Summer School 2009

[SOP]

Have just received some details through the post and would like to go.

I do not know this venue so can any regular Summer School attendees tell me more please. I was at Worth last year but that was my first Summer School and unfortunately I had bad hay (or pollution) fever all the time I was there.

Basically, any views/memories/etc

[docmattc]

Its not a venue that we have used before, but having been on a site visit, its really good place and feels just right for our summer schools. It has a good homely feel to it, a big airy and light chapel and excellent accommodation (unlike Worth, the beds aren't halfway up the wall!). Its on the edge of the Norfolk Broads on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, and while there was snow on the ground when I visited, I can imagine that in Summer its a stunning place to stay.

It promises to be a good week, so get those booking forms sent in as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.

The theme of the week is "As we Wait in Joyful Hope" and will focus on Christian hope. Fr Tim Menezes, who some may remember from Summer School 2007 in Whitby will be leading us along with Paul Wellicome as MD. Also with us will be Bp Michael Evans, Chris Walker, Mgr Tony Rogers, Ann Blackett, Miko Giedroyc, Edwin Fawcett, Peter Tibke, and others.

Summer school details (and online booking) should be up on our website in the next few days, but if you want to have a look at the venue, here's St Gabriel's website.

[Southern Comfort]

Just to confirm that Ditchingham is a great place to be. The chapel is a square space in which everything is moveable - just the thing to enable creating a true worshipping community. No organ there, though - the Summer School will have to borrow or hire one. The accommodation is good, too, and the food was not at all bad the last time I was there. There's no bar - the Summer School organisers will have to bring in what is required. And there's no internet access (though the secretary is very helpful in allowing people to hook into her wired connection once in a while).

Travel-wise, it's well off the beaten track, but also well worth the pilgrimage to get there. Sign up now!

Who, by the way, is Edwin Fawcett? Has anyone else ever heard of him? The blurb in the brochure is not encouraging.

[mcb]

Edwin's an extraordinarily talented young singer/composer/youth worker. He works for an East London parish, and is one of the creative forces behind the equally extraordinary St Patrick's Gospel Choir.

Who on earth is Southern Comfort?

[Southern Comfort]

Thank you, mcb. If he's a protégé of Miko, he must be a 'good thing'! I look forward to meeting him.

[johnquinn39]

Edwin's an extraordinarily talented young singer/composer/youth worker. He works for an East London parish, and is one of the creative forces behind the equally extraordinary St Patrick's Gospel Choir.

- Have a listen to the above singing 'Lamb of God' - this is really superb - http://www.myspace/stpatricksgospelchoir

[Southern Comfort]

All three tracks on myspace (I had to use Firefox to get there - Internet Explorer wouldn't find it) seem to feature a female soloist. Could this be Hermione Fawcett rather than Edwin? Or was John Quinn referring to the SPGC singing the Lamb of God, rather than Edwin Fawcett singing it?

Yes, the polish is certainly there, as one would expect of any group that Miko is involved with.

[MaryR]

I'm taking a break from the summer school organising team this year, but I did visit St. Gabriel's last year when we were trying to find a summer school venue that was mid-way between Sneaton (Yorks) and Worth (Sussex). We were hoping for something in the Midlands, but it's nigh on impossible to find anywhere that has the right amount of accommodation (most venues are too small, and some too big), at the right price, and that will let us have/run a bar - a most important consideration for an SSG summer school! Geographically, St. Gabriel's is sort of in the middle, albeit middle east! From the moment I arrived, I could see summer school working there. It's a lovely venue - very compact (for those who struggle with mobility) with everything under one roof, and mostly on one level. The staff were very welcoming and guests I met there couldn't speak highly enough of the place which I found very reassuring. I think regulars will soon feel as though they've been going there for years!

As for travelling, SC says it's a bit off the beaten track, but I should think it's easier to get to for most than Sneaton, and rail links from London appear to be good.

