|
Articles on this page - click on the article you want to read
RSCM/ National Seafarers
Celebration Service -Sunday, 13th July 2008
Music for the Eucharist -
Saturday, 17th May 2008
"Lift High the Cross"
- Saturday, 16th February 2008
Excursion
to the Garden Route - 6 - 8 July 2007
RSCM
Summer School, Johannesburg, 2007
South African "Voice
for Life" Tour with Leah Perona-Wright, August 2007
Music for the Eucharist, St Nicholas Church, 12th May 2007
One Day Festival, St
Paul's Church, 27th May 2006
RSCM
Summer School, Pietermaritzburg, 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RSCM/ National Seafarers Celebration Service -Sunday, 13th July
2008
 On
Sunday, the 13th of July 2008, RSCM Cape Town Branch
teamed up with the Mission to Seafarers in celebrating National
Seafarers Day at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Harbour.
An RSCM choir consisting of about 60
affiliates have had two rehearsals beforehand at the historic
Cape Town Church of St Mark in District Six. The choirs were
directed by Desmond Weeder, and the organist was Emile Wyngaard.
What would a Seafarers Service be without the
hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save”? As we remembered all those
who died at sea the last post was played, followed by Abide with
me. The music for the day fitted in perfectly with the team,
chosen especially by Mr Weeder, who himself was in the SA Navy.
It was the first time that RSCM Cape Town has
organised such a service, and we hope that this will become an
annual institution.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music for the Eucharist - Saturday, 17th May 2008
It was an enthusiastic group of choristers who ascended upon the
beautiful and historic Cape Town church of St Philip the Deacon
in Woodstock. Mr Charles Anyster, no stranger to the RSCM,
was to be the director for the day, whilst Mr Emile Wyngaard was
to be the organist. Mr Desmond Weeder assisted with the part
practices. The Setting used for the day was the "Folk Mass".
Upon the completion of the day's events, we said our fond
goodbye's, with everyone asking, "When is the next one?" Below
are some pictures from the day. Click on the pictures to
enlarge.
"Lift High the Cross"
- Saturday, 16th February 2008
 On Saturday, 16 February, just
over a hundred choristers from across the province (as far away
as George in the southern Cape), ascended upon the historic
church of St Stephen the Martyr, Pinelands.
We were please to welcome our
director for the day, David Orr, who has recently been appointed
Director of Music at St George's Cathedral, Cape Town. He was
assisted by Emile Wyngaard on the organ. Craig Abrahams,
chairman of the branch, compiled a very thought-provoking order
of service, with well known anthems and hymns for the season of
Lent.
Back
to Top
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excursion
to the Garden Route - 6 - 8 July 2007
Archbishop
Templeton [of blessed memory] once said that the Church is the only
institute which exists not for itself. This is further elaborated in a
prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi where it says that ‘it is in
giving that we receive and that in dying to our old [or previous
 ways]
that we are born to eternal life. It should thus come as no surprise
that I was granted the privileged to represent our branch together with
Messrs Wyngaard, Blaauw & Weeder to Mossel Bay & George. This I would
like to consider as part of our ‘evangelizing’ aspect as it were.
Our
purpose, a response raised from our committee meeting firstly about our
Mossel Bay affiliate and also the possibility of arranging an event in
that locality as part of the 80th Anniversary of the RSCM. It
is fitting at this juncture to thank the honorable branch treasurer for
releasing the necessary funds. At the same time my fellow three ‘travel
mates’ are to be thanked for their outstanding organizational skills
which to fore as every mile of the way was travelled.
We
departed from Cape Town on Friday 6th July 2007 shortly after
10 am. Our first meeting was to be held with the parish priest of Mossel
Bay, Rev. Dr. Mark Marais. Mr. Weeder who had been superior in
orchestrating our meeting logistics took lead of this first meeting. Dr.
Marais was in high spirits to have been visited by representatives of an
organization that his parish had been allegiant to. The RSCM was
‘re-sold’ to him and complimentary copies of the national newsletter was
presented to him which he was happy to receive. At that meeting in the
ever wisely employed hermeneutics of a priest he invited the
representatives to the Sunday Mass. In time it became clear that our
Sunday Mass plan was already decided.
After the
meeting we departed to George, Mr. Wyngaard had arranged that our
accommodation was to be at Pine Lodge which was minutes away from the
fine looking Cathedral and joyfully buzzing suburb of Conville. Our
supper was at the resort’s restaurant. After evening prayers the night
was concluded and our first lap was completed.
After our
Saturday breakfast in our chalet we departed to the Cathedral Church of
St. Mark to deliver the necessary material there. To promote and sustain
canonical harmony the Diocesan Bishop’s office was briefed about our
visit.
