more from our singers and groupies...

I have to begin at St Paul’s: when we stood under the dome to sing, we looked out over a sea of faces; I wondered if they had any idea what they were about to hear. I remembered Douglas saying that “many” had wanted to sing here, but we had been selected. During that concert, each time Douglas gave us a cut-off I felt as though our sound was flowing over everyone, bathing us in a fine mist of glorious tones, like the finest of snow crystals – it was AWESOME!

So many memories: crashing a town garden tour in the Cotswolds, hearing the Berkeley Carroll School Upper School Choir (NYC) in Oxford, a warm cookie at Ben’s afterwards, a walking adventure through the streets of Canterbury; lunch, an unexpected treat at the Food Hall, and dinner that was literally made-to-order! London: watching people, seeing Wicked, an Italian culinary surprise, singing in St. Paul’s and then climbing to the outside of the dome (391 steps up and down), and sharing food and drinks with new friends who will never be forgotten.

Who will ever forget our faithful guide, Susie Howe? “RICHARD!”

How fitting that we should conclude our incredible musical journey together at St. James. I recall they described communion as “peeling an onion from the inside-out…” I was not sure about this, but it was such a moving experience. Earlier in the trip we had talked about hymn-tunes; I had mentioned “O Waly, Waly” and the offertory hymn was a Fred Pratt Green text set to this wonderful melody. The feeling of community during communion was so intense, so real.

I could never forget Douglas; the dreamer, truly the choir-master, with the can-do dream that made this adventure come true…fish-lip tones and all…watch him…the teacher, the master musician …we were a “choir,” a group of individuals who made one sound, always to God. Peace to all…

-Barry Cornwall

Some amusing details of language: buffets in England were not advertised (advertized?) as sporting opportunities (“all you can eat”), but as opportunties to dine selectively (“eat what you like”). As we debouched from our return flight on Virgin Airlines, on an airline established by a non-establishment rock music entrepreneur, I noted that its prime seating was described as “upper class.” There will always be an England.

-H. Talmage Day

Each time someone asks "How was your trip?" I explain how wonderful it was that our singing gave the trip focus. Not only did we visit many fabulous, historic, beautiful places, but a whole new world unfolded to me by being a particpant and actor in addition to a visitor and observer. I could almost imagine myself as part of the medieval English drama. But the "ah-ha" singing moment for me was listening to the tape of our singing "Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem" at St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford - was that really the St. Paul's sopranos soaring (in tune)? That church was the perfect space for us, in my opinion. And when I tell people where we sang - people who have travelled all over the world and know England well - and they say, really? And I say, yes, I'm serious, I stand a little taller, a little prouder of what we have done for St. Paul's and ourselves and for Douglas - and am even more grateful to him for having the vision to make this happen.

-Barbara Day