Greetings from Coventry, England! We left York early this morning and drove 3 hours south, arriving in the city of Coventry at noon. We popped into the choir room at the cathedral, warmed up for 10 minutes, donned our robes, and sang a half hour concert in the modern Cathedral Church of St. Michael. The story and history of this town and its cathedral is fascinating.
The original cathedral, dating back 1,000 years, was destroyed by German bombs in an air raid during World War II in November 1940. The morning after the town and the cathedral were decimated, the decision was made immediatley to build a new cathedral, quite controversial at the time. The cornerstone was laid by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956 and she returned for the consecration in 1962. The new cathedral is built and attached to the ruins of the old cathedral, of which the tower and walls still stand.
The site is truly sacred and holy space. The shell of the old cathedral is a reminder of the devastation and horror produced by WWII, and throughout both the old and new structures, offerings of art and sculpture from the Germans and Japanese make real the promise of reconciliation and peace. The morning after the bombing, the Dean of Coventry Cathedral wrote in the charred remains, "Father Forgive" and these words remain etched in the old cathedral as a reminder of the forgiveness offered to us all, friend and enemy alike.
The Choir's concert was superb, even more so because the Assistant Director of Music for the Cathedral attended our performance and was so very, very complimentary about our singing. Bravo, Choir!! An added bonus was the addition of David and Jani Holyan, our pastor and his wife, in the audience. David is doing his doctoral study in Cambridge this week and they took an afternoon to travel north and hear their choir. Thank you for joining us, David and Jani!
We are staying the next two evenings in the most quaint and charming English Inn. We love it! Tomorrow will be a relaxed day visiting Stratford-upon-Avon. Scroll down for new photos.
Peace be with you,
Bill
The Choir's final concert - St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
York
It's been a marvelous day in York, England! We drove into this ancient city after breakfast and walked to York Minster, the massive cathedral church in the middle of town. After a tour of the cathedral and viewing its incredible stained glass windows, we performed a 20 minute recital in the north transept. Once again we heard ourselves singing in a space that has produced magnificent sacred music for centuries - what an awesome feeling. The window behind where we sang (see the photos below) dates from the 13th century and contains over 100,000 pieces of glass.
After the recital we had a short tour of the city, then were "set free" for an afternoon of leisure. Most of us wandered the city, shopped, ate, and enjoyed another sunny day in England. We wandered down Shambles Street with its ancient street, shops, and houses, expecting Charles Dickens to come walking around the corner at any moment!
Some of us returned to the Minster at 5:15 and attended Choral Evensong. We sat in the Quire and were mesmerized by the choir of men and girls (the boys and girls alternate days) as they led us in choral prayer.
Tomorrow morning we drive south to Canterbury and sing a half hour concert at 1:00 p.m. I am proud and so happy to let you know that at the end of each day I have said, "It's been a great day!" Thank you all, at home and abroad, for your prayers and good wishes. We do carry them with us everywhere we go.
Enjoy some new new pictures to the right and below.
Peace and good night,
Bill
After the recital we had a short tour of the city, then were "set free" for an afternoon of leisure. Most of us wandered the city, shopped, ate, and enjoyed another sunny day in England. We wandered down Shambles Street with its ancient street, shops, and houses, expecting Charles Dickens to come walking around the corner at any moment!
Some of us returned to the Minster at 5:15 and attended Choral Evensong. We sat in the Quire and were mesmerized by the choir of men and girls (the boys and girls alternate days) as they led us in choral prayer.
Tomorrow morning we drive south to Canterbury and sing a half hour concert at 1:00 p.m. I am proud and so happy to let you know that at the end of each day I have said, "It's been a great day!" Thank you all, at home and abroad, for your prayers and good wishes. We do carry them with us everywhere we go.
Enjoy some new new pictures to the right and below.
Peace and good night,
Bill
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
England!
After many hours on the bus we arrived early this evening in York, England. We began our day by bidding farewell to lovely Edinburgh. After a quick stop at the border, we drove into England where the sun has been shining all day!
