterole story?

Oh go on - do tell!

[muticus]

Ummm, well, allegedly.... FJ used to interview his prospective Organ Scholars over lunch at Dean Court - a pleasant meal, a nice discussion of their CV, etc etc. Then, at pudding time - he would always order profiteroles. As they were delivered he would announce (in a loud voice) 'Ah, Donkey B****cks'. The poor lad's response would determine the outcome of the interview. Horrified shock - no go - delighted amusement - you've got the job!

As I say - it is too good to be true - but I have it on VERY good authority that it is exactly what happened...(from a former YM Organ Scholar - so he should know!).

If it isn't true....it should be. ;-0

[old khayyam]

It's the same wherever you go - always laugh at the boss's jokes, and generally flatter their ego. The only qualification you need is a PhD in camaraderie..

[Vile Consort]

And, at all costs, avoid working for a humourless boss!

[muticus]

If only, if only......

[Finzi4ever]

Many thanks for this. I love the apocryphal anecdotes from our chosen sphere, especially the scurrilous ones, so long as they're not slanderous in the telling or libellous in the writing.

So come on folks, without defaming anyone by keeping them about 'anon', out with them. I'll keep my powder dry until a few others have appeared.

[DracoM]

Can I - with Host hat pompously on - respectfully underline Finzi4ever's caveats about what is written?

[ardcarp]

Bit off topic (i.e. not cathedrals) but:

Arthur Hutchings, one-time Prof at Durham, used to interview candidates in a mirror, whilst shaving, with soap, brush, cut-throat razor et al. I'm not quite sure what was achieved by this exercise. I think he hoped female candidates might be more deterred than male.

The headmaster of a rather minor public school in Dorset (now happily defunct...the school that is, but for all I know the HM as well) used to interview prospective staff through trial by Dorset Knob. OK, not as bad as it sounds. The said object is a large, spherical, extremely crunchy biscuit. If you bit into it politely it would shatter into a thousand fragments. If you stuck it in your mouth in one go you were rendered speechless for some time. The outcome of the interview (apparently) depended on how you coped with the embarrassment.

[Vile Consort]

I suppose you all know George Guest's anecdote about Patrick Hadley on an interview panel for Cambridge choral scholars?

[ardcarp]

No but do tell us. (It isn't about wooden legs, is it?)