RSCM Waikato Pentecost Sunday
Choral Evensong. Sunday 8th June
St Paul’s Co-operating Church, Putaruru
Nearly 60 years ago I was appointed organist and choirmaster at St Paul’s Church, Putaruru, when the choir sang Evensong every Sunday, so returning there on Pentecost Sunday to sing with the RSCM Waikato choir brought back many happy memories.
The choir consisted of choristers from St Peter’s Cathedral Hamilton, the Venite Choir Cambridge, All Saints Church Matamata, and St John’s Church Otumoetai, Tauranga. It was a first experience for some choristers to participate in Choral Evensong
The service was led by Ven Andrew Evans, Chaplain RSCM Waikato, and the Minister of St Paul’s Church, Rev Grahame Craggs, who was Cantor, and presented the Homily.
Hilda Bester presented organ music and accompaniment on the Baldwin 2 manual digital organ. Koli Jayatunge was our Choir Director, who led us through a 90 mins rehearsal, and it was a delight to sing under his leadership.
The music was a very wide selection chosen for the Day of Pentecost. The organ Prelude: Canon in D, J. Pachelbel, led into the Introit: Confitemini Domino (Taze), which was sung in procession by the choir.
The Responses, composed by K. Rose were a joy to sing, with varied harmonies in each Response.
Psalm 95, with the very appropriate opening verse – ‘O come let us sing unto the Lord’ was sung with clear direction by the Director.
Stanford’s Canticles -Magnificat and Nunc Dimmitis b flat were sung with great enthusiasm, with the Magnificat conducted at an extremely fast tempo.
The Anthem, If ye love me, Tallis, presented a challenge for the choir with the theme interwoven between the sections of the choir after the opening 4 bars and concluding with 3 chordal bars. However, it conveyed the theme of the Pentecost very well.
The well-attended congregation enjoyed singing 3 hymns with the choir: O for a thousand tonques to sing Wesley; Come down O love divine R.V. Williams: and Round me falls the night S. Seele Brautigam.
After the final blessing the choir sang the Amen section of Brahms Geistiches Lied (‘Spiritual Song’.)
The service concluded with the organ Postlude Moto Ostinato, C. Tambling.
During refreshments after the service Kath Barnsley, a member of St Peter’s Cathedral choir expressed appreciation and thanks to all who had led and participated in the service, with particular thanks for those who organised such sumptuous refreshments.
Footnote: Personally, I enjoyed this presentation of Choral Evensong, which in its liturgy goes back many centuries, but still evokes a great sense of Worship, Praise and Tranquillity.
David Brookes ARSCM
Chair: RSCM Waikato
Organist and choirmaster, All Saints Church Matamata.