Fragile! Pre-Christmas parent; handle with care!

My apologies, one and all. I have been remiss in posting details of seasonal music played at Killermont. Christmas preparations and festivities are catching up with me.

5th December : Bible Sunday. You heard Reger's "Wachet auf", then Flor Peeters' "Of the Father's love begotten" before the service. The outgoing voluntary was "Nun danket", by Johann Sebastian Bach.

12th December : a Baptism. Before the service, you heard "Angels guard thee", by Godard, then a "Christmas prelude on Divinum mysterium", by Watkinson.

During the offering, I played "Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding", by Archer. The outgoing voluntary was the Overture to "Unto us a child is born", by Bach.

Which brings us to this weekend. On the morning of Sunday 19th December, I shall be playing Brahms' "Es ist ein Ros' ", op.122 no.8 - and if there's time, "Puer natus in Bethlehem", by Buxtehude.

The offering music is a special surprise for the children. They'll soon tell you what it is, when they hear it. The outgoing voluntary will be "Offertoire sur deux Noels", by Guilmant.

On Sunday evening, it is the Killermont Carol Service. Before the service, you'll hear "Christmas cradle song", by Alfred Hollins, and (if time), "It came upon the midnight clear", by Stephen Kemp.

During the offering, I shall play "Noel : offertoire on a subject by Berlioz", by Guilmant. The outgoing voluntary will be my all-time favourite "In dulci jubilo", by Bach. And the louder, the better! Stirring stuff.

Last Sunday, 28th November, was the first Sunday in Advent. Before the service, I played "Adam lay-ybounden", followed by Bach's rousing "Wachet auf".

During Communion, I played an organ prelude on "O come, o come Emmanuel", op.100 by Peeters. This was followed by Taladh Chrisada - The Christ-Child's lullaby, a tune from the Outer Isles.

The outgoing voluntary was the eighth short prelude, in B flat, by J S Bach.

This coming Sunday, 5th December, you will only need to bring your hymn-book. Some of the words, not in CH3, will be printed in the order of service and projected on The Big Screen.

The Choir has moved into the festive season, so expect appropriate choral music!

If you would like to know what the words were, for 'The Hillwalker's Benediction' last Sunday, then I'll copy them here:-

The heather soft beneath my tread,
The bothy where I rest my head;
If I my maker's touch would feel,
Scenes such as these my sorrows heal.
For Scotland's grandeur,
In sunshine or in rain,
Is a symphony in nature
To restore my soul again.
If I'm made to know such beauty,
If it's truly made for me,
Such a harmony of purpose
Must affirm God's deity.

Copyright Karen E McAulay, 2004.

While I rehearsed the choir this evening, a disaster was unfolding at home. Our youngest son had just gone to bed, when he came back downstairs in a complete panic. He told our babysitter that he had just swallowed a small metal ball from a construction game. What induced him to do something so stupid, when he was meant to be going to sleep, I can't imagine! The babysitter dialled 999, and apparently we had the ambulance with sirens blaring, lights flashing, paramedics with an oxygen tank - except that he was actually okay. He wasn't choking - he had literally swallowed it.

I went to Yorkhill with him, where they waved a metal-detector over his tummy and agreed that yes, something was in there, but it would pass through with no further bother. He thought it was all a very exciting adventure. We have to go back for another metal-detector scan in a fortnight – at 10 am on Thursday 9th December, just for a check-up.

Earlier in the afternoon, the poor wee soul got a bump on his head when he tripped over on the way home from school. You could say it hasn’t been his day!

And at 00.58, I am shattered. Good night!

21 November 2004

The organ music before the service was Bach's Air on a G string, followed by Ashokan Farewell, by Jay Ungar.

Our visiting clarsach player, Karen Marshalsay, played during the offering.

The outgoing organ voluntary was England's Glory, by Nigel Ogden.

Forthcoming Choir music (Advent and Christmas)

It might be of interest to you to know what the Choir will be singing for the next few weeks:-

5 December

Introit CFC2 (orange) 27 p.120 O come O come Emmanuel
Anthem CAB 48 p.231 Mary’s Magnificat ; Carter
Recessional CFC2 (orange) 3 p.10 Adam lay y-bounden ; Ord

6.30 PM CHOIR GOES TO BUCHANAN HOUSE

12 December

Introit Archer p.34 v 1 The Linden tree carol ; Archer
Anthem Archer p.14 In dulci jubilo ; Archer
Recessional CFC2 (orange) 35 p.162 Bethlehem, there (v.3) ; arr. Willcocks

19 Dec am

Introit Archer p.18 verse 2 Flocks were sleeping ; Archer
Anthem Archer p.29 Rise up, shepherds ; Archer
Recessional CFC2 (orange) 6 p.16 Nativity carol : Born in a stable so fair ; Rutter

19 Dec pm LESSONS AND CAROLS

Introit CFC3 (blue) 2, p.15 A babe is born in Bethlehem (vv 1-2)
Lighting of Advent Candle & Call to Worship
Praise CH3 165 O come, o come, Emmanuel

1st Lesson Isaiah 40, vs.3-5
Choir Carol CFC3 (blue) 19, p.74 Jesus Child (vv 1,2,4,5) ; Rutter
Prayer
Praise CH3 193 Once in royal David’s city

2nd Lesson Mark 1, vs.1-7
Choir Carol CFC3 (blue) 20, p.86 He smiles within his cradle ; arr.
Willcocks
Praise CH3 176 Still the night

3rd Lesson Luke 1, vs.26-38
Choir Carol Archer, p.11 I saw three ships – with children
Prayers
Praise CH3 190 Christians, awake

4th Lesson Luke 2, vs.1-7
Choir Carol See the baby in a manger ; McAulay
Offering
Offering Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

5th Lesson Luke 2, vs.8-20
Choir Carol CFC3 (blue) 29 p.123 King Jesus hath a garden, vv.1,3,5
arr. Rutter
Praise CH3 191 O come, all ye faithful
Benediction & 3-fold Amen

Choir sing “Glory to God”, from Handel’s Messiah (no.17, p.68)


24 Dec 11.30 PM Watchnight

25 Dec 11 am Family worship

26 Dec

Int CH3 203 v.4 Joyful, joyful, all you people
Anthem Archer p.22 Mary had a baby
Recessional Archer p.50 Of his love and mercy mild (vv.4-5)

2 Jan

Introit CH3 611 O God, our help in ages pas
Anthem CFC3 (blue) 7, p.31 Flemish carol ; arr. Rutter
Recessional CFC3 (blue) 9, p.40 v.5 Jesus, whom the Gentiles worshipped

Today, you heard - carefully chosen for Remembrance Sunday -

Pie Jesu, and Agnus Dei, from Faure's Requiem
An introduction to the last hymn - the tune for "God of the nations"
"Nimrod", from Elgar's Enigma Variations

The truth will out - the new "Gaelic-sounding" tune is actually called Govan Cross - because that's where it first saw daylight. I'm afraid it is no more Gaelic than your organist! However, if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, then the proof of the tune must be in the singing. And it did turn out to be singable!

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday. Alan has found a great new hymn to end the service, "God of the Nations" - the words are very apt. Finding a tune was challenging, but I'm pleased with the result. Hope you'll enjoy it!

Where did she get to?

Relax - the organist is back! After Church on Sunday, I nipped down to Norwich for a very quick visit, just to reassure myself that my Ageing Father really is recovered after his operation and ill-health earlier this Autumn. I'm happy to report that he does seem much better.

Yesterday was spent recovering (and trying to do a decent day's work) after the trip, so this is my first opportunity to post anything on Killermont Praise!

On Sunday, you heard:-
Prelude in blue, by Blinko
Sunday morning swing, by Mawby

- and as the outgoing voluntary, John played The trumpet shall sound, from Handel's Messiah. Wasn't it great?

This coming Sunday, hymns are taken from Common Ground, The Church Hymnary, and two hymns are in neither. All will be printed on the order of service and projected onto The Big Screen.

The Choir will be singing:-

Introit - Thou knowest, Lord (Purcell)
Anthem - Kyrie = Lord, have mercy, from The armed man (Karl Jenkins)
Recessional - God be in my head (Walford Davies)

And next week - just wait for this - the Choir is singing "The hillwalker's Benediction" - music by RSAMD Lecturer Eric Rice, words by "yours truly", clarsach played by eminent proponent of the art, Karen Marshalsay, and violin by Helen Dale. Be there!

What do you need to bring to Killermont tomorrow? Yourselves. Your youngsters. Because it's a Youth Service, on the theme of The light of God.

Everything will be on the order of service, and on The Big Screen. (Bring your CH3, Common Ground and Songs of God's People if you need them, but most folk will manage fine without.)

And the band played on. You'll hear the praise band, the choir, the organ, the piano - and John (our new Youth Worker), who turns out to be a virtuosic trumpeter to add to his youth working and vaulting skills. (Ask any member of the Boys' Brigade about the latter.)

The choir starts off with a rock/blues influence, then turns to an updated Negro spiritual, Ain't that good news?, during the offering. (Wouldn't they look great in kaftans? I keep telling them!)

The uniformed organisations will all be there, and hopefully a good helping of their mums and dads. The place will be packed. Don't miss it!

Today, the good folks of Killermont heard:-

"A joyous acclamation", by Lani Smith. Followed by "Gabriel's oboe" (from The Mission), by Ennio Morricone. And "I'll walk with God", from The Student Prince, by Nicholas Brodszky.

During the offering: Domine Deus, from Vivaldi's Gloria. After all, it can't be good for you to have a diet solely of film tunes!

After the service - well, I understand that certain boys in the Sunday School get quite excited when they see I'm using my "Film themes" book. (Maybe it's the picture of Batman on the front cover?)

They didn't recognise the Chariots of Fire theme, by Vangelis. But my son did.

(picture obtained from the University of Innsbruck Engineering Dept website!)

The theme was intentionally chosen, because Eric Liddell stood up for his faith despite other people's comments. And standing up for what we believe in seemed to be a predominant theme today.

