Church Music
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At Dalmahoy 2017. The hood is for the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Bristol.
Background
I grew up as a chorister in Exeter Cathedral, learned the organ there with Paul Morgan, and subsequently accompanied occasional services on the Cathedral organ.
After my formal musical education at the Royal School of Church Music and the University of Bristol, I held a number of initial posts as Organist and Choirmaster in my home city of Exeter.
Since leaving Exeter in 1995, I have held four main posts as Director of Music:
While in Oslo, I was in constant demand for deputising and concert work in the Catholic cathedral and other large city churches.
All of these parishes, in different ways, have given me opportunities to develop my liturgical and musical skills.
Service playing
I have many years’ experience of service playing, mostly in the Catholic tradition in both England and Norway.
Modern liturgy
I have a good practical understanding of the musical requirements of post-conciliar liturgy, having worked with the Novus Ordo liturgy for most of my life, and have studied the documents of the Second Vatican Council dealing with music and liturgy.
During my time in Norway, I also worked with the liturgy and musical repertoire of the Church of Norway, giving me a practical insight into modern Lutheran liturgical practice.
Traditional liturgy
I also have a solid grounding in traditional liturgy and music. I have studied the Traditional Latin Mass and the Divine Office (pre-1955 liturgy) and their musical requirements, as well as Gregorian chant in both Latin and English.
Growing up in the Church of England with the services and psalter of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, I am also familiar with the English cathedral choral repertoire and Anglican chanting.
Choir training and conducting
I took over at St. Hallvard’s Friary in Oslo two years after the death of the previous organist. Therefore I had to rebuild the parish music tradition almost from scratch after the long vacancy, building on the established repertoire left by my German-trained predecessor. This consisted of Gregorian chant, polyphony, and modern Catholic music in Norwegian. Very soon after my arrival in the parish, I filled the choir gallery with new singers to add to the faithful few who had kept going during the vacancy, and welded them into a strong, enthusiastic, loyal team.
I also encouraged other instrumentalists to contribute to the parish Mass, including at times a professional marimba player, whom I accompanied on the organ.
Liturgical planning
As Director of Music, I have played a large part in planning parish music programmes, suggesting hymns and other music, based on a lifetime’s ecumenical experience and study.
I grew up as a chorister in Exeter Cathedral, learned the organ there with Paul Morgan, and subsequently accompanied occasional services on the Cathedral organ.
After my formal musical education at the Royal School of Church Music and the University of Bristol, I held a number of initial posts as Organist and Choirmaster in my home city of Exeter.
Since leaving Exeter in 1995, I have held four main posts as Director of Music:
- Askvoll District Council, Norway (Lutheran), with responsibility for music in the three parishes of Askvoll, Holmedal, and Vilnes, and their associated chapels.
- St. Hallvard’s Friary, Oslo, Norway (Franciscan Catholic)
- St. Mary's, Rotherhithe, London (Church of England)
- St. Mary's Church, Dalmahoy, Edinburgh (Scottish Episcopal Church)
While in Oslo, I was in constant demand for deputising and concert work in the Catholic cathedral and other large city churches.
All of these parishes, in different ways, have given me opportunities to develop my liturgical and musical skills.
Service playing
I have many years’ experience of service playing, mostly in the Catholic tradition in both England and Norway.
Modern liturgy
I have a good practical understanding of the musical requirements of post-conciliar liturgy, having worked with the Novus Ordo liturgy for most of my life, and have studied the documents of the Second Vatican Council dealing with music and liturgy.
During my time in Norway, I also worked with the liturgy and musical repertoire of the Church of Norway, giving me a practical insight into modern Lutheran liturgical practice.
Traditional liturgy
I also have a solid grounding in traditional liturgy and music. I have studied the Traditional Latin Mass and the Divine Office (pre-1955 liturgy) and their musical requirements, as well as Gregorian chant in both Latin and English.
Growing up in the Church of England with the services and psalter of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, I am also familiar with the English cathedral choral repertoire and Anglican chanting.
Choir training and conducting
I took over at St. Hallvard’s Friary in Oslo two years after the death of the previous organist. Therefore I had to rebuild the parish music tradition almost from scratch after the long vacancy, building on the established repertoire left by my German-trained predecessor. This consisted of Gregorian chant, polyphony, and modern Catholic music in Norwegian. Very soon after my arrival in the parish, I filled the choir gallery with new singers to add to the faithful few who had kept going during the vacancy, and welded them into a strong, enthusiastic, loyal team.
I also encouraged other instrumentalists to contribute to the parish Mass, including at times a professional marimba player, whom I accompanied on the organ.
Liturgical planning
As Director of Music, I have played a large part in planning parish music programmes, suggesting hymns and other music, based on a lifetime’s ecumenical experience and study.