VI Chapel and Choir

VI CHAPEL AND CHOIR

Sacristan: J Pelser. Wardens: T Boniface, J Brewster, S Burston, O C Dalseme-Stubbs, E R Parsloe, K Relph, J Redburn, V Sautter, M L Skipsey. Organ Scholars: J V Dilworth, R Colman.

Sometimes the Chapel is full and noisy, glistening by candle-light in the winter dark to the strains of singing; sometimes it is quieter, with the spring sunshine gently bringing the silent stained glass to life, but all year round it is a beautiful and peaceful haven, a link with our Benedictine origins, and a place of prayer, celebration, and stillness for the whole community.

At the beginning of 2013, the 35th Master of Magdalene was installed at a splendid and very well-attended Choral Evensong in January, greeted by a trumpet fanfare, and it was a delight to welcome some of his family and friends to share the public start of his tenure here. Other highlights included the familiar Advent Carol Service by candlelight. The two Christmas Carol Services, one for students and one for staff (and in response to demand from these groups), continue to grow. Corporate Communion services in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms (or ‘curry and cake night’, as they are casually known!) continue to be very popular; and Remembrance Sunday – at which the Choir sang Fauré’s Requiem –remains a poignant and well-supported occasion for reflection.

Following an approach from former Organ Scholar Alex Woodrow, now Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral, we welcomed a group of boys from their choir who joined our Choir to sing Sunday Evensong and dine in Hall (17 February). This wonderful event gave some young people from quite deprived backgrounds a glimpse of (and perhaps a hint of aspiration for?) university life.

Preachers we welcomed included the Bishops of Rochester, Worcester, Bradford, and Southampton and the Dean of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. From the Faculty of Divinity we heard from Professor Graham Davies (Fitzwilliam College) and Dr Catherine Pickstock (Emmanuel College). Former Dean of Chapel and now Dean of Bristol, the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, helped us celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Authorised Version of the Bible; the Right Revd Richard Moth (Roman Catholic Bishop of the Armed Forces) reflected on Remembrance Sunday; and the Revd Dr James Heard (Associate Vicar of Christ Church and St Luke’s, Chelsea, who was attached to the Chapel during his ordination training) returned to preach. Other visiting preachers we welcomed were the Revd Stewart Fyfe (Parish Priest of the Leith-Lyvennet Parishes, Cumbria); the Revd Canon Vanessa Herrick (Rector of Wimborne Minster, Dorset); Loretta Minghella (Director of Christian Aid); the Revd Dr Jeni Parsons (formerly Rector of Matston, Gloucestershire); and Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB (Ampleforth Abbey).

Donations from Chapel collections went to Jimmy’s Night Shelter, Christian Aid, and Church Mission Society, while the Remembrance Sunday collection was given to the Royal Naval Benevolent Fund, and the Commemoration of Benefactors’ collection to the College Student Hardship Fund.

CHOIR REPORT. This year, apart from regular Chapel Evensongs on Thursday and Sunday in Full Term, the Choir has sung the office of Compline at 9.30 pm on many Wednesdays. In addition the Choir has provided support for services on Ash Wednesday and for a Confirmation in the Easter Term.

In the wider world, the Choir has sung Choral Evensong in Peterborough Cathedral on 3 November with music by Gibbons, and in St Edmundsbury Cathedral on 2 March with music by Weelkes and Brahms. On Sunday 3 March, the Choir was invited to sing at the University Sermon in Great St Mary’s providing the seasonal anthem ‘Wash me throughly’ by S S Wesley.

On the final Thursday of the Easter Term, John Dilworth conducted Parry’s ‘Blest pair of sirens’ with organ accompaniment.

The Choir Tour was to the Netherlands from 29 June to 3 July. Evensong was sung in St Niklaas Basilica in Amsterdam, as part of their outreach programme. Concerts were given in the English Church in the Begijnhof in Amsterdam, and in the Maria van Jessekerk in Delft.

At the end of the year we said good-bye to several singers and to John Dilworth, who has been a most musical organist and conductor. We are most grateful to all of them for what they have done for the Choir and College, and encourage them to stay in touch.

Mr Hellyer Jones with the Choir Photo: John Thompson