On Sunday 8th February, some 25 members and representatives of Cathedral Music Trust gathered in the magnificent Selby Abbey, North Yorkshire, for a York area local gathering.
Following a welcome from Local Ambassador Alistair Timmis and the Vicar, Canon John Weetman, the Abbey’s own distinguished Director of Music Oliver Waterer provided a verbal overview of the musical offering at the Abbey. The work to build up the choir and, with the aid of grant funding, increase musical capacity through the appointment of an Assistant Organist, exemplify the achievements of the last five years, Oliver having arrived in 2021.
A comprehensive demonstration of the magnificent Hill organ, including its smooth flutes and noble reeds was followed by a short recital, including pieces by Bach, Alain and Reger. An unusual but very welcome feature of the gathering was the chance to try out the organ, with two Cathedral Music Trust members bringing along pieces by Darke and Bach respectively, to play from the handsome nave console.
A 40 minute tour of the Abbey, given with both fascinating historic insight and genuine entertainment value by Canon John, followed. Selby Abbey has a long and fascinating history, and is well worthy of a visit if you have never been. In consultation with their website, it will be possible to coincide this with a concert or choral service with relative ease! St Germain is the Abbey patron, and there are even American links in a window above the high altar which showcases the coat of arms of George Washington’s family.
Following some more refreshments, provided by choir members and Abbey volunteers Karen and Sue – to whom we are most grateful, Trust members observed the rehearsal of the Abbey choir ahead of Choral Evensong. Oliver is clearly working hard to create a very blended choral sound, with real attention paid to delivery detail during an interesting and energetic rehearsal. The music in the service included canticles by Sumsion in A, with its haunting opening to the Nunc Dimittis and a thrilling Gloria. The Stanford anthem, ‘How beauteous are their feet’, concluded with some very full organ chords – quite an experience in the Abbey chancel! Ian Seddon played us the very jolly ‘Dancing Toccata’ with aplomb, a rousing conclusion to a wonderful afternoon.
Introit: When to the Temple Mary Went (Eccard)
Responses: Sanders
Psalm: 148
Canticles: Sumsion in A
Anthem: How Beauteous are Their Feet (Stanford)
Hymns: Immortal Love, For Ever Full (omit v. 4 & 5) (675); Be Thou my Guardian and my Guide (116)
Voluntary: Dancing Toccata op.59 (Steele)
Thanks are afforded to all the Selby Abbey staff, volunteers and musicians who provided for us such a wonderful showcase of their building, music and hospitality. Do visit the market town of Selby to experience one of the country’s greatest parish churches, thriving amidst a growing music tradition, and a very warm welcome.
by Alistair Timmis
Local Ambassador (York), Cathedral Music Trust