Our third
meeting of the weekend was held at the Parish Church of St. Paul in Conville , who once had been affiliates of RSCM Cape Town. We were taken
of a tour of the church building and welcomed by the Church Warden , it
was amazing to see the photographs of the choirs in years past and also
be reminded of the lively present choral tradition. Unfortunately we
were a week late for the Diocesan Choir Festival. I was told that the
congregation is invited NOT to come to Mass on that particular
morning as this big building proves itself to be too small as the choir
takes up all the seating.
Our meeting
was held with Mr. Hyran Moorta, who has been involved in church music
since his early childhood. Mr. Moorta is Director of Music of the Parish
and also of the George-Knysna Archdeaconry Choir a third hat is that of
Diocesan involvement.
In terms of
assessment we were exposed to the breathing and energetic role of church
music. The assumption that there is no musical activity in that vicinity
was and has been squashed! At the same time we were also introduced to
the challenges and confrontations that church musicians are beset with
in the area. Mr. Moorta’s knowledge and encounters was like a ever
flowing stream of well received information. We could only but build on
what we learnt. It should be clear by now that this weekend was
everything but a boisterous disorderly jamboree.
Serious
work, staid discussions and deliberations was our diet as it were.
Saturday’s
supper was held at a nearby restaurant. After further discussions and
evening prayers the evening drew to its close.
Our
weekend was concluded by attending the Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Mossel
Bay we were privileged to be transported in delight to another dimension
as the choir blended in a celestial manner with their rendition of the
Holy City.
Back
to Top
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RSCM
Summer School, Johannesburg, 2007
It was a
very enthusiastic group of singers who converged on the very
attractive grounds of St Martin's School in Rosettenville,
Johannesburg, to attend the annual South African Summer School
in January, 2007. Upon arrival, hugs and kisses were exchanged,
old friend re-united and gossip exchanged!!
After
settling in, we were soon introduced to our Warden for the week,
Janet Chalmers. We
soon learnt that what she said was law, and that the "10pm
lock-in" was no joke at all (although there were some of us who
"forgot" about that rule more than once, with dire
consequences!).
Geoff
Weaver was the director for the course. Geoff is well-known for
being a fan of world music, and we sang music from almost every
continent on earth. The music befitted the theme of every
service perfectly, as sung the acoustically rich chapel of the
school, with its equally wonderful organ, accompanied by Ron
Gill. The Sunday service was held at St Mary's Cathedral, in
which Parry's "I was Glad" and Darke's "Mass Setting in F"
sounded absolutely splendidly.
After the
Sunday morning service and a well deserved lunch, we said our
final goodbye's, with the thought that the countdown to the next
summer school in Port Elizabeth was less than one year away!!!
Back to Top
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South African "Voice
for Life" Tour with Leah Perona-Wright, August 2007
 The birth of the South African Division of
the RSCM saw the emergence of a National Strategy which had as
its principal objectives, the raising of the organisation’s
profile within its target group within the country, as well as
exploring ways of attracting younger people to the RSCM’s work.
To begin to realise these aims, an invitation was extended to
the young and exuberant Leah Perona-Wright, co-director of the
“Voice for Life” programme, to visit South Africa, thereby
bringing the “paper programme” to life and at the same time
exposing singers, teachers and choir leaders to this new
approach to choral dynamics, voice care and development. This
confirmed two of the many strengths of RSCM International: the
use of its networking and resources (both people and products).
Strongly endorsed by the National Committee
through face-to-face meetings and teleconferences, the branches
throughout the country enthusiastically prepared to ensure the
success of Leah’s visit. An impressive banner, magnificent blue folders, logo embossed
note pads and pencils were manufactured, promoting RSCM South
Africa and adding lustre and professionalism to the project.
Leah's tour began in the Mother City of
Cape Town. A well-attended one-day school was held at St John’s
Church, Athlone. The day concluded with a service during which
all the participants heartily performed the songs and hymns that
they had learnt. Even Leah felt especially moved by the music
that spoke of the unity that is experienced when people from
different backgrounds, cultures and countries come together to
worship God. The enthusiasm radiated through the faces of young
and old, while many wanted their photos taken with Leah. One
lady poignantly referred to Leah as “the face of the new
missionary”. What a lovely comment and heart-felt affirmation at
the beginning of the visit!
Back to Top
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music for the Eucharist, St Nicholas Church, 12th May 2007
“Craftsman art and music’s measure”
On 12 May 2007 members from all over the Cape Town
Branch converged to the attractive grounds and church building of St.
Nicholas, Matroosfontein in Elsies River, Cape Town. As most choirs
sing for the celebration of the Eucharist this was a day school focussing musically on Eucharistic material. This in itself is a
demanding task but was bravely and successfully challenged by the course
director, Mr. Emile Wyngaard, the accompanist, Mr. Keith Jenneker and
all the participants. Both of these accomplished musicians refined the
combined choir of approximately 150 with their talent and profound
musical insights. The facilities at the parish lent itself
advantageously to the use of the day and its ample ground space was a
dream come true for the ever over energetic young chorister. The day
started with a devotion led by the branch chairman Ordinand Craig
Abrahams after which it was time to face the music. Ordinand Craig also
offered some teaching on aspects of the Eucharist during the course of
the day which was highly welcomed. The main mass setting for the day was
that by Mr. Stephen Carletti which he composed for the 1994 RSCM Cape
Town Summer School.