The highlight of our day was an afternoon visit to Durham Cathedral. This massive Norman structure sits on top of a high hill in the college city of Durham and is impressive beyond words. The structure is seeped in history - the nave being completed in the year 1133 - and also houses the remains of St. Cuthbert and St. Bede. It was a wonderful experience for us to walk through the cathedral and grounds. Google it if you have never seen it! Jason Alcorn, Andy Hampton, and I braved our way up 325 stairs to stand on top of the main tower. There are photos below of the gorgeous view from the top.
After leaving Durham we drove another 2 hours and made it to York where we will be staying for two nights. We sing a short (20 minute) recital in York Minster tomorrow, one of the largest cathedrals north of the Alps, then will tour the town.
My posts have been brief the past few evenings as I have been exhausted by the time I can blog! It's not quite so late today, so I can share a few more details of our first concert at St. Giles' on Monday. After I played the organ solo (the "Final" from Vierne's first organ symphony - I'm still on cloud nine) a Scottish gentleman was waiting for me. He was visiting Edinburgh from the north, attended the concert, and asked if our choir was the Cathedral Choir! I told him that we were from the USA and on tour, and his reply was, "You should be the cathedral choir!" Everyone thus far has been so gracious and kind, and very helpful.
The spirit among the group still amazes me - even at breakfast at the early hours there is much laughter and visiting, everyone truly enjoying each other's company. This trip continues to be such a blessing for everyone, and especially their director.
OK, enough talk....scroll down to see photos!
Peace,
Bill
The highlight of our day was an afternoon visit to Durham Cathedral. This massive Norman structure sits on top of a high hill in the college city of Durham and is impressive beyond words. The structure is seeped in history - the nave being completed in the year 1133 - and also houses the remains of St. Cuthbert and St. Bede. It was a wonderful experience for us to walk through the cathedral and grounds. Google it if you have never seen it! Jason Alcorn, Andy Hampton, and I braved our way up 325 stairs to stand on top of the main tower. There are photos below of the gorgeous view from the top.
After leaving Durham we drove another 2 hours and made it to York where we will be staying for two nights. We sing a short (20 minute) recital in York Minster tomorrow, one of the largest cathedrals north of the Alps, then will tour the town.
My posts have been brief the past few evenings as I have been exhausted by the time I can blog! It's not quite so late today, so I can share a few more details of our first concert at St. Giles' on Monday. After I played the organ solo (the "Final" from Vierne's first organ symphony - I'm still on cloud nine) a Scottish gentleman was waiting for me. He was visiting Edinburgh from the north, attended the concert, and asked if our choir was the Cathedral Choir! I told him that we were from the USA and on tour, and his reply was, "You should be the cathedral choir!" Everyone thus far has been so gracious and kind, and very helpful.
The spirit among the group still amazes me - even at breakfast at the early hours there is much laughter and visiting, everyone truly enjoying each other's company. This trip continues to be such a blessing for everyone, and especially their director.
OK, enough talk....scroll down to see photos!
Peace,
Bill
Monday, October 11, 2010
Edinburgh Day 3
Today was....magical. We began the day with our first concert at St. Giles' Cathedral, the "Mother Church" for Presbyterians. The Choir sang so beautifully in this grand space. Their director could not be prouder! An added inspiration to our day: just before we sang the sun finally came out! The cathedral was filled with joyous, lovely light! It truly was a sign and inspiration for us all.
After the midday concert we grabbed a quick lunch then toured Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood House, the early summer residence of Queen Elizabeth. This evening we enjoyed a lovely dinner with traditional Scottish music and dancing and a taste of the haggis! We depart this incredible city tomorrow morning and head south into England. We will stop in Durham and end the day in York.
Scroll down to enjoy photos of our magical day in Edinburgh!