Today being 31st October, many of us will have been asking ourselves what we think about guising and related matters. Doing a Google search on "Christian attitude to Halloween" is an interesting way of exploring the subject.

Tomorrow, Sunday 31st October, worshippers at Killermont Parish Church Bearsden will require - the CH3 Hymnbook, Junior Praise & Common Ground. (Bring a trolley - or alternatively, you can sing off The Big Screen. Then you won't need to bring any books at all!)

Advance notice - the Choir would warmly welcome new singers of either sex. Join us for Christmas at least! We have a great programme of music lined up - so, the more the merrier.
Yes, we know Christmas is a busy time. But, as the old saying goes, Jesus is the reason for the season. Put Him right at the heart of your celebrations as you come to sing about the glory of His advent.

Choir practice is on Thursday nights from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. If you can't make it bang on time, we won't hold it against you - and we make a great cup of tea at 8 pm. Do join us!

• Today you heard:
  
  Amazing Grace, in an organ arrangement by Lynn L. Peterson
  Petites Litanies de Jesus, by Gabriel Grovlez
  Voi che sapete, from Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
  Procession, by Herbert Sumsion
  
  You also heard the Choir sing The Lord is my shepherd, in the arrangement by Goodall - the theme tune for The Vicar of Dibley. By special request for Roy Weston!
  
  Roy was talking about key moments in his life as a Christian. Such as :-
• The Scottish Schoolboys' Club

• The births of his daughters
  
• "Footsteps in the sand"
• Roy's dog lying quietly whilst Roy read the Bible

What would come to mind if you were recalling your own Significant Moments?

Today, you heard me play:-

Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J S Bach)
Fanfare for 2 organs (Soler)
Scherzo for a white rabbit (Nigel Ogden)
Toccata and fugue in D minor (J S Bach again)



Since Fergus MacDonald was our preacher today, you might be interested in visiting the website of the Scottish Bible Society

For Sunday 17th October, you will just need to bring your hymnbook.

Choir contributions:-

Introit - The Lord reigns (and this one will certainly wake you up!)
Anthem - Babylon's fall ; by Beaumont (back to the early 19th century)


(Image of Babylon's destruction from truthnet.org; image of millstone from bibleexplained.com)

Recessional - We are marching in the light of God

ADVANCE CALL - We need cellists on Sunday 7th November for the All-Age service. The more the merrier. Please help! (If we have any double bassists in the congregation - you'd be even MORE warmly welcomed.)

Music today at Killermont, Glasgow:-
Before the service : Air for Holsworthy Church Bells, by S. S. Wesley
(This picture of Holsworthy Church Tower comes from the BBC web-page, Discovering Devon.)

During the offering : Gymnopedie no.1, by Erik Satie
Outgoing voluntary : Trumpet tune, by Charpentier

I just thought I'd post this picture as a reminder of a brilliant children's address - which attracted 100% attention from everyone present. You are the salt of the world - and you must shed light on the world - that was the message. With the proviso that nothing works without batteries. So - read your Bible if you want to stay charged up!

(Due acknowledgement to AlarmRemotes.co.uk for the image!)

You only need to bring the Common Ground hymnbook to Killermont tomorrow (10th October) - the rest of the hymns will be printed in the order of service.

The Choir will be singing:-
Introit - I was glad
Anthem - Sing, O daughter of Sion (by the wonderfully-named Mr Button)
Recessional - I come to you for shelter, Lord.

You will smile as you recognise the tune of "Ye banks and braes" - a guid Scots tune. Actually, the "Ye banks and braes" tune originates from an English melody, only slightly modified. Oh, horror! What a discovery! And the fact has been known by the select few for the past 150 years.

BB Enrolment - what a crowd!
The boys were there, the band was there - wasn't it great to have a "full house" for morning worship?

Trying to have an "upbeat" kind of atmosphere, I tried to make my organ contributions triumphal in mood.

Before the service, you heard "Judex", by Gounod. That was followed by "Bourree" (Praetorius), and then a couple of trumpet pieces - Trumpet Tune (Purcell) and Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke).

Once the Choir, Saxophones and percussion had performed the Recessional - O when the Saints (thanks, everyone!) - I played the same thing as an organ voluntary. To calm things down after that, you heard "Jupiter", by Gustav Holst. I love that piece!

We're not finished for today - don't forget the Band is playing at tonight's evening worship. I heard them practising some interesting songs, after the service this morning.

We were all reminded today, of just how lucky we are, with our computers and mobile phones and computer games. And Alan mentioned child poverty, and some startling statistics from Tear Fund, just before the end of the service. So I thought you might like to find out some more about Tear Fund.

Advance call!! The morning of November 7th is another Killermont All Age Service. I need cellists! If I know about you, I'll contact you. If you play cello or double bass, and think I might not know, please get in touch. Email Karenmca@april87.fsnet.co.uk Many thanks!

By popular request - advance warning! Tomorrow you'll just need CH3 for the last 2 hymns. You won't need to bring any other hymn books. The first two items are choruses, words to be provided. (Not forgetting The Big Screen, too!)

