The Summer School has come. The Summer School has gone.

On behalf of the Cape Town Branch of the Royal School of Church Music SA, we would like to thank all participants for making the summer school a memorable occasion. Without you, it wouldn't have been the same. A special word of thanks to Simon Lindley, Grant Brasler, Desmond Weeder and Fr Nolan Tobias for their contributions. Below are some pictures taken during the week:

SUMMER SCHOOL CAPE TOWN 5 – 11 JANUARY 2009

by Bertus Bertram 

Sunday January 4, 2009 dawned as a warm windy day in Cape Town. Just after 11h00 the first members from all over South Africa and abroad started arriving. 

After finding our feet, we proceeded to the assembly hall for our first get together with the director, Dr Simon Lindley, from Leeds Parish, England. The first rehearsal identified areas that Dr Lindley was going to focus on during further rehearsals. 

The informal service in the beautiful chapel, with a choir of 100 voices was quite an experience. 

Monday morning started with Holy Communion in the chapel. After breakfast we had another rehearsal followed by tea at 11h00 and then more rehearsals. Just before lunch we took a break to pose for a group photo. The final product was rather funny, as the ground was sloping from left to right, and the photographer managed to take the photo in such a way that it looked as if Bertus Bertram, who was sitting on the end right hand side, was tilting the whole choir! The afternoon was spent with more rehearsals followed by an evening service in the chapel before dinner. The evening was concluded with some examples of excellent organ playing by a few organ students. Dr Lindley imparted with some valuable advice of these young organists. 

The rest of the week followed in very much the same trend, with the evening programmes being the main attractions. On Tuesday we proceeded to St George’s Cathedral for an Epiphany service. During the day the juniors were allowed to go for a swim in the school’s swimming pool.  

On Wednesday evening we learnt a lot more about the style of music by Taizė, which has become a favourite in the Anglican community. On Thursday evening we heard music never been heard in the Cathedral before, when Dr Lindley gave an organ recital with a difference; right across the spectrum.

On Friday evening a festival Evensong was held in the Cathedral, much to the delight of some of the older congregants, to hear a 100-voice choir in the Cathedral again, something that does not happen often. After supper the group was treated to a visit to the V&A Waterfront.

Saturday was not for relaxing, we had a few rehearsals again, and prepared for the variety concert in the evening. The highlight of the variety concert was a performance by the juniors, during which treble John Spengler did an excellent impersonation of Dr Lindley, without being offensive. John also did a stage production; supported by Bertus Bertram of a joke regarding a red bicycle, which had the audience in stitches,. The evening was concluded with special words of thanks to Dr Lindley, Grant Brasler and the RSCM committee of the Cape Town branch for their efforts in making this a memorable summer school. 

Sunday’s Mass was particularly memorable, as the current Chairman of the branch, Ordinand Craig Abrahams, presented former Chairman, Dr Barry Smith with an Honorary Branch Membership.