Tom Moore giving me his best Stevie Wonder impersonation. It was a mistake to leave my sunglasses on top of the organ for a few minutes, or was it?
I had a great day in Harrogate yesterday. The weather was most favourable and I like going to Harrogate - I inevitably see a red kite or twenty punctuating the heavens around Harewood. Their rufous enormity and forked tail makes their appearance unmistakeable and their strong Welsh connection means they're a comforting sight for me here in Yorkshire. As I enjoyed my drive through the lush countryside I had a thought that filled me with dread - I'd forgotten the organ was very flat, probably lower than A336. If you're a non musician, this just means I have to retune my harp which I keep at A441. It takes a while for my harp to settle, and again as I tune it upwards after the concert. The lower pitch makes everything feel and sound a bit depressing and the singers struggle too. As I got into the church I spotted my mate Tom. I've worked with him a few times and he's a pretty cool bloke, a bit quirky. He's the kind of guy I can walk up to and tell him to stop fiddling with his organ. To my relief, he was making friends with the hired organ, so no tuning issues. Like me, Tom has specific shoes for negotiating all his pedals. He's Director of Music at Wakefield Cathedral and we've played Chichester Psalms there before with the same choral conductor, the lovely colourful Andrew Padmore. As well as being a bit of a whizz kid on the old keys, Tom always wheels out a pretty spectacular short solo that shows off his prowess and last night was no exception. He wowed us with a quirky piece by Charles Ives in keeping with the American theme of the concert as well as his personality. Alongside his organ duties Tom is a great educator and he was responsible for training the chorister who featured in the second movement of the Bernstein last night. I always look forward to this stunning spiritual movement and I wasn't disappointed listening to Charlie last night. A shy red head, the silence was spectacular as he sang with the purest of voices and our reaction as he humbly and innocently accepted his acknowledgement made him blush! Gorgeous! The choir were on top form as was Andrew, and he always makes me chuckle with his selection of themed waistcoats. Imagine my glee when I spotted harps on the one he wore for the first half of the concert!
The drive home was blissfully quiet and pensive and the golden fiery sunset was a blessing, as was the solitary lapwing bidding me farewell as I took my leave of Harrogate. Yesterday felt like a short day and I was lucky to be home by 10 and get a head start on preparation for today and tomorrow's exciting events. Brides - come and see and hear me and have a chat at the Holiday Inn in Garforth! I'm looking forward to seeing those lovely blokes Allan and Grant from Wedding Fayres Yorkshire as well as meeting some talented suppliers. It's great to be busy again and I'm feeling good-tired, and despite two catnaps in my car in my long break yesterday I'm looking forward to some serious chill and duvet time on Wednesday...
The beautiful setting at St Wilfrid's
Maybe the organ Tom was meant to be playing?
The peaceful hall where I did my brief Pilates session - look at the geometric detail in that ceiling
Beautiful roses for playing
