From Chelmsford to Worcester

[french frank]

A knowledgeable view is always welcome, anoncoward. Welcome. Keep reading. (Is that 'anon coward' or 'a noncoward'? - the MBers here can be a bit overbearing at times )

[ardcarp]

anoncoward (aren't we all...well most of us anyway)

All you say is true. But there are examples of truly exceptional and charismatic figures who do wonders with a choir against all the odds; and this isn't just musical talent. It needs the driving force tp recruit, motivate, raise funds, get clergy onside, etc, etc. It does happen, and one finds a lesser establishment punching above its weight. Conversely, one finds choirs that have everyting 'in place' (to use a horrible expression which punches well below its weight. No names, no packdrill.

[Alison]

I took my wording from the Worcester Cathedral website.

For whatever reason most of the blurb on PN's background seems to stress the singing aspect while his
organist credentials were pointed out early in the thread.

May I say I fully expect PN's Messiah next Saturday to be well worth hearing and to achieve a standard his future
colleagues in Worcester would admire.

[anoncoward]

anoncoward (aren't we all...well most of us anyway)

All you say is true. But there are examples of truly exceptional and charismatic figures who do wonders with a choir against all the odds; and this isn't just musical talent. It needs the driving force tp recruit, motivate, raise funds, get clergy onside, etc, etc. It does happen, and one finds a lesser establishment punching above its weight. Conversely, one finds choirs that have everyting 'in place' (to use a horrible expression which punches well below its weight. No names, no packdrill.

Indeed there are these examples ardcarp, and its great when that happens. Indeed some would argue that many of these qualities have been evident at Chelmsford over the last 10 years. I just felt I needed to provide some context to the discussion here, particularly in light of the clumsy "by general consent" comment by Alison. A) I've never heard this expressed by anyone so I'm not sure where this 'general consent' comes from and B) I can personally testify that standards when PN arrived were nowhere near as high as they are now, largely due (I understand) to the circumstances I referred to earlier.

I just wish people would check their facts. These are potentially hurtful and inaccurate comments on a public forum. If we must have this kind of comment, can't we aim for a more subtle and at least accurate approach??