The day was concluded with a Sung Mass presided by
the Rector of the parish the Venerable John Goliath assisted by Deacon
Sibeko. The unfolding drama of the day and the sacred liturgical drama
of the Eucharist re-affirmed the unique ministry of music in God’s
church. Unlike a secular contest or sing along here we were dealing with
that which is sacred, that which is inimitable to the Church of God. It
was then only fitting that our deeds , efforts and praise of the day
points to God the composer of our lives .It was indeed an historic
occasion as a set of Gospel Responses composed by Mr. Wyngaard was
premiered and the day school was also the first of its kind in the young
Diocese of Saldanha Bay.
“For
thy pleasure all combine”
Back to Top
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Day Festival, St
Paul's Church, 27th May 2006
 On the 27th of May 2006, Emile
Wyngaard conducted a RSCM One Day Festival at St Paul’s Church,
Cape Town. This was the first time that an entire day school has
been planned and run by young members of the RSCM Cape Town
branch. The day school was directed by Emile Wyngaard, Andrew
Bethke assisted on the organ and Craig Abrahams drew up the
liturgy for the day.
The day school was well attended, and a
huge success – musically as well as socially. The service at the
end of the day followed a liturgy of Music and the Word. Two
Motets were sung – both based on Psalms. The first was based on
Psalm 139 – ‘O God, You Search Me’ by Bernadette Farrell. The
second was based on Psalm 131 – ‘O Lord, my heart is not proud’
by Margaret Rizza. The service started with the triumphant hymn
‘O for a thousand tongues to sing’ to a tune by George
Thalben-Ball – a new tune to many. As a prayer for the church,
the hymn ‘The Church’s one foundation’ seemed appropriate. The
hymn ‘For the beauty of the earth’ was sung to a fairly new tune
by David Evans. And, to end it all, and to confirm our deep
Anglican Heritage, the hymn ‘Christ is made the sure foundation’
to the tune “Westminster Abbey” by Henry Purcell deemed
appropriate.
It was a good learning experience to all
involved in the day school, and showed that the RSCM Cape Town
still has a lot to offer – for young and old!!
Back to Top
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RSCM
Summer School, Pietermaritzburg, 2006
It was a group of
excited and expectant singers who descended onto St Nicholas
Diocesan School, Pietermaritzburg, from across South Africa on
Monday 2 January 2005. Many were renewing friendships made at
previous RSCM Summer Schools and knew what to expect. Some were
entirely new to the experience, and weren’t quite sure what to
make of the motley assembly of people ranging in age from about
6 (was the youngest treble from Cape Town?) to those who
preferred that you didn’t ask THAT question at all – and soon
gave themselves away when Gordon Stewart, our director for the
week, let us do exercises in the courtyard… The heat wave that
we experienced didn’t help to make us more energetic, either.
Gordon made quite sure that we all had bottles of water for all
the practice sessions and services, and if you didn’t have one:
well, the Evil Eye was turned on you and you made quite sure
that you got one – fast!
We soon settled down
into the comfortable routine of indulgent breakfast – practice –
lekka
lunch – rest – quenching tea – practice – heart stopping
Evensong – leisurely supper – off to bed. The “off to bed” bit
was true unless you happened to be one of the under-18’s, who
had many of us wondering where they found the energy for the
practice sessions during the day.
We learnt some
challenging works, and loved Gordon’s interpretations of the
words of the hymns. It’s so easy just to repeat the words
without considering what they mean. The Psalms were also studied
before we were shown how to phrase them. What a pleasure to look
at them again; and what a frustration to find that the ends of
the phrases were ALWAYS TOO LOUD!
Those of us from Cape
Town were very proud of the organist for the week, Grant
Bräsler. We know just how good his playing is, and it was great
to have it displayed to people from elsewhere. Many of us
realized afresh what a wonderful tradition Dr Barry Smith has
built up at St George’s. We could return home with a renewed
appreciation for what we have in the Mother City.
We were also incredibly
proud when Emile Wyngaard was elected as an RSCM South Africa
Council Representative – would he be the youngest one around
too?
If you haven’t been to
an RSCM Summer School before, make a New Year’s resolution now
to attend the 2007 one. You won’t be disappointed. You’ll have a
week of magical music-making; you’ll make dozens of new friends;
you might even meet the female tenor who had some people
thinking she didn’t know where to sit; you’ll learn music that
you probably don’t know; and by the end of the week you will
have experienced the sheer joy of concentrating only on making
magnificent music to the glory of God.
Back to Top
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