The Choir will commence with "Clap your hands".
Anthem (during the offering) "Walk with me".
Recessional, "O when the Saints". Sit back, clap if you wish - and listen to the Choir and instrumentalists giving it laldy. (Non-Scots will have to email me for a translation. Alternatively, visit Eejit's Glasgow Patter website, which gives all sorts of definitions!)

We shall be welcoming boys from the Anchor Boys, Junior Boys' Brigade and Company Section to this service, so it will be lively, without doubt. Watch out for marches, banners, and clean, smart, smiling boys! (Just how every parent likes to see them.)

The ramblings of a distracted organist.....

No-one saw my youngest son messing about before the service. Friends, I'm ashamed to say I threatened him with a quick drive to South Church if he didn't calm down. He calmed down.

Before the service, I played the Andante from Mozart's flute concerto, then Marche Romaine by Gounod. During the Offering, I played Ave Maria d'Arcadelt, by Franz Liszt. The outgoing voluntary was Coronation March, by Meyerbeer.

Not a good day for the organist, I'm afraid. I forgot to cancel the "pull out all the stops" registration after the last verse of the hymn before the sermon. So what happened? The gentle, meditative offering voluntary came out as a real belter. Sorry, everyone! Then I realised, too late, that I had decided to transpose the last hymn down a tone to make it easier for you all. The time lag was the time it took me to find the correctly transposed version in the hymn book.

Finally, you just try playing a loud, triumphant closing voluntary and taking a sticky chocolate biscuit off your sticky-fingered six-year old at the same time. He meant it as a peace-offering, but his timing was lousy! At least I kept going...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pause for thought ...

Don't forget to take a look at the Traidcraft website - if we all tried to use fair trading products wherever possible, what a difference it could make.

Food for thought - have you heard of Back to Church Sunday? It's an initiative by the Church of England. In Manchester, they're tempting people back to church with free-trade chocolate. Yumm! "The Church of England is launching a pilot scheme to attract people back to church - by offering a bar of fair trade chocolate to every worshipper." Read about it on the BBC news website!

Nebuchadnezzar - you can find out more about the subject of Alan's sermon, at ChristianAnswers.net. Or, for the kids, visit GardenOfPraise.com to see the story of the fiery furnace retold for children: it's called Three Brave Boys.

Sunday 19th October - and it was Harvest at Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden. (Click on the link to visit Harvest WebQuest). It was also the baptism of baby Mark.

Before the service, I played Chanson de matin (Elgar); To a to a wild rose (Macdowell - no Scottish connection!) and the ever-popular "September". Finally I played Tuba Tune (Lang) as the choir and minister came in.

During the offering, I looked at the pouring rain outside, as I played Summertime (Gershwin) - actually a lullaby to a baby, urging him to sleep. Prophetic words? Mark had screamed and yelled at the start of the service, but came back in his Dad's arms, blissfully asleep.

After the service, I played Nun danket, a voluntary based on "Now thank we all our God", by Karg Elert.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:-

• Fair trading - consider buying as much produce as you can through Traidcraft.
• Get involved in the Vote for Trade Justice campaign. Take part in a massive global ballot calling on world leaders to make trade fair.

Highlighting a forthcoming concert:

We were told this morning about the Soweto Gospel Choir's imminent visit to Glasgow. It's on Thursday 7th October at the Royal Concert Hall. (You can see the whole itinerary by clicking this link to the Soweto Gospel Choir website.)

Hard to see how the Killermont Choir could get to hear this fabulous group without foregoing their weekly practice, but hey! we could always give it a thought .....

Here's a quick summary of recent organ music at Killermont, Bearsden:

29 August 2004 : Pastoral dance on "Simple gifts", by A. Clarke; Prelude in blue, by Blinko; Soul song, by A. Fletcher. On the way out, the kids were treated to Jurassic Park, by Williams, then I played "Rejoice in the Lord", by Purcell - just to redress the balance!

5 September 2004: Agnus Dei, by Faure; Pavane, by Drayton; Solemn Procession, by Lloyd Webber - father of Andrew and Julian. Lascia ch'io pianga, by Handel (during the offering), and a Fanfare by Eldridge at the end of the service.

12th September 2004 (Communion Sunday) - 1st service: Finlandia, by Sibelius; Solemn Melody, by Walford Davies; Panis angelicus, by Franck. During Communion I played Barber's Adagio, and Nun danket (Bach, arranged by Rawsthorne) played you out.
2nd service: Jupiter, from the Planets, by Holst; during Communion you heard Franck's Andantino in E major and Prelude in B minor; at the end of the service I played Benedictus, by John Marsh.

Please remember my father in your prayers - he's in the Norwich BUPA hospital, having had a complex hernia operation. I played the Franck pieces because Franck is one of my francophile Dad's favourite composers.

And tomorrow is Harvest. Now, what shall I play ....?

What the Organist played this summer! (I'll give you a list, because I have been forgetting to update this website.)

25th July : Jesu, joy of man's desiring (Bach); Gabriel's oboe (Morricone); Priere a Notre Dame (Boellmann); Hornburg (Lord of the Rings).

