Today is Sunday and it is a day I have been anticipating!  The 25 directors and a few members of the Christ Church SATB Choir will lead the morning Eucharist along with 2 organists from Williamson Voices.  We eat a little breakfast and then head over to the church.  As we enter the cloister the change ringers begin.

Then it’s through the gift shop and up a small stairs to a very small choir rehearsal room.  We ran through the music, Byrd’s Mass for 4 voices, several very English hymns and a anthem that wasn’t particularly memorable.  As we came down the stairs, a member of their choir pointed to a stained glass window and said it was the oldest stained glass in the chapel.

Next it was off to line-up for the procession.

Then off to the service which I thought was lovely.  We sang well, the sermon was nice.  The organ playing was magnificent.

After service a few of us, the other Darren, the aforementioned organist, Peter Carter and fellow conductor Mark Loria toured “downtown” Oxford.  We at at a little cafe and then had a drink at the Eagle and Child Pub that C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and other writers used to meet to discuss their latest books.  Next was the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology with it’s fine display of Pre-Raphaelites and 1000 other exhibits and finally a climb up the clock tower for a wonderful view of the city.  The day ended with a little shopping, a great dinner with friends and talent night in the common room.  Some fine talent on display with Jacob Finkle getting the most laughs with his rendition of an old Irving Berlin tune that no one had ever heard of…and only he could have gotten away with singing.  A great time was had by all!