God bless,
Bill
After the midday concert we grabbed a quick lunch then toured Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood House, the early summer residence of Queen Elizabeth. This evening we enjoyed a lovely dinner with traditional Scottish music and dancing and a taste of the haggis! We depart this incredible city tomorrow morning and head south into England. We will stop in Durham and end the day in York.
Scroll down to enjoy photos of our magical day in Edinburgh!
God bless,
Bill
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Edinburgh, Day 2
We began our day with a delicious Scottish breakfast at the hotel, then attended the 10.00 am Communion Worship Service at St. Giles' Cathedral. The liturgy was an inspiring, beautiful, and uplifting service for us! The music of the magnificent organ and cathedral choir, along with beautiful prayers, preaching, and a powerful communion service was a perfect start to our day.
We drove out of Edinburgh and visited Scone Palace, the home of the Earl of Mansfield. This exquisite country estate is filled with history and priceless artifacts and furnishings. After that we visited St. Andrews, nestled on the North Sea coastline. We walked through the ruins of the ancient cathedral then made a stop at the world famous St. Andrew's golf course. Our duffers were thrilled to be there!
Tomorrow we perform our first concert at St. Giles' Cathedral at 12:15. We are excited for this first performance in the "Mother Church" of Presbyterianism!
Scroll down to see some photos from today!
Peace from Scotland,
Bill
We drove out of Edinburgh and visited Scone Palace, the home of the Earl of Mansfield. This exquisite country estate is filled with history and priceless artifacts and furnishings. After that we visited St. Andrews, nestled on the North Sea coastline. We walked through the ruins of the ancient cathedral then made a stop at the world famous St. Andrew's golf course. Our duffers were thrilled to be there!
Tomorrow we perform our first concert at St. Giles' Cathedral at 12:15. We are excited for this first performance in the "Mother Church" of Presbyterianism!
Scroll down to see some photos from today!
Peace from Scotland,
Bill
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Edinburgh
Our travel across the Atlantic was uneventful and quick! We arrived at Manchester airport this morning at 8:00 UK time. We then drove through the lake district of northern England (gorgeous country!) into Scotland. We stopped for lunch at Gretna Green, and arrived in Edinburgh at 4:00 this afternoon. We were all very happy to be on solid ground and be able to shower and rest!
The weather is cool and cloudy, but that has not dampened the spirit of our group. Everyone is so excited to be here, and after a quick walk up the Royal Mile to St. Giles' Cathedral, I saw our concert poster posted for all to see. Our performance is there on Monday at noon.
It's been a long couple of days, but will post some pictures of the group and will update tomorrow.
Blessings from Scotland,
Bill
The weather is cool and cloudy, but that has not dampened the spirit of our group. Everyone is so excited to be here, and after a quick walk up the Royal Mile to St. Giles' Cathedral, I saw our concert poster posted for all to see. Our performance is there on Monday at noon.
It's been a long couple of days, but will post some pictures of the group and will update tomorrow.
Blessings from Scotland,
Bill
Friday, October 8, 2010
Departure Day has arrived!
A Prayer for the Journey
O God of Heather and Field, Hearth and Home, Kirk and Cathedral, grant unto your pilgrims the safety of crossing the waters, the joy of lifting up melodies and musings in the beauty that awaits them. May their voices be as one in the lifting of souls and spirits so that the beauty and the grander of holy places will be as alive as the soul of the saints that dwell where they go. May they find peace in the stillness, laughter in folly, and awe in the stunning beauty of all that will envelop them.
“And May the strength of God pilot them.
May the wisdom of God instruct them
May the hand of God protect them
May the word of God direct them
And May your salvation, O Lord, be always theirs
As they journey, and forevermore. *” Amen
[Adapted from a Prayer of St. Patrick A.D. 373]
A Prayer Written by Rev. Dr. Paul T. Reiter on the occasion of the Choir Tour of the First presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, MO to Scotland and England
Dear friends,
After nearly two and half years of waiting, we leave today.
My next post will be from Edinburgh!
Peace and Grace, Bill
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