1st Aug - my colleague, Hilary, played for you whilst I was busy being Godmother to my niece Jessica at her Christening down in Norwich.

8th Aug - Sursum corda (Ireland); One fine day (Puccini); Angel eyes (Matt Dennis); March from Aida (Verdi)

15th Aug - On the wings of a dove /Veni creator (John Barr); Pastoral dance on Simple Gifts (Andrew Clarke); Free the Spirit (Blinko); Chariots of Fire (Vangelis)

22nd Aug - Nimrod (Elgar); Now is the month of Maying (Morley); Alla marcia (Ireland)

Which brings us neatly to Thursday 26th August, the first choir practice of the session.
Anyone interested in joining Killermont Church Choir (Bearsden, Glasgow) has only to email me - or, if you're a member of the congregation, you'll find my phone-number in the church directory.

Shall I tell you what we'll be singing on Sunday? No, I'll wait until we've practised it first!

Oh dear, I'm sorry - I haven't been keeping up to date.  And what good is a blogspot that isn't up to date?!
 
On Sunday 27th June, I kept my promise and went traditional - A Bach Prelude and Fugue in A major and then Handel's "Silent worship" played you into church.  During the offering, I played Gluck's "Che faro" (What would I do without Euridice?); and the outgoing voluntary was the March on a theme by Handel, by French romantic composer Guilmant.  Not a film theme in sight.
 
And then we went on holiday, and my colleague Hilary deputised for me - many thanks, Hilary!
 
Now we're back again, having enjoyed the break but not really benefitted from any warmer weather.   Obviously Brittany wasn't far enough south!
 
Bill preached about "light" this morning.   Slightly at a loss as to what I could play that had any connection with light, I played Elgar's Carillon, then Handel's Minuet from Berenice, before the service.  I played Phyllis Tate's arrangement of "The lark in the clear air" during the offering (clear air - light - well, there's a vague link there!), then a Procession by Sumsion for the outgoing voluntary.

On Sunday 13th June, I was at a conference in Dublin. I did think of you all!

Last week, 20th June, I confess to playing to the gallery. With Sunday School Prizegiving, I wanted the music to be (as far as possible) recogniseable to the kids as well as the adults.

Did I succeed? Before the service I played "Trumpet tune" by Charpentier (quite often played at weddings), then the Jurassic Park theme by John Williams.

The offering was collected as I played a Pastoral dance on "Simple gifts", by Andrew Clarke - a recent acquisition.

You went out to the Raider's March, from Raiders of the Lost Ark, again by John Williams. And my son's non-church-going friend commented that he recognised the music, so I must have scored there.

This week - watch this space - I've promised to be more conventional, for those that didn't like the Raider's March!

6th June 2004 - this morning was Katie's baptism, an eagerly awaited event in Killermont. And wasn't she good?! Hannah was every bit the proud big sister, too.

Before the service, I played Magnificat, by Guilmant, then an Entree by Dubois for the Choir's entry. Talking of whom - didn't they sing "Lord, I want to be a Christian" beautifully? Well, I thought they did!

During the Offering, as a tribute to Katie, I played Gershwin's "Love walked in". I'd hazard a guess that was the first time Killermont's organ played that little number!

After the service, I thought it only appropriate to mark "D-Day" for the older members of the congregation who still have vivid memories of the event. Walton's "Spitfire" seemed to fit the bill.

My own little monsters managed not to show me up after the service - at least, not in my earshot and nothing was reported to me - so all three are permitted to go swimming this afternoon. And my Sunday headache is abating already....

Last week? Oh heavens, I can't remember what the outgoing voluntary was for 23rd May. How embarrassing! (Normally the choir can see me jotting down what I've played in a little blue notebook. I must have been in too much of a hurry to escape the organ stool and supervise Small Fry. I think it was a Soldiers' Chorus from a 19th century opera. Maybe it'll come back to me later ...)

I can tell you that before the service you heard "O for the wings of a dove" by Mendelssohn, "Serenata" by Sanderson, and "The strife is o'er", by Rawsthorne. The offering was the "All creatures great and small" theme by Pearson.

Today, 30th May 2004, is Pentecost. I played "Blue haze", by Rosalie Bonighton, then Verdi's "Anvil Chorus". That was buoyant enough to prepare everyone for the introit, "Dance with the Spirit" - with Helen on the violin, and Colin and Jamie playing cello. Another debut, certainly for Jamie. I haven't been at Killermont long enough to know if Colin has played for us before. And thanks to John for managing the mike for us, too!

The choir anthem, "Every time I feel the Spirit", went with a bang - I was proud of them.

To keep the theme going, I played "Free the Spirit" by Timothy Blinko during the communion. I love that piece! Must look out some more Blinko music.

And after the service, you heard the eighth of Bach's Eight Short Preludes and Fugues.

