Thursday 4 September 2008

New term

Well, what a summer! I must say, after the monsoon that has been August it has been a blessed relief to climb into September, laden as it is with fruit both real and metaphorical. A new choir term begins this weekend, and I have been in training for the vocal demands to come. (In fact - tell it not in Gath - I have been trying desperately to recover vocal abilities mothballed over the so-called summer. I have been a very bad teacher, doing none of the daily exercises I demand of my pupils!) However, on Sunday we commune with Palestrina - pleasant enough, if one likes that sort of thing - endure a little Mozart and then return to (English) normality with Stanford and - guess what? - Howell's Gloucester Service. Serendipity! Anyway, I for one am looking forward to the start of term; I have read the posts here on the blogosphere of many who regard it as the start of several more months of untrammelled misery. They are mostly schoolteachers, poor souls. (I have also read from some - parents, mostly - who regard it as a blessed relief from the company of their offspring!) But no - I shall iron my surplice and iron-out the few remaining wrinkles in the vocal-chord department and resume my duties on Sunday with renewed enthusiasm. Yes, even though the DoM is back in charge. (You may recall the so-called gentleman was on sabbatical last term.) Why? I hear you ask. Has Can Bass gone mad? Is he 'soft' in the head? Oh no, dear reader, no. Not soft in the head - but in the heart. For I have seen the wisdom that is the servers rota for this coming Sunday. And guess who's crucifer!

12 comments:

Deeoshaythree said...

Ho ho!

Perhaps it was my Catholic upbringing, but I love Palestrina...

Lucy Fishwife said...

I also love Palestrina although not raised a Catholic (in fact quite the opposite - big glum Swiss Calvinism all the way). Just had a flashback to school hymn-books reading your blog. I remember how hilarious we all found the fact that Martin Shaw was a prolific writer of hymns, a career he managed to combine seamlessly with his acting work in "The Professionals". And one of my favourite hymns has the wonderful Ton-Y-Botel (Tony Bottle as we knew it) as its tune. Did i spell that right?

The Poet Laura-eate said...

Ah yes, I do believe they have a protestant version of the Palestrina where I grew up in nor'ern ireland. It sings when Philomena Begley is unavailable apparently

:-)

Glad you are enjoying Autumn Can Bass. I shan't be able to relax until the students are back but I make it a bit of a rule never to talk about work (an Oxford College) as it can be pretty political.

Deeoshaythree said...

Poet Laura, I didn't realise you were from Norn Iron! I am a Dubliner myself.

Lavinia said...

Sending you all best wishes for a successful and enjoyable new season back at the helm (as it were) of your choristical duties.
p.s. I hope 'choristical' is a real word?

Eddie 2-Sox said...

First of all, Poet Laura, it's not autumn until 20 September. Until then you WILL enjoy the summer weather.

And Can Bass, how slack are you? You've not indulged in any oral gymnastics over the holidays? Shame.

Kevin Musgrove said...

Hi, I'm inviting you to join in with us in nominating twelve films you'd like the world to know about.

My list's here.

Have fun!

Gadjo Dilo said...

Being a "crucifer" sounded horrendous until I looked it up!

Gadjo Dilo said...

p.s. And we're eagerly awaiting your list of films, and expecting The Beast with Five Fingers, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Albert Schweitzer Story of course.

Can Bass 1 said...

Oh dear. I'm afraid I seldom venture as far as the cinematograph these days.

Gadjo Dilo said...

Oops, I seemed to have got the impression that you are an organist rather than a choirmeister, how unforgivable of me! (Though two of the films I suggested still sort of apply). If you prefer, you could probably present your 12 favourite choirs/oratorios/ways-of-getting-your-own-back-at-organists).

Kevin Musgrove said...

and if you want to provide a list of favourite stories ruined by film-makers, that should be interesting, too!