'Til we cast our crowns before Thee

I did something today I haven't done in over 2 decades. I got up in the middle of the night to watch a royal wedding. Yes, I was curious about 'the dress', but more than that I wanted to experience the music of Westminster Abbey during the ceremony, knowing full well that the music is not considered a highlight to be replayed in its entirety later in the day. There were some glorious moments! The bride's entrance to "I Was Glad" by Sir C.H.H. Parry was wonderful. (I'm not sure that was entirely the context intended by the Psalmist but whatever...) The fanfares by the two groups of trumpeters were marvelous as well. If I'd had a say in the matter, I'd have heard more organ and not quite as much orchestra, but then one has to consider supporting the singing of about 1,900 people in a building with very live acoustics.

The couple's choice of hymns was very interesting. They were: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (Tune: Cwm Rhondda), Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Blaenwern) and lastly, And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time (Tune: Jerusalem). The first 2 tunes are Welsh and it made me wonder if this was a deliberate tribute to Wales (William's surname as Charles is the Prince of Wales). There are other reasons, of course, for choosing those 2 hymns. I understand that the second is a very popular choice for English weddings and with this particular tune - one that is not well known in North America. The third hymn always makes me think of the movie, Chariots of Fire; that's the first time I ever heard it.

The big question today seems to be, "What was your memorable moment during the wedding?" Well, the moment I'll remember occurred during the singing of Love Divine. The TV camera was on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they both sang the words, "...'Til we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love and praise." It was a poignant reminder to me that earthly kingdoms - past, present and future - will someday pass away and we will glorify only the King of Kings, and be "lost in wonder, love and praise".

On the other side of Easter

Now that Easter has come, but not quite gone, (we're still in the church season of Easter) I can focus on upcoming events. The next thing on the calendar is wrapping up the choir season at St. Andrew's. With Easter being so late this year, (I think nearly as late as it can possibly be) there are only 3 Sundays left before the Victoria Day weekend which is when we end choir for the summer. I generally feel like we're coasting downhill to the finish line and that's okay. There is a time and season to everything under the sun.

The second event on the horizon is a pair of concerts in southern Ontario in 3 weeks' time. While I'm down, I will also be able to spend precious time with my Mom and other family members, and attend the first ever national women's conference for the Presbyterian Church in Canada. All these are exciting things for me to do. Guess I'd better go practise!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
7:30 p.m.
St. John's United Church
13 Spring St., Flesherton, ON
Suggested Donation: $5-$10

Wednesday, May 18, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Church of the Nazarene
347 Fairview Drive, Brantford, ON
Suggested Donation: $5-$10

Holy Week

I can't pretend to speak for all church musicians, but I know I have a love/hate relationship with Holy Week. I love celebrating the high points and recognizing the sombre times. I love the music that goes with those all-important days of the church calendar. I hate the frantic feeling I get nearly every year thinking that the music can never possibly be ready in time. I hate feeling like each service is something to cross off my to-do list when it's finished so I can move on to the next one and get it over with too.

In the midst of all this busy-ness, I stopped at the grocery store Friday afternoon. After getting the few things I needed, I got back in the car to drive home. As I started the car, the radio came on exactly, and I do mean exactly, at the place in Sibelius's symphony where we get the hymn tune FINLANDIA. The first line of the hymn text popped into my mind - "Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side." Just what I needed to hear to slow me down and take a deep breath!