CE Chapel of Merton College, Oxford [R] Wed, 20th April 2022

[jonfan]

Although I do have a preference for relatively undemonstrative direction during services, we quickly found that when teenage girl choristers stood between us and the conductor standing beside cantoris, he disappeared! This has necessitated a central position.

I must admit I have to do the same thing for the same reasons when directing our choir. If there's movement from the nave to the altar then I decamp to the side, stand and all! There's a real danger of being knocked to the floor in such circumstances if you are passing the likes of Stephen Layton at Trinity with his expressive gestures, or at least being stabbed by the famous pencil!

[Keraulophone]

…stabbed by the famous pencil!

Ha! An exclusion zone ought to be in place there. One of the duties of the Choir Administrator is to ensure the supply of pencils. It would be wise of her to keep them less than sharp. Very much looking forward to seeing SL back in chapel this term, electrifying his astonishing choir as no one else can. (Having said that, ex-organ scholar Michael Waldron did an excellent job deputising last term.)

[jonfan]

Very much looking forward to seeing SL back in chapel this term, electrifying his astonishing choir as no one else can. (Having said that, ex-organ scholar Michael Waldron did an excellent job deputising last term.)

[subcontrabass]

the photo of Merton on the R3 CE webpage shows the DoM conducting centrally in the quire.

Possibly that is so that the organist can see the conductor. The organist is seated centrally at just above ground level, about 30 yards from the conductor.

[AuntyKezia]

Re the VW Te Deum, I see it's due to feature in the opening service of this year's 3 Choirs Festival at Hereford.

[jonfan]

Possibly that is so that the organist can see the conductor. The organist is seated centrally at just above ground level, about 30 yards from the conductor.

I should imagine that nowadays physically seeing the conductor, or through a mirror, has been replaced by tv monitors in places like Oxbridge colleges. Gone are the days when a police car appears as in the Hoffnung cartoon.

[Guest]

Ben Nicholas' dad, Michael, often conducted from the treble stall on Dec at Norwich.

[subcontrabass]

I should imagine that nowadays physically seeing the conductor, or through a mirror, has been replaced by tv monitors in places like Oxbridge colleges. Gone are the days when a police car appears as in the Hoffnung cartoon.

I was simply speculating. Looking more closely at some of the photos of the new organ, it appears to be equipped with two TV monitors.