Historically, Wigan had a ‘cathedral’ style choir of boys and men, and it’s reputation spread far and wide. It was probably Sir Edward Bairstow who lifted the standard of music from enthusiastic, to that of any cathedral choir in the country at the time. He was known as a hard taskmaster and didn’t make apologies for his bluntness when expecting people to work hard. His reputation as a composer was also developing as the musical life here climbed to greater heights; Wigan was always going to be a stepping-stone onto his eventual home of York Minster. Following Bairstow, a string of famous musicians held the post (following recommendation from people such as Sydney Nicholson) and then went onto cathedral jobs elsewhere.

However, by the 1970’s, church attendance was beginning to decline which was reflected by challenges in recruiting boys for choirs. The 1990’s saw the choir recruitment falter completely and the inevitable end of a male only choir at Wigan. After some stuttering starts, we now have a choir again, and although only 1 or 2 voices per part, still manager to contribute a full musical life to the church. We would like to do more, but for that we need more voices: if you have a good ear and have a basic ability to read music (which is especially important if singing alto, tenor or bass) and have a good ear then come along to choir practice and give it a go. We meet before evensong every Sunday at 5.30pm to practice the music for the week ahead. In the run-up to major feasts such as Easter, Christmas and Advent we have the occasional additional practice to practice the additional music.

Music has been an integral part of worship in churches for millennia, and now it comes in many forms. Drums and guitars, organs and choirs, folk groups, orchestras, and everything in between. St Augustine of Hippo said that he who sings [once] prays twice. Music communicates to people in many different ways: it transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, and expresses meaning that words often fail to convey. Much sacred music is inextricably inspired by the words and the words are often conveyed by the music. When he was composing, the greatest musician produced by England, William Byrd, said that (and I’m paraphrasing here) one merely has to ponder on the words and the music simply flows from the words. And that, ie the words or liturgical theme of the day, is our starting point when we meet to discuss the music for the weeks ahead. We are mindful of course, that it is not always easy to hear exactly what is being sung (especially if it is in Latin), and as listening is playing an active part in music-making, we will attempt to publish in the parish magazine the words of the music for that particular month. We hope that this will be an aid to worship as the music is sung.

May 2nd 2010
Mass
Sacerdos Domini incensum et panes offerunt Deo: et ideo sancti erunt Deo suo
(William Byrd 1535/40-1623)
Translation: Then did priests make offering of incense and loaves of finest wheat to God and therefore shall they be holy to their Lord and shall not defile his most holy name. Alleluia.

Evensong
Lord, I trust thee, I adore thee! Ah, thou friend of man, restore me!On thy loving grace relying, For the bread of life I'm sighing. Quench my thirst and let my hunger cease, Fill my heart with joy and endless peace. When the breath of life has left me, May my soul be blended with thee.
(George Frederick Handel 1685-1759)

May 9th 2010
Mass
Of the glorious body telling, o my tongue it’s mysteries sing. Given for us proceeding forth, human form he deigns in love to take, He is God with us, Emmanuel: By his death atonement he doth make, gives himself for sinners sake.
(Thomas Luis de Victoria c1548-1611)

Evensong
O come, ye servants of the Lord, and praise His holy name. From early morn to setting sun, His might on earth proclaim. His laws are just, and glad the heart: He makes His mercies known. Ye princes come, ye people too, and bow before His throne
(Christopher Tye c1505-72)

May 16
Mass
As evensong above

Whit Sunday May 23
Mass.
Come down, O love divine, seek Thou this soul of mine, And visit it with Thine own ardor glowing. O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn, til earthly passions turn To dust and ashes in its heat consuming; And let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight, And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity mine outward vesture be, And lowliness become mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part, And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, Shall far outpass the power of human telling; For none can guess its grace, till he become the place Wherein the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling.
(William Harris 1883-1973)

Evensong
O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, and lighten our understanding, that we may dwell in the fear of thy Name, all the days of our life, that we may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent
(Thomas Tallis 1505-85)

Trinity Sunday May 30 2010
Mass & Evensong
Blessed angel spirits offer praise undying, Ever crying Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth. Saints and Martyrs praise thy Name, Trinity lifegiving, Earthborne sorrow leaving before Thy throne, Evercrying Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. Father omnipotent, mighty in glory, Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour who died that we might live, Holy Spirit, mystic dove, dwelling with us ever more, We praise Thee, Blessed Trinity. With the Angels' sacred hymn, All thy might proclaiming, With the mystic cherubim in songs of praise we join, Holy, Holy, Holy, Join we all in songs of praise for ever; Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Lord God of Sabaoth.
(Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840-93)