October 2008

Notes and News (Soundboard October 2008)

Organists on the Move

Derek Verso has moved from Bray to St Paul's, Glenageary and Raymond Russell has become organist in Monkstown Parish Church. New organ scholars are John Mountford in Christ Church Cathedral, Shiloh Roby (from Virginia, USA) in St Patrick's Cathedral and Niall Carroll in St Mary's Pro-Cathedral.

Where's that Church?

The Web site for the United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough now contains individual pages for each parish or union of parishes giving details of the churches, service times and names of clergy. Each page links to a map showing the location of the churches. This is achieved using Google Maps – so you can also get driving directions.

http://dublin.anglican.org/parishes/locations.php

Faure's Requiem

Come and Sing the Fauré Requiem at St Bartholomew's Church, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 on Saturday 8 November, 2.30 pm. Performance

5.30 pm. Directed by Peter Barley. €12. RSCM Members €10. Please book in advance. (01) 671 2426 pparshall@rscm.com. Bring your own score. All welcome.

Christmas Present Suggestions:

Companion to Church Hymnal, Darling & Davison (The Columba Press). An essential reference book for all musicians and clergy. Available from the Resource Centre, Holy Trinity Church, Rathmines at the special price of €43 until 31 January on presentation of this issue of SOUNDBOARD.

Singing Psalms, Cadden & Thompson (The Columba Press). In bookstores from 22 November. €12.99/£9.99 (10% reduction for ordering on line.)

St Patrick's Cathedral Organ Recitals

These commenced on Wednesday 27 August. The two recitals left in the series are on Wednesday 22 October, and Wednesday 5 November at 6.30 p.m. Further details on ‘News & Events’ on the cathedral website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie

Time to take a second look at YouTube

These days everyone seems to be publishing videos on the web site www.YouTube.com and that includes church musicians. It's well worth looking at the many videos that are now available. Try searching on the site using some of the following terms: 'pipe organ', 'gospel music', 'choir training' or even the name your favourite hymn or voluntary.

Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne & Ros, Church Music Committee

The committee is currently establishing an Organists' Training Scheme for the United Dioceses. It is largely modelled upon the excellent scheme that is long-established in Dublin. Thanks are due to Malcolm Wisener (St Fin Barre's Cathedral), who is a member of the committee, for promoting this initiative.

The committee has responsibility for grants from the Diocesan Organ Repair Fund. Organ restoration and building has been an important matter in the United Diocese in recent times. There is a very important €0.5million organ project at Templebreedy; The Collegiate Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Youghal has had an 18th/ 19th century instrument built into the north bay of the crossing; this instrument was removed and restored by Neilands of Wexford; Midleton, Glanmire, Castletownroche and Ross Cathedral have also had successful restorations in very recent times by Neilands of Wexford and the fund has been able to assist with these works. Cloyne Cathedral and Shandon will be considering organ restoration projects in the near future.

Church music plays an important part of the life of this diocese and there are a number of energetic choirs here. Contact: Ian Sexton, The Clerks Choral, The Collegiate Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Youghal

Committee News

The next Living Worship Music and Liturgy course will take place in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin 14, on four Saturday mornings starting on 17 January. Watch the website for further information.

Archibishop of Dublin's Certificate in Church Music

June 2008 Exam Results:

Year 1: Philip Good (Castleknock) (Distinction); Roger Clarke (Clane) (Honours); Margaret Leonard (Kilmainham) (Hons); Ronan Whittern (Athlone) (Hons).

Year 2: Helen O'Toole (Kiltiernan) (Distinction); Valerie Twomey (Lucan) (Distinction); Ruth Clinton (Howth) (Hons); Paul Mullen (Mount Merrion) (Hons); Kate O'Neill (Howth) (Pass); Heather Taylor (Lucan) (Pass).

Seven students started in Year 1 in September 2008 bringing to fourteen the number on the course, the highest ever.

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