Northampton is situated in the Church of England’s Diocese of
Peterborough, and yet this was our first occasion singing Choral
Evensong at Peterborough Cathedral, though a number of our members
did sing as part of a massed choir Choral Evensong there back in
2016. This service was a special for one of our stalwart sopranos,
as during the service her son, The Revd Haydon Spenceley, was be
licensed to a new rôle in the Diocese of Peterborough. As Diocesan
Director of Ordinands Haydon he now oversees the discernment,
selection, and preparation of women and men for ordained public
ministry in the Church of England.
The canticles sung at the service were Henry Smart’s (1813-79)
dramatic Evening Service in Bb with its fanfare introduction,
and Preces and Responses by our own Musical Director, which
return to their home (they were commissioned for the 2016
Peterborough Diocesan Choral Festival). The anthem was new to the
choir, and is of a text especially fitting for Revd Haydon’s
licensing, Charles Wood’s (1866-1926) Expectans expectavi,
which sets these words:
This sanctuary of my
soul,
Unwitting I keep white and
whole,
Unlatched and lit, if Thou
should'st care
To enter or to tarry there.
With parted lips and
outstretch'd hands,
And listening ears Thy
servant stands.
Call Thou early, call Thou
late,
to Thy great service
dedicate.
My soul, keep white, and
whole.
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Programme:
Northampton Bach Choir
Organist - Ivan Linford
Conductor - Lee Dunleavy
Dunleavy - Preces and Responses
Psalm 68
Smart - Evening Service in Bb
Wood - Expectans expectavi |
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