Thursday, November 02, 2006


Oh, we had a lovely time! We were determined to give our soprano Susan a good send-off before she goes to the USA. The practice was brief - I had to leave to "go and get something I'd forgotten". Which gave everyone a chance to sit and drink tea while I fetched a special surprise for Susan - a Tenor-gram clad in Rangers football strip. She was serenaded in style. The tune was "O sole mio". And Andrew's top notes were superb.

"Beneath thy window, as the sun is fading,
Among the happy flowers my watch I’m keeping,
While gentle breezes to thy presence creeping,
Thy dreamy heart with songs are serenading.

Just one soprano! Give her to me!
How could you send her across the sea?
No more will she implore,
O Karen, tell us, when is this for?

The Ibrox pitches will fade without her,
The players languish; they’re sad about her,
Those hearty terraces will roar less brightly,
The fans will know she’s gone across the sea!

Just one soprano! [etc]

Our Thursday evenings will miss her laughter,
We’ll miss her banter – the chatter after;
She knows she’ll keep her place in our affection –
We’re all just waiting for her trips back home.

“Oh, that was lovely!” She is so young,
Yet there’s a list of the things she wants sung …
Alas, no time for more –
Another chapter has just begun!"


Music image from interviu.it


Sunday, October 29, 2006

Sunday 29th October

The organ music played over the past two weeks has all had personal significance - it is music I remember my father playing. He has been a church organist all his adult life, though he less frequently graced the organ stool once he was ordained as a part-time minister. When he retired, he resumed organ playing, only giving up a few weeks ago when he became too frail to clamber onto the organ stool. Since then, he has had another two mini-strokes and is currently in hospital down in Norfolk. My music has been a quiet tribute to all his years of playing.

  • Opening voluntary: Canon in D, by Pachelbel
  • Offering voluntary: Andantino in E, by Cesar Franck
  • Outgoing voluntary: Tuba tune by C. S. Lang

Sunday 22nd October

  • Opening voluntaries: O Mensch, bewein, and, Jesu, joy of man's desiring; J S Bach
  • Offering voluntary: Scots air
  • Outgoing voluntary: March on a theme by Handel; Guilmant

Farewell!

Susan Wernham, a popular member of Killermont Choir, is shortly leaving us to go to America with her husband. This was Susan's final service, and our minister, Alan Hamilton, paid tribute to Susan's long years of service and cheery disposition. The Choir and I will be sorry to see her go, too, but will mark her departure with a farewell supper next week. Au revoir, Susan!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006


Sunday 15th October

Organ music played:-

Before the service - Prelude in B minor by Cesar Franck; Elevation by Guilmant; Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.
During the offering - Lascia ch'io pianga, by Handel
Outgoing - You raise me up, by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham

Please pray for:-

All church organisations; also our neighbouring churches as they plan the forthcoming union.

Image from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, library website - acknowledged with thanks.

Sunday, October 08, 2006


Killermont Fun Day (Saturday 7th October 2006)

The Choir's input was to man the bookstall. We raised in excess of £127. Very many thanks to all the generous choir members who gave their time to make this such a success. And just as many thanks to our customers, too!

A Personal First (Sunday 8th October 2006)

The band played today, so I had the chance to participate in a different way. It's a strange feeling, worshipping in the body of the Kirk rather than seated at the organ.

Today, however, was special. This was the first Boys' Brigade Parade at which all three of our sons participated.

To reiterate what was said in today's service, please pray for all church organisations - especially the Boys' Brigade, which has such an important role to play in helping our sons grow up in the Christian faith.

Pray, too, for all those involved in leading worship at Killermont.

Sunday, October 01, 2006


This evening, we had a service of Remembering and Healing. It was well-attended and very much appreciated by all present.

This is the music I played:-


  • Evening hymn, by Purcell
  • Che faro senza Euridice, by Gluck
  • Ashokan farewell, by Jay Ungar (the music to the series Civil War. You can visit American Jay Ungar's website here.)
  • Berceuse (Cradle Song) by Benjamin Godard

Image - I'm happy to acknowledge use of this picture, which came from http://www.fairview-killin.co.uk/

Sunday, September 17, 2006


Choir contributions 17th September to 5 November 2006:-



17 September (Harvest)
Introit 233 v.1- Come, you thankful people, come
Anthem CAB 71 p.366 - Praise, O praise ; Martin How
Recessional 804 - You shall go out with joy

24 September - The Band will accompany worship. (Your organist will be in Norfolk accompanying her nephew's christening!)

1 October
Introit 576 v.1 - Jesus before me
Anthem 575 - Over my head
Recessional Celtic Anthem, "The peace of Christ be with you" ; Geoff Nobes

8 October - The Band will accompany worship


15 October (start of October holiday week)
Introit 105 v.1 - Glory to God
Anthem 180 - Give thanks with a grateful heart
Recessional 176 - Let’s sing unto the Lord

22 October (end of October week - Communion)
Introit SGP72 v2 - Living Lord
Anthem CAB32 p155 - Holy, Holy, holy ; Tchaikovsky
Recessional SGP2 - A new commandment

29 October
Introit 805 - Your will be done on earth, O Lord
Anthem Celtic Anthem -Alone with none but you ; Andrew Wright
Recessional CAB27 p141 - God be in my head ; Rutter

5 November
Introit CG42 - God to enfold you
Anthem - The armed man. Benedictus ; Jenkins
Recessional CG189 v.3 - Be still, for the power of the Lord


All newcomers are welcome to join us - Choir Practice is at 7.30 pm on Thursday evenings at Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden. (Go on - you know you've been meaning to give it a go!)

And we make a mean cup of tea/coffee, too!

image from uncc.edu - with many thanks!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006



Choir practices begin again on Thursday 24th August!

Killermont Parish Church Choir warmly welcomes newcomers - we meet at 7.30 pm, and on our first practice of the session, we'll be rewarding ourselves with an extra long tea-break so we can catch up on each other's news.

We look forward to meeting again, and pray earnestly that others will feel inspired to join us this session.

Sunday 27th August is Rededication Sunday. Here's the choir music:-

Introit - Hymn 507 verse1, Jesus, I come
Anthem - Church Anthem Book 37, Jesu, joy of man's desiring ; J S Bach
Recessional - Hymn 681 verse 1, Send out the gospel

Sunday 3rd September

Introit - Hymn 757, Come all you people
Anthem - Hymn 802, We are here to praise (special two-part setting)
Recessional - Hymn 573, Saranam (I surrender)

image of August church flowers from southforestflowers.com - an American florist.