Page 29 - LOTN Spring Issue 49 2022

FAITH AND CULTURE

Life as a church musician

BY Dr SHELAGH NODEN

In this article we hear from Stephen Bradley, the organist at
St Francis of Assisi. Mannofield, about life as a church musician
and about his interest in rare hymnbooks.

he present church of St Francis was built in the
early 1980s during the oil boom, and a pipe
organ of one-manual plus pedals, built by the
Tlate Sandy Edmonstone, was installed. It was
later modified to its present specification of seven stops
(Trumpet 8’ Mixture 19:22 Principal 4’ Dulciana 8’ Victorian Church Choir, 1875. Illustration by Randolph
Fifteenth 2’ Stopped Diapason 8’ Open Diapason 8’) and a Caldecott for an 1875 edition of Old Christmas
swell box added. It was moved from beside the altar to the last hymn could be sung at other times than the month of May,
back of the church. A six-member schola is available to sing because it originally had optional alternative words, O Mary we
at the main Sunday Mass, said by the parish priest, Canon crown you with blossoms again, Queen of the angels and
Peter Barry. Queen without stain. Other favourites are Guardian Angel
Stephen described how he chooses appropriate music through [See below], Sweet Sacrament Divine and This is the image
lectio divina, a prayerful reading of the texts for the day, rather of our Queen. Stephen pointed out that this hymn originally
than relying on publications such as Liturgy Planner or Sunday included the lines, When waves of night around me roll, and
by Sunday. He certainly arrives at an eclectic choice of material. Hell is raging for my soul, do thou remember me. These have
Here is what the congregation at St Francis heard and sang on been removed from modern hymnals!
Ash Wednesday this year: All these hymns come from a selection of old hymnbooks
Entrance: Lord, who throughout these 40 days in Stephen’s possession, which include those produced by the
Psalm: Gelineau Miserere Sisters of Notre Dame. Older readers may be familiar with some
Gospel Acclamation: from a piece of paper handed down from of the contents of these volumes, such as two favourite hymns
previous organist, Ann Wottge for the Holy Souls, They are waiting for our petitions, and O
Distribution of ashes: Teresa Brown, From ashes to ashes
and Lucien Deiss, Grant to us, O Lord, a heart renewed
Holy holy: Elphinstone Mass by Ronald Leith, organist at St
Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen
Memorial Acclamation: Gregorian chant
Grand Amen: Elphinstone Mass
Our Father: Estelle White
Lamb of God: Fr Francis Duffy
Communion: Parce Domine, with Latin verses (plainchant)
Recessional: God of Mercy and Compassion.
Stephen admitted to a particular fondness for old Victorian
hymns, of which he has an encyclopaedic knowledge. These have
proved to be popular with many parishioners, who remember
singing these well-loved hymns during their schooldays.
Examples include I’ll sing a hymn to Mary (originally with "Guardian Angel" by a Sister of Notre Dame, following a
seven verses) O Godhead hid, Bring Flowers of the fairest request by Father C. Faber, a composer of hymns in his own
(also originally with seven verses). Stephen pointed out that this right.
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