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THE P RTAL
October 2016 Page 8
“ Vatican II is very clear on this . The liturgical and musical documents emphasise the importance of Gregorian chant and the treasury of church music . I believe there is a vast richness here that should be celebrated as a gift .
Jackie asked , “ Is it not also true to say that there are probably people in church just for the music ?” James responded , “ Yes I ’ m sure there are some . But I think they are as welcome in the church as those who come for the architecture or the sermon . The point is , they are coming to church , for whatever reason ! Who knows what they are going to get out of it ?”
James was born in Scotland . His parents were living and working in Scotland at the time . The family soon moved to Essex . He originally thought he was destined for a career in the Law . But he went to Cambridge as an Organ Scholar and read music . He got a job at Westminster Cathedral on graduation .
“ I hadn ’ t thought of going into church music , I ’ d been Organ Scholar at my college and I ’ d enjoyed that . When the position of Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral became vacant towards the end of my time at university , I thought I really should look at this because the opportunity to work in Roman Catholic Cathedral music with that kind of music foundation is so rare . It was a unique opportunity , and you either took it or you didn ’ t . I went for the job and was appointed .
“ Similarly , when I moved from Cathedral to Abbey it felt as though an opportunity had come along at a
Music and the Liturgy
... continued from page 5
Ordinariate Use ( but although settings for the BCP text have been composed in the last fifty years , they are less common ). Some settings within this wealth are more “ in accord with the spirit of the liturgy ” than others .
Composers , filled with the Christian spirit , should feel that their vocation is to cultivate sacred music and increase its store of treasures .
Let them produce compositions which have the qualities proper to genuine sacred music , not confining themselves to works which can be sung only by large choirs , but providing also for the needs of small choirs and for the active participation of the entire assembly of the faithful .
Perhaps the Ordinariate might encourage new good time . I wasn ’ t at all unhappy where I was – quite the contrary - but one has to look at rare opportunities as they arise . To cut a long story short I took a deep breath and I accepted the appointment at the Abbey . I ’ m really pleased I did because this has been a huge privilege and joy .
“ Often it ’ s very challenging of course . It ’ s a big responsibility . It has been a wonderful time in my life , just as my time at Westminster Cathedral was . Being the director of music in a place like this where the music is important does give one an opportunity to contribute to the place in quite a significant way . I think that ’ s a tremendous privilege and I hope that I ’ ve used that opportunity wisely and have made a positive contribution to the place . That ’ s certainly been my absolute intention all the time .
“ There have been countless things that I ’ ve been involved with here that have been so interesting and have made me draw on every bit of experience and training and all of the things that I have been doing up to now in my life . Also the support for the music here is and has always been superb .”
We are very grateful to James to find time in his busy life for this interview . We are also grateful for his frankness and openness about his life and work . With the interview over we headed for the Abbey Café and Afternoon Tea before staying on for Choral Evensong . This was , as you would expect , a wonderful experience of Christian worship .
Thank you James .
settings of its Use to be composed , explicitly following these principles ? Merbecke and Shaw are indeed “ treasures to be shared ,” but surely we can make new jewels , too .
[ 1 ]
Available in the original Italian on the Vatican website at http :// tinyurl . com / z16hbke and in an unofficial English translation by the Catholic Liturgical Library at http :// tinyurl . com / pek763f . English quotes here come from that translation .
[ 2 ]
Available in English on the Vatican website at http :// tinyurl . com / hy2av8e
[ 3 ]
Available in English on the Vatican website at http :// tinyurl . com / ay8y
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