If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for someone who already loves Anglican choral music, or, perhaps, for someone who has been to Evensong a few times and would like to know more, Tim Popple’s book could well be your answer. Deftly navigating the line between delivering in-jokes to the initiated and clear explanations to the – as yet – less well-informed, the author (a lay clerk himself) takes us through a service of Choral Evensong from the Introit to the Organ Voluntary.
Along the way he draws on his own experiences since being a chorister and his wide-ranging knowledge of both the choral landscape and repertoire to explain many of the traditions, peculiarities and personalities within this ‘world of music and choirs, which, with tradition, peace and tranquillity, bring friendship, excitement and eternal joy.’
What comes across most strongly is Tim’s infectious enthusiasm for the choral tradition and a sincere wish that more people would visit their local cathedral at about 5:30pm after a tough day at work and experience for themselves the peace and beauty of Evensong. Of special interest to us at the CSA is the compelling account he gives of what it means to be a chorister, and how it differs from other ‘extracurricular activities’.
‘Being a chorister is different…one does not “do singing”; one is a chorister. It is not something you do, it is something you are… for those who go on to find their career in music, it will become a defining factor of their life. For those who do not pursue a musical career, all the other skills learned as a chorister – teamwork, dedication, timekeeping, reading, social interaction across diverse ages, responsibility, professionalism, and more – will come to bear in their chosen profession, regardless of what it is.’
However many times you have been to Evensong you will find something to inform, amuse or entertain you in this charming book – and the extensive bibliography will point you in the direction of further reading if you want to know more.
The book is available from www.quiresandplaces.com
