With angels and archangels........

Sunday, August 31 found us in church (me at both 9:00 and 11:15). During the summer months the Trinity Choir is usually reduced to a double quartet - but 8 of those people are up to almost any choral challenge. At the 9:00 they sang the Gloria and Sanctus/Benedictus from a double-chorus mass by John Taverner (the 16th century one) which was absolutely harrowing from the standpoint both of musical complexity and vocal difficulty. The eight singers did a masterful job (at 9:00 in the morning!). At the offertory they sang "O Thou the Central Orb" by Charles Wood, a pleasant piece with an unhandy organ accompaniment. During communion they sang one of my very favorite motets, "Hear my prayer, O Lord" by Henry Purcell, again in eight parts. A stunning job in a luminous acoustic! We always reserve the use of that piece to Lent, but I shall have to re-think that! At the 11:15 (at which Peggy joined me) they sang all of the above (except the Taverner) and the Purcell was even better! There was a baptism of the granddaughter of another one of UNC's and C of C's own - Bishop Clifton Daniels from the Diocese of East Carolina. We had a nice visit with him and his family. More kudos about Molly and intense farewell with the Rev. Lonell Wright from All Souls, New Orleans.