Saturday afternoon - time for the stress levels to start rising as I contemplate letting my sons loose on Killermont tomorrow. For a long time I endured constant headaches (no, I can't blame that on Killermont) - now they've abated, thankfully, but you can be sure that my head will be throbbing by 9.30 am tomorrow! No.2 son is away at a friend's house. No.1 son has been warned to keep an eye on no.3. No.3 has been told that he mustn't run, mustn't shout, mustn't barge into grown-ups, must watch where he's going at all times, apologise if he should accidentally bump into anyone - and ANY collisions will mean no swimming on Sunday afternoon. Call it a Victorian revival. Except they wouldn't have gone swimming on a Sunday. Ah, well.

16th May - before the service, you heard Solemn melody by Walford Davies. During the offering, it was Nessun dorma, by Puccini. You went out (believe it or not) to Jurassic Park, by John Williams. Never let it be said that I don't try to reach out to the younger members of the congregation.

Talking of whom ... my profound apologies to anyone that my youngest son barged into after worship last Sunday. He is told, repeatedly, not to run and shout when grown-ups are about. I am very sorry that two ladies found it necessary to comment on his appalling manners, which obviously reflect badly on me and on his upbringing. And I can only promise that I will continue to teach him better manners - as I do, though some must find it hard to believe. I'll warn his brothers to try to calm him down if he appears too over-excited. You will appreciate that until I have tidied up my music and closed the organ, I can't be there in the corridor to keep an eye on him.

9th May - Youth Service at Killermont. What with the band - the saxes and flutes and drums and guitars and so on - your poor organist began to feel decidedly - well, CONVENTIONAL!

What could I do to make it better? Well, I played some bluesy music before the service - Prelude in blue, by Blinko, and then The good news, by Simon Lesley. I thought the choir contributions ought to be up-beat too, so we played the "Vicar of Dibley" theme tune, The Lord is my shepherd (by Goodall). I'm not alone in having a great affection for the Vicar of Dibley - my heroine!

And a STAR is born. Our minister's middle boy made a triumphant debut in the choir recessional - Oh when the saints (in the McAulay arrangement) - as a new arrival in the saxophone section. Well done, Gavin.

The outgoing organ voluntary was Marche in F major by Lefebure-Wely. Not modern, not blues or rock or anything else - just good, triumphant organ music. And why not?

25th April - I played Cumbrae Cottage by Eric Rice (see my previous posting), before the service. During the offering I played an organ arrangement of "O Master let me walk with thee", by John Barr (from Church windows : a suite for organ).

The outgoing voluntary was the March from Aida, by Verdi.

2nd May - before the service you heard Marche Romaine, by Gounod, and Elevation, by Boellmann. Then I played "The dark island" as the choir came in.

The offering was John Williams' Schindler's list theme, and the outgoing voluntary was by popular juvenile request - the Star Wars theme, again by John Williams.

9th May - it hasn't even happened yet! Prepare yourselves to sing "Daniel was a man of prayer". We started it last week - but that was just the beginning. Tomorrow's service is a youth service, so here's hoping it all goes triumphantly well.

What was the organ music for 18th April? I started off playing Flowers of the Forest, followed by Roslin Castle. I found these pieces in an old flute manuscript from Dundee - but discovered the manuscript owner had copied them from another, earlier book of Scottish pieces. They date back to the 18th century.

During the offering, I played Libera me, from Faure's Requiem - a favourite movement from a favourite work.

The outgoing voluntary was Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J S Bach. Once I'd played a few notes for Hamish during his childrens' address, I felt I was somewhat committed to delivering the entire piece at the end of the service!

I must tell you about another piece of music I recently discovered. A colleague at RSAMD, Eric Rice, has written a beautiful Scottish piece entitled Cumbrae Cottage. He has graciously allowed me to make a choral setting of this piece, which I have just finished working on. Once the choir has had a chance to learn it, I am really looking forward to performing it with them. Eric thinks it's one of his most successful compositions. I hope he (and you) will like it just as much in its choral reincarnation, "A hillwalker's benediction".

Dear me, I really have slipped this time - I've omitted to post what I played for TWO previous weeks. Mea culpa!

On 28th March I played "Monmouth", by Wood before the service, and Promenade by Mussorgsky, after it. In the evening, when we had our very successful Lenten meditations on the sacrificial lamb, I played Coronach by Barratt, Arioso by Rawsthorne, and He was despised, from Handel's Messiah. My outgoing voluntary was O Haupt voll Blut, by Reger. The atmosphere of this service was exactly how I hoped it would be, and I am indebted to all those who took part to make it such a success. I don't wish to seem proud on my own account - I am not, and I don't take pride in my abilities at all, I can assure you - but I was humbly proud of everyone else's efforts and the way they worked together to such good result.

On 4 April, I played Judex, by Gounod and Minuet from Handel's Water music, before the service. I played Bohemian Rhapsody during the offering, and Rutter's Toccata in 7, as outgoing voluntary.

Today, 11 April, I played Organist's country garden by Andrew Wright, and Allein Gott in der Hoh, by Pachelbel. During the communion I played Wagner's Pilgrim's chorus, and Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Webber. After the service, I played the Alleluia from Mozart's Exultate - it seemed suitable for Easter.

I was taken to task by a member of the congregation for playing Pie Jesu, because it was considered inappropriate for a church using the reformed church liturgy. I have to say I disagree! Let's look at the words (which you didn't hear, obviously, because it was played in my own organ arrangement) -

Pie Jesu, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

This is an adaptation of the text in John 1 : 29 : Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Nothing wrong with that! The exact translation of the words in the Requiem is:

Merciful Jesus, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. O Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest.

Apart from the "grant them rest / eternal rest", we very often hear ministers say these words during a communion service.
My conscience has no difficulty whatsoever with playing an organ arrangement of these words during a Church of Scotland communion service. And I can only go by my own conscience!

Oh dear, I see that I forgot to post what I played last week. So, here goes:-

On 14th March, you heard Pachelbel's Canon before the service, Handel's Largo during the offering, and a Rondeau by Purcell on the way out.

Today, being Mothering Sunday, I scratched my head trying to think of something appropriate to play. But when I arrived at church this morning, I found everyone sweeping up broken glass after a nocturnal attack by vandals. So, before the service I played two Negro spirituals: Oh Lord, what a morning, and Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Then, determined to get mothers in somehow, I played Schubert's Ave Maria.

During the offering, I played part of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and because there was a meeting after the service, I just played a short outgoing voluntary - Courante, by Praetorius.

You won't forget to come to the special Lenten service at Killermont next Sunday evening, will you? 6.30 pm, Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden, Glasgow. See you there!

What was the organ music on 7 March?
Before the service : Elegy by Rawsthorne, and Dream Children nos. 1 & 2 by Elgar
During the offering : the Flower duet from Lakme, by Delibes
Outgoing voluntary - G minor short prelude & fugue, by J S Bach

Advance warning!

Special evening service on Sunday 28th March : a Lenten meditation, entitled The Sacrificial Lamb, led by choir and organ. This is designed as a gentle, thought-provoking service, which will have a good musical blend of traditional old favourites and a few more modern contributions. See you there!

Being Communion today, I went back to the more usual classical repertoire. Before the first service, I played Trumpet tune by Charpentier, and Andantino in G minor, by Cesar Franck. Giazotto's arrangement of the Albinoni Adagio was played during communion, and you went out to The arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by Handel.

Before the 2nd service, I played the Franck Andantino again. Elgar's Nimrod, and the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations, were played during communion, and the Queen of Sheba was back again at the end of the service.

A quick reminder to Choir members - we rehearse as usual on Thursday 4th and Thursday 11th March, but there will be no rehearsal on Thursday 18th March.

Out of curiosity - who knows the old hymn, "O happy band of pilgrims", from the Revised Church Hymnary. No point in my being kind and using this hymn in the evening service on March 28th unless enough folk remember and enjoy it!!

Is anyone out there reading this? Email me and let me know!!

Karen McA

Well, folks, Thinking Day was an upbeat, bouncy, very successful service, wasn't it? The band was great, as ever, and my special thanks to Jenny and Valerie for their extra flute contributions to the choir anthem and recessional. It seems to have gone down very well.

In my organ music this morning, I was unashamedly influenced by showbiz. I reckoned that if we had visitors who didn't often come to Killermont, then I'd make sure they recognised most of what I played. So - you heard:-

Before the service : the Schindler's List theme, then 'Colours of the wind' from Pocahontas (which I hope the Brownies and Guides recognised!), and finally 'Jupiter' from Holst's The Planets.

I played from Les miserables during the offering, and you went out to Camptown Gallop, by Judith Bailey.

The band will be leading worship next Sunday evening (29th February). And it's the Choir's 'turn' to lead worship at the evening service on 28th March. We've got some nice pieces lined up for you, and I shall plan the hymns in the next few days.

Choir members - I mentioned to a few of you that we won't be having a rehearsal on Thursday 18th March. We're well ahead in our rehearsals, so a night off shouldn't make any difference to our habitually stunning performances!

"What was that you played?"

Before the service, I played Handel's Lascia ch'io pianga, then the 2nd movement of a keyboard concerto by J S Bach.

The offering was accompanied by The Circle of Life, from the opening of the Lion King movie - music by Elton John. I naively imagined that this was a cute and quite suitable piece to play before a baptism, and that our youngsters would appreciate hearing a piece of music that they recognised. You have no idea how deeply some people analyse the deeper meaning and symbolism of movies, however. Take a look at this website, to see what I mean! I shouldn't have bothered to look it up!

You went out to Prelude and Fugue in B flat, from the Six short preludes by J S Bach.

"What was that you played?"

Valse lente by Oskar Merikanto, then Arioso by J S Bach. The offering was accompanied by Prelude in blue by Timothy Blinko, and you went out to the Star Wars theme by John Williams.

Advertised in the Church Notices this morning - a worship workshop by Chris Bowater from 9.30 am to 1 pm on Saturday 28th February at Bearsden Baptist Church.

"What was that you played?"
You don't go to church to listen to the organ, so I'm not going to give you advance warning of what I'll be playing!

However, if you wondered what I played this morning - Mozart's Voi che sapete , then Cantilene by William Reed preceded the service. Ashokan farewell by Ungar accompanied the offering. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV.565 played you out.