It's lovely, if a little strange, not to be involved in the organisation this year and I'm looking forward to being a participant. I've already sent my booking form off! And, this year, I'll have the luxury of attending a workshop; only trouble is, I can't decide which! I must confess to being drawn to Chris Walker's workshop, if only because the thought of a shoulder massage is so tempting. Like SC, I was curious about one or two of the leaders, but I'm sure more information will be provided with the workshop choices. There's usually a biography for each leader, and further information will also go on the website. With Fr. Tim Menezes as Liturgical Director, I think we're in for a thoughtful, thought-provoking week. And, knowing Paul Wellicome as I do, I guarantee the music will be an eclectic mix too!

I hope that all the regulars will support the Society at this new venue, and that others will be encouraged to come and give summer school a try.

[SOP]

I hadn't realised it was a new venue - thanks to all for replying.

My form is in the post.

[John Ainslie]

- Have a listen to the above singing 'Lamb of God' - this is really superb - http://www.myspace/stpatricksgospelchoir

The correct URL is http://www.myspace.com/stpatricksgospelchoir

If you haven't listened to it, do so. It's quite an ear-opener.

[lesley wright]

All I can say is, it's a good thing we don't all have the same taste in music. I'm afraid 'When I survey the wondrous cross' St Patrick's gospel choir-style did less than nothing for me.
But there's room in God's music library for all sorts, and my booking form went off in the post a couple of days ago too.
Lesley

[organist]

We are going to miss it again I'm afraid. The truth is that my main involvement is now in the Anglican church. Our cathedral involvemnt keeps us very much in touch with Catholic music albeit of the Latin and traditional variety. and that's my question? Will plainchant be given its place? Canon Bill Clements memorably said at an AGM "Don't forget the chant" and he's right especially as it looks as though some elements in the church want us to use it more. I'm not advocating going backwards but it's a thought. Much as I admire Miko, gospel music is not my scene and reports of the music from World Youth Day 2008 were not very positive. I hope I'm wrong! Does gospel music work at Mass? Is it too individualistic?

[docmattc]

Organist asks a pertinent question, but maybe not one for this thread. Please folks, avoid making assumptions about the music at Summer School based on a couple of recordings of one aspect of one workshop leader's musical role in another sphere. I'm sure that this year's musical director will give us a very broad sampling of musical styles at the liturgies of the week.

Many of the workshops offered this year are in direct response to what previous summer school goers have asked us for. This year, it happens that there isn't a workshop on chant specifically (although, if the participants wanted it, I supose sight singing could be in square notes as well as round, and I'm sure Chris Walker can compose modally!) but this has featured in previous years, Peter Allen gave a workshop in 2007 and John Ainslie a seminar in 2008, and it will undoubtedly feature in future. SSG has not forgotten the chant! (FWIW, next Sunday I will be reintroducing some in the parish where I play)

[MaryR]

Organist, we have a number of Anglican musicians who come to summer school and get a great deal from it so I don't think you should feel that it will no longer benefit you.

And there may be no plainchant workshop this year, but we've had one at the last three summer schools so it's certainly not being neglected! It has featured in several of the liturgies over the past few years too, and our gathering at Sneaton in 2007 was blessed by the involvement of Fr. Peter Allan (an Anglican!) from Mirfield.

Finally, just because Miko and Edwin are involved this year, doesn't mean it'll be all Gospel music! Paul Wellicome is our Music Director and, as I've already posted, I'm sure we're in for an eclectic mix. I think you're being a bit blinkered, Organist. I hope you'll reconsider joining us, if not for this year, then for another.

[mcb]

Organist, perhaps you've been away from Summer School too long to remember what actually goes on there? In my experience chant always features - in the year I was musical director (I don't think you were there) we made it the focus of all our psalm singing for the week. I'd go beyond that: I don't know of any organisation apart from the SSG (and the Summer School in particular) that combines upholding our chant heritage with "not going backwards", as you put it; that is, being true to the Society's founding vision based on the liturgical imperative of actuosa participatio.

I've not read anything in this year's promotional materials to suggest a gospel music theme, nor anything to suggest that Anglican participants, and those involved with cathedral music, wouldn't have as much to gain, and as much to contribute, as always.

M.