We started an hour's rehearsal of all the music for the whole of the services at 6.pm followed by an hour and a half long Maundy thursday service.
Tonight we had some of the usual hymns, the anthem was "An upper room" to the tune of "O Waly Waly" and led the congregation into the lady chapel to the Taize "Watch with me".
A slightly lighter and easier selection than we have had in some previous years, but still a lot of singing.
Oh and I forgot to mention "Ubi caritas the plain-song version which we sang during the foot-washing.
Tomorrow from 10 00 am there is first of all the stations of the cross followed by various other events until the choir sings an assortment of pieces from about 1.30 until 2.00 pm when the Solemn Liturgy begins.
On Saturday we have our usual big service with the Bishop singing the Exultat followed by baptisms and confirmations and the return of the light.
On Sunday morning those of us who have survived the 3 previous services will present the usual Easter Day service which for the choir will finish with "The Hallelujah Chorus" from Messiah.
There is then an Easter Egg hunt in the churchyard for the children. (By which time, those of us who value our lives will have fled) and tea or coffee for the brave/foolhardy few who remain.
I'm glad Easter only comes once a year.
There's a lot to do, isn't there?!? We do some of the same music, including ending with the Hallelujah chorus.
ReplyDeleteToday's music was well received and I think, rather well sung, so all good so far.
DeleteTwo down and two to go.
Enjoy it anyway and feel the reward of having played an important part in the experience of Easter for so many!
ReplyDeleteI do feel that Sue, the music is so very important at this time in the church year, and when we do it well it is really a lovely feeling.
DeleteExhaustion will set in soon, but on Monday the bank holiday will give the chance to recover.