DAY ONE: The first Evensong of the post-Christmas 2015; the 10-year anniversary trip to the U.K. by St. Michael’s Choir, Orlando.
All day today (December 31) was spent at Charterhouse, doing a final run-through of all the music we will sing. After three hours of rehearsal, at now 1:00 p.m., we went to one of the many great pubs in the area for lunch. This was followed by an incredible tour of Charterhouse, established in 1371 as a monastery for Carthusian monks. Quite frankly, we were overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity, and hospitality given by one of the brothers. Evensong was at 5:30—splendid singing by all! One of the brothers even complimented us on our wonderful diction! Now members of the crew have dispersed to many different areas of London to celebrate New Year’s Eve. St. Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow!
DAY TWO: After a late breakfast for most folks, as this adventurous crew is wont to do, off everywhere and anywhere exploring London!
After cutting through some tiny streets that remind us of Diagon Alley, the cathedral emerged. It took our breath away! We had an excellent rehearsal, a most worshipful presence of the Holy Spirit, and a beautiful service of Evensong. There must have been at least 500 to 800 in the nave listening. You cannot help but worship in that place. “Wow! God is awesome” went through our minds constantly. One or two of the brothers from Charterhouse even came to hear us again!
DAY THREE: Collectively, I think the crew will have visited practically all “the famous bits” of London by the time our last day here arrives.
During rehearsal at 3:30, two amazing “only God could have arranged this” situations happened:
- The organist was an organ scholar at Portsmouth Cathedral, where I sang as a boy.
- The cantor who sang last night and tonight, a Mother Rosemary, had studied the exact same degree as I had in university. We both had exactly the same academic hoods, which I have never seen another wear! We sang full of power, passion, and beauty. Wow—that eight-second reverb is absolutely thrilling! Again, a packed-to-the-gills St. Paul’s—must have been about 800, possibly more.
DAY FOUR: Our second Evensong at Charterhouse—this time, singing in the balcony.
Some more wonderful singing, this time to quite a large crowd for their chapel, due to our being there to sing on the occasion of the 80th birthday of one of the brothers. After free time in the afternoon, back to St. Paul’s today, for the first of our last two Evensongs.
DAY FIVE: ’Tis a routine now: breakfast and say hello to everyone, figure out what to do today, then be at St. Paul’s by 3 o’clockish for the 3:30 rehearsal and 5 p.m. Evensong. Weather continues to be very mild for the season. Another awesome Evensong. It was truly a little hard not to give all of one’s energy, voice, and spirit when in St. Paul’s, surrounded by the incredible examples, no matter where you looked, of how God inspired others to give him so much of themselves to create this awesome place! One final Evensong to go on Tuesday, then most of us return home on Wednesday.
DAY SIX: Our adventure comes to an end. On the eve of Epiphany, the light of Christ shone into and through these bodies—tired and exhausted from exploring, walking, singing, and pubbing (if that’s a word)—and produced another thrilling encounter with the living God at Evensong. We leave with hearts full of thanks and praise.
Thank you for all your prayers. We know our singing reached the ears of at least 3,000 folks, and we pray God used us to reveal himself in their hearts. Soli deo Gloria!
Andrew Walker holds a Bachelor of Music with Honors from the University of London – Royal Holloway College, England. He is an accomplished clinician, conductor and songwriter and is also a Member the American Guild of Organists and a Member the Association of Anglican Musicians.