Skip to content

Subscribe

  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Romsey Abbey logo
Primary Navigation Menu
Menu
  • Visiting the Abbey
    • Our treasures
    • Tours of Romsey Abbey
    • Educational visits
    • Concerts
    • Travel information
    • Other local attractions
    • A brief history
  • Worship with us
    • Our Services
    • Funerals
    • Weddings
    • Christenings/Baptisms
    • Music lists
    • Webcasts
  • Get involved
    • Groups and activities
      • Sunday School
      • Baby & Toddler Group
      • Womens’ Group
      • Mother’s Union
      • Servers
      • Friends of Romsey Abbey Music
      • Bell-ringers
      • Parish Environment Group
      • RA Technical Support
      • Mens’ Society
    • Friends of Romsey Abbey
  • News
    • Parish Magazine
    • Online calendars
    • Ethelflaeda Festival
    • Parish bulletin (PDF)
  • About
    • Who’s who
    • Abbey Development Project
    • Choirs
    • Organs
    • St. Swithun’s
    • Who we work with
    • Church Rooms hire
    • Policies and forms
    • Electoral roll
    • Jobs
    • Contact us
  • Donate
  • Safeguarding policy
  • Service Booking

Music-making in May

Building on a busy Easter last month, May is proving to be a musical and rewarding month. On Sunday 6 May, we paid our annual visit to Sherborne Abbey, where we sang a joint Choral Evensong with Sherborne Abbey Choir as part of the Abbey’s annual music festival. With music comprising Stanford in A, Balfour Gardiner’s Evening Hymn, the Rose Responses and Psalm 136, it was an exciting and joyful service. We enjoyed the tea laid on by Sherborne’s Womens Institute, too!

The Bring and Share LunchThe Bring and Share Lunch
Close
The Bring and Share Lunch
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Decorations around the fontDecorations around the font
Close
Decorations around the font
View at Picasa
 
Tim Sledge welcomes picnickers in the North ChurchyardTim Sledge welcomes picnickers in the North Churchyard
Close
Tim Sledge welcomes picnickers in the North Churchyard
View at Picasa
Let's hope it's not about to rain...Let's hope it's not about to rain...
Close
Let's hope it's not about to rain...
View at Picasa
The Diamond Jubilee GraceThe Diamond Jubilee Grace
Close
The Diamond Jubilee Grace
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Filling plates...Filling plates...
Close
Filling plates...
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
Simon Grant entertains...Simon Grant entertains...
Close
Simon Grant entertains...
View at Picasa
Dining in the NaveDining in the Nave
Close
Dining in the Nave
View at Picasa
Dining al frescoDining al fresco
Close
Dining al fresco
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Romsey Abbey Youth OrchestraRomsey Abbey Youth Orchestra
Close
Romsey Abbey Youth Orchestra
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Youth games organised by Neil SharmanYouth games organised by Neil Sharman
Close
Youth games organised by Neil Sharman
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
The sun even comes out for us!The sun even comes out for us!
Close
The sun even comes out for us!
View at Picasa
Watching the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the big screenWatching the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the big screen
Close
Watching the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the big screen
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
A mouth-watering afternoon teaA mouth-watering afternoon tea
Close
A mouth-watering afternoon tea
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Tea in full swing in the Church RoomsTea in full swing in the Church Rooms
Close
Tea in full swing in the Church Rooms
View at Picasa
 
Close
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
Tim Sledge introducing the patriotic songsTim Sledge introducing the patriotic songs
Close
Tim Sledge introducing the patriotic songs
View at Picasa
 
Tim Sledge conducting enthusiasticallyTim Sledge conducting enthusiastically
Close
Tim Sledge conducting enthusiastically
View at Picasa
Judging the Jubilee crown competitionJudging the Jubilee crown competition
Close
Judging the Jubilee crown competition
View at Picasa
Close
View at Picasa
 
The flag-waving grand finaleThe flag-waving grand finale
Close
The flag-waving grand finale
View at Picasa
 

Stanford in A received a repeat performance in Romsey a week later, partnered by Patrick Hadley’s evocative setting of the Song of Solomon, My Belovèd Spake. We concluded this Rogationtide Evensong by processing down to what the Vicar called the most blessed field in Romsey, where he offered prayers for a fruitful harvest. A small herd of timid young cattle in the field stole the show, however, being by turns curious about and frightened of the strange gathering of people on the other side of the gate!

Last Thursday was the Feast of the Ascension, for which we sang Francis Jackson’s festive Communion Service in G and Gerald Finzi’s anthem God is gone up, a setting of verses by Edward Taylor in which rousing fanfare-like outer sections frame a tranquil evocation of music in Heaven.

Most recently, yesterday was the Abbey’s celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Book  of Common Prayer. All services were said and sung according to its rites – a novel experience for the boys in the choir and an opportunity for rediscovery enjoyed by older members of the sizeable congregation. We sang Purcell and Tallis at the 10am Holy Communion and, for a special Choral Mattins at 11.30am, gave a rousing account of the Howells Collegium Regale Morning Service. The girl choristers joined us in the evening for more Purcell and our first time singing the Nunc Dimittis from Pelham Humfrey’s rarely heard Evening Service in E minor.

There will be more to come in June – not least celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – and then on 14 July we stage a concert as part of Music in Romsey’s annual season, building towards our visit to Gloucester Cathedral in late August.

2012-05-23
On 23 May 2012

News by category

  • Children (27)
  • Choir news (234)
  • Concert (153)
  • Events (425)
  • Fund-raising (352)
  • Music lists (220)
  • Notices (1,089)
  • Services (280)
  • Uncategorized (5)

News by year

  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000

News

  • Parish Magazine
  • Online calendars

Popular links

  • Weekly bulletin (PDF)
  • Online calendars
  • Parish diary (PDF)
  • APCM papers (PDF)
  • Annual Report & Accounts
  • Livestreamed  Services
  • Apply to join the Electoral Roll
  • Electoral Roll form (PDF for printing)
  • Electoral Roll, September 2020
  • Electoral Roll Certificate
  • Wedding banns application –
    getting married elsewhere
    (PDF)
  • Donate
  • Romsey Abbey and Music in Romsey Abbey COVID (PDF)

Recent Posts

  • Lunchtime Recitals 2021
  • Harvest Thanksgiving 2020
  • Abbey Vine resumes
  • Booking for Sunday AM services
  • Creativity in captivity

Romsey Abbey Parish Office
Church Lane
ROMSEY
Hampshire
SO51 8EP

Phone 01794 513125

Contact us

©The Parish of Romsey 2002-17 | Registered charity no. 1133189
Terms of use | Help | Contact us