February 2010

'An Irish Church Musician Looks Back'

Maedhbh Abayawickrema reviews musician Harry Grindle’s memoirs ‘Reprise’

Harry Grindle’s absorbingly detailed autobiography ‘Reprise’ is both an edifying and enjoyable read.!The central part of the book deals with Grindle’s busy time in charge of the music in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, when Northern Ireland’s Troubles were at their most intense. The memoir also examines much of the rest of Grindle’s lengthy career of over 50 years as a church musician occupying the various roles of organist, conductor, composer, teacher and student.

Born in 1935 in Bangor, Co. Down, Grindle was the eldest of four. He was greatly influenced by many of his musical relatives, but chiefly by his mother, who was the organist at the private chapel on the Dufferin and Ava estate at Clandeboyne on the outskirts of Bangor for many years.! Among the many amusing anecdotes in the book, Grindle tells the tale of how his mother would choose hymns with great care from the Irish Church Hymnal only to be told at the last moment that the Dowager Marchioness was in residence and had selected her own hymns from Hymns Ancient and Modern for the afternoon service. These she chose with little regard for liturgical requirements or even the time of year. The Marchioness invariably included her favourite hymns such as ‘Summer Suns are Glowing’ even when it was snowing outdoors!

Grindle is perhaps best known for his role as Director of the Priory Singers, which he held for a period of 22 years from 1986 to 2008, the year in which he and his wife, Heather, also celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.! Harry Grindle was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours, a fitting recognition of his many years of service to the church, all of which are detailed in this warm and witty autobiography.

Reprise is available in the Church of Ireland Resource Centre in Rathmines, Dublin 6 and in the National Bible Society in Dawson St. 

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