King James Celebraton

Yes, it has been more than three months since I have sent any images of our marvelous experience here in England so that now it will require a Herculean effort to catch you up.  As you must now be aware, I am not the one who first thinks of whipping out the camera to document the moment and I am even worse at translating those pixels into images on the computer, but I will try to share a bit today (in honor of Jared's birthday) and do better in future. 

My birthday present last June was being able to participate in a 200-voice choir to celebrate the publication of the King James Bible 400 years ago.  The event was produced on a large field on the Preston Temple site.  Rehearsals were held every Sunday eve for four months.  I was able to attend about half of those practices because of the distances and time involved, but it was always a joy to gather with the saints to sing this beautiful music.  I did feel at one with them.  I decided to sing tenor on any of the pieces which were new to me.  Tenors were needed, and if I were going to learn a new song, I might just as well learn tenor as alto.  I felt I made a difference in that section. 

My favorite was the Mendelssohn "He, Watching Over Israel".  I had never sung it before, and I marveled at how Mendelssohn kept mixing his melody anew.  He could have ended the piece at several points, but I could imagine him getting excited about a new idea and writing in one more glorious swell.  So grateful that he did!  We also sang a beautiful "23rd Psalm" by Crimond and a fun tune which apparently is very popular here, "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." 

Here I am with the two lovely young ladies who invited me to make my entrance with them.  We walked down a rather steep hill path to get to the marquee (tent) where the choir was seated.  Although clouds were blowing by much of the afternoon, our prayers were answered and we did not get a drop of rain.  We were dressed in the usual black skirts and white blouses, but I had long underwear top and bottom because we had nearly frozen at rehearsal the night before.  Can you tell I am excited?

Here you can see the setup.  We are under the marquee.  This is about the first third of the field.  The sound equipment was under the little green ramada.  I understand the sound was best on the sidehill which was also day of music and the beautiful words of the King James Bible.