Wednesday 22 November 2006

Hail, hail bright Cecilia ...


Today is St Cecilia's Day

Thank God for music! – life would be so much emptier without it. On Saturday evening I will be in Ely Cathedral as one of the chorus in a performance of Duke Ellington’s sacred music. Gospel hits jazzzzz… The rehearsal last night promises that it will be a good evening.
There is just something about making music in company with others that takes you out of yourself, maybe it's just about teamwork, maybe there is more to it. At its best it is transcendent, a glimpse of something other. I was singing once next to the percussion in a come-and-sing in the Royal Albert Hall. For the second half the timpanist’s mother-in-law, a non-musician, came and sat with us. She was overwhelmed by being in the middle of the music making - something she had never experienced before.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150 (NRSV)
Good luck to the Decibelles singing tonight in Brighton – sing it out, sister!

No comments: