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.