Dear Singer
We are delighted that you are interested in joining our choral evensong workshop. If you have not sung choral evensong previously you are especially welcome. We look forward to introducing you to this central pillar of the English church music tradition. More details about the shape of the service are outlined below, so that you know what to expect
Details Date: 3rd June 2017 Venue: St Mary Magdalene, Taunton
Timetable for the day:
11.00-11.15 Arrival, welcome and distribution of music
11.15 Rehearse
1.00-2.00 Lunch break. The coffee shop in the church is available for light lunches; there are
many venues in the surrounding area, or you are welcome to bring your own
2.00-3.30 Rehearse
3.30-3.50 Tea break: light refreshment provided by In Ecclesia
4.00 Workshop participants sing choral evensong service in church. Congregational participation is open to all
4.45 Close and return of music
Music – which will be provided: click on the titles to listen (opens in new window)
Versicles and Responses: by William Smith
Magnificat: Collegium Regale: Herbert Howells
Nunc Dimittis: Charles Wood in B flat
Tu es Petrus: Palestrina
Charge to cover the cost of music and administration: £10.00 to be paid on booking, please.
Those in full-time education: free
To book a place, please download and complete the application form on the button below
and send it to the In Ecclesia Secretary, Bill McDermott at [email protected].uk
or use the Book Online button below.
Choral Evensong: the Service
The format of the service and much of the language is largely unchanged since its institution. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Henry VIII, designed the service based on previous rites and offices in the church. The service starts with a call to worship, followed by confession and absolution – all of which are said.
So-called Versicles and Responses follow, with the priest intoning a short prayerful sentence, and the choir responding generally in relatively elaborate choral style. There follows the setting of a psalm to an Anglican chant in four-part harmony, then the canticles: the Magnificat (Mary’s song of celebration on hearing of God’s plan for her part in the birth of Jesus) and Nunc Dimittis, taken from the Bible’s account of the words of old man Simeon, ready to depart this life after finally seeing the Messiah after many years of waiting.
The canticles have been set to music by many composers over the centuries and are widely regarded as a musical highlight of church music. Further Versicles and Responses and prayers by the priest follow. Then Cranmer inserts the immortal words In Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth the Anthem. The anthem is sung by the choir and at its best, touches the essence of whatever exists beyond our earthly life.
We hope that this outline gives you a flavour of what you can expect, and look forward to meeting you.
We are delighted that you are interested in joining our choral evensong workshop. If you have not sung choral evensong previously you are especially welcome. We look forward to introducing you to this central pillar of the English church music tradition. More details about the shape of the service are outlined below, so that you know what to expect
Details Date: 3rd June 2017 Venue: St Mary Magdalene, Taunton
Timetable for the day:
11.00-11.15 Arrival, welcome and distribution of music
11.15 Rehearse
1.00-2.00 Lunch break. The coffee shop in the church is available for light lunches; there are
many venues in the surrounding area, or you are welcome to bring your own
2.00-3.30 Rehearse
3.30-3.50 Tea break: light refreshment provided by In Ecclesia
4.00 Workshop participants sing choral evensong service in church. Congregational participation is open to all
4.45 Close and return of music
Music – which will be provided: click on the titles to listen (opens in new window)
Versicles and Responses: by William Smith
Magnificat: Collegium Regale: Herbert Howells
Nunc Dimittis: Charles Wood in B flat
Tu es Petrus: Palestrina
Charge to cover the cost of music and administration: £10.00 to be paid on booking, please.
Those in full-time education: free
To book a place, please download and complete the application form on the button below
and send it to the In Ecclesia Secretary, Bill McDermott at [email protected].uk
or use the Book Online button below.
Choral Evensong: the Service
The format of the service and much of the language is largely unchanged since its institution. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Henry VIII, designed the service based on previous rites and offices in the church. The service starts with a call to worship, followed by confession and absolution – all of which are said.
So-called Versicles and Responses follow, with the priest intoning a short prayerful sentence, and the choir responding generally in relatively elaborate choral style. There follows the setting of a psalm to an Anglican chant in four-part harmony, then the canticles: the Magnificat (Mary’s song of celebration on hearing of God’s plan for her part in the birth of Jesus) and Nunc Dimittis, taken from the Bible’s account of the words of old man Simeon, ready to depart this life after finally seeing the Messiah after many years of waiting.
The canticles have been set to music by many composers over the centuries and are widely regarded as a musical highlight of church music. Further Versicles and Responses and prayers by the priest follow. Then Cranmer inserts the immortal words In Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth the Anthem. The anthem is sung by the choir and at its best, touches the essence of whatever exists beyond our earthly life.
We hope that this outline gives you a flavour of what you can expect, and look forward to meeting you.