From which you might correctly deduce that I've bought several new books of organ music recently, to widen my repertoire. Meanwhile, the Choir is always adding to its repertoire so you can expect some pleasant surprises in the next few months.

Happy New Year, and many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make our Lessons and Carols a great success! We'd love to see you again - any time!

Here is the list of music that the choir will be singing from now until 20th June. Never say we're not organised!



11/1 Int CH3 202 v.1 How brightly beams the morning star
Ant SGP 87 (complete) Oh the life of the world
Rec CH3 207 v.4 Christ, once Thyself a boy

18/1 Int CH3 447 v.1 Lord and Master, who has called us
Ant CAB 73 p.378 Pray that Jerusalem ; Stanford
Rec CH3 451 v.1 Almighty Father of all things that be

25/1 Ordination of Elders
Int Take my hands ; arr. McAulay
Ant CAB 1 A Gaelic blessing ; Rutter
Rec CAB 27 p.141 God be in my head ; Rutter

1 /2 Int CG 108 v.1 Sing of the Lord’s goodness
Ant CAB 70 p.359 Panis angelicus ; Saint-Saens
Rec CG 126 v.2 The Lord is loving … The eyes of all creation

8/2 Pulpit exchange
Int Holy, holy, holy ; Schubert
Ant CG 51 verses 1,2,4 How can I keep from singing?
Rec SGP 101 The God of heaven is present on earth

15/2 Int CG 4 v.1 Let us build a house where love can dwell
Ant CAB 41 p.206 Lead me, Lord ; S. S. Wesley
Rec CG 4 v.5 Let us build a house where all are named

22/2 Thinking Day
Int CG v.1 I come with joy
Ant CG 142 v.1,3,5 When in our music ** with flutes
Rec CG 18 Come all you people ** bass guitar, flutes

29/2 Card communion
Int CH3 574 Bread of the world
Ant Benedictus (from The armed man) ; Karl Jenkins
No Recessional today

7/3 Int CG 37 v.3 When the rooster crowed at daybreak
Ant CAB 85 p.448 The secret of Christ ; Richard Shephard
Rec CG 63 v.5 God asks, who will go for me

14/3 Int CG 133 v.2 Today I arise
Ant Ain’t that good news? ; Hogan
Rec CG 67 v.5 Jesus Christ is calling

21/3 Int SGP 23 Come with me
Ant CG 79 Lord, you have come to the lakeside *flutes, guitar
Rec CG 91 Now go in peace

28/3 Int SGP 11 v.3 The word was in the world
Ant CAB 50 p.239 My shepherd is Lord ; Oxley
Rec SGP 16 v.3 Tempted to transform the stones into bread

28/3 Evening service of meditation; more to be decided in due course
Abide with me ; Hogan
All in the April evening ; Roberton
Responsorial prayer – CG 120 Stay with me (Taize response)
CG 137 Trim the crusie’s failing light

4/4 Int CG 86 v.1 Meekness and majesty
Ant CAB 10 p.48 Ave verum ; Mozart
Rec CG 86 v.2 Father’s pure radiance

11/4 Easter Day
Int SGP 100 Surrexit Dominus
Gospel CG 30 Eastertide Gospel acclamation (To be sung before
Gospel reading, and instead of normal anthem)
Rec CAB 87 p.458 v.1 & 3 The strife is o’er ; Ley

18/4 Int CAB 29 p.145 God so loved the world ; Goss
Ant CG 46 Haven’t you heard?
Rec CG 5 Alleluia

25/4 Int SGP 108 Thuma mina, Send me Lord
Ant SGP 117 When our lives are joined to Christ
Rec SGP 111 v.2 We will walk with each other

2/5 Int CG 14 Bless the Lord my soul
Ant Blessed is the man (Songs from the Psalms 1E)
Rec CG 49 v.4 Heaven shall not wait

9/5 Int CG 95 v.4 O Lord, your glorious cross shall tower
Ant Lord, I want to be a Christian ; Hogan
Rec O when the saints ; arr. McAulay *with saxophones*

16/5 Int CG 143 v.1 We lay our broken world
Ant CAB 21 p.110 Comfort, O Lord ; William Crotch
Rec CG 121 The peace of the earth be with you

23/5 Int Suffer little children to come unto me
Ant CAB 13 p.62 Blest are the pure in heart ; Walford Davies Rec CG 1 v.1 A touching place

30/5 Pentecost
Int Dance with the Spirit
Ant Ev’ry time I feel the Spirit ; Hogan
Rec CG 116 Spirit of the Living God

6/6 Int As the deer ; arr. McAulay
Ant The Lord is my shepherd ; Howard Goodall
Rec You’re my friend (verse 3 of As the deer)

13/6 Int SGP 61 Kyrie eleison
Ant CAB 54 p.266 O come let us sing ; Anthony Piccolo
Rec SGP 76 v.1 Make me a channel of your peace

20/6 Sunday Club service
Int Songs from the Psalms 150 Praise Him on the trumpet
Ant For the beauty of the earth ; Rutter
Rec SGP 50 Jubilate (whole Congregation – sing twice)








Int = Introit, Ant = Anthem, and Rec = Recessional