Whirlygigdom

Good news from my Wooster classmate Barry Coleman, who is working on a new Holy Week anthem for my choir.

Concerns about the character of In the shadow of the kindly Star can be addressed in part, I think, by modification of the pitch-world (mostly the violin) . . . and I think that a fine idea, on its own merits.

A bit of a whirl, thinking of what to have the choir sing these coming two Sundays. It was suggested to push Lord of the Dance out a week; but the lively character of the piece is at odds with the memorial aspect of the 2 November service. What is more, the handbell choir will certