Visit to Rochester Cathedral
On Saturday the 14th June 2014, a memorable afternoon at Rochester Cathedral began with attendance at Choral Evensong. Honoring the continued presence and good work of the French Hospital, founded by the Huguenot community in the 17th century, the service began with a welcome to all in French and concluded with a French translation of ‘Thine Be The Glory’ sung to ‘Judas Maccabeus’ by Handel.
The choir was in excellent form, and it was also thrilling to hear superb accompaniment of Dyson in D canticles and Bairstow’s ‘Blessed City, Heavenly Salem’ by Claire Innes-Hopkins, the new assistant Director of Music.
Following a warm, enthusiastic and informative introduction to the organ by Scott Farrell, Director of Music, Catherine Oliver, the organ scholar, helped 12 out of 15 attendees to try out selected repertoire. Whilst the sound of the organ in the choir was impressive, playing it surrounded by loud sections of the organ at close quarters in the loft was thrilling and all who climbed the two short, steep staircases returned to ground level safely.
Writing this report as a female organist chairman, it is now good to see two young women in the cathedral organ loft doing excellent work.
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Marilyn Harper
