The CEO of the Cathedral Music Trust is visiting 100 choirs across England and Wales over 50 days of cycling Meg Elliot writing in Cycling Weekly The late afternoon light is falling in greens and oranges and reds on the cathedral's terracotta floor. People clutter the pews as the music starts up, complex, layered sound... Continue Reading →
[Ken Gray] I crossed paths with Jay Koyle a few times over the years, initially at the Anglican Sorrento Centre in the BC interior. He was affable, intelligent, musical, spiritual, and a lot of fun. He was one of the good ones I would say. Rest in Peace faithful Christian leader. A song he taught... Continue Reading →
During my recent trip to Victoria caught up with my longtime friend, Curt Bergen. Curt and I have known each other for most of our adult lives. We first met while organ students of Ed Norman in the 1970s in Victoria. We met at an organ concert at the downtown St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church though... Continue Reading →
BBC Symphony to premiere controversial Requiem for America Norman Lebrecht on SlippedDisk - February 12, 2026 The world premiere of Requiem for America will be given by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on May 17 in London, followed by a US premiere in Boston, it was announced today. The work, by Brent Michael Davids,... Continue Reading →
A few days late, but a great history from Matthew Larkin, with thanks And today, I’m thinking of this guy, who died 150 years ago this date (January 22). John Bacchus Dykes: priest, organist, composer, tractarian: a composer of well over 250 hymn tunes, and an avid and determined ritualist who stood tall against his... Continue Reading →
Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Penticton Herald [Keith Lacey] Several of the region’s most accomplished jazz musicians have once again teamed up to release a new recording featuring their favourite vocal jazz compositions. The Crawford/Crossley Group has been performing and recording together since 2015. At the heart of the ensemble’s work are... Continue Reading →
A reflection from December 16, 2019 by John Rutter [Ken Gray] It is now ten years since the death of Sir David Wilcocks, organist, conductor, composer/arranger, and college administrator. One of my great pleasures as a student at the Royal College of Music from 1977-1979 was singing in the RCM chorus which Sir David conducted ... Continue Reading →
It is indeed ages since I have read or heard this poem. A marvellous presentation by Louis Armstrong (Sachmo). Not sure of the piano accompanist but might have been Marian McPartland. Brilliant and sensitive playing. Other great seasonal links in the Youtube comments and description. Happy Christmas to all. https://youtu.be/cmt2TZWGoO8
More original fiction from your humble scribe “I know we’re not all here yet, but let’s start anyway,” Gladys announced. “The others will arrive soon, I hope.” Awkwardly spaced between uncomfortable pews, we gathered upstairs in the church sanctuary, an uncomfortable though convenient rehearsal space, huddled around the one-manual, four-stop pipe organ donated by someone,... Continue Reading →
It is hard to identify to which English carols Robert Herrick (1591-1674) refers in his nativity text, What Sweeter Music: What sweeter music can we bringThan a carol, for to singThe birth of this our heavenly King?Awake the voice! Awake the string! When children would reach for their stockingsAnd open the presents they foundThe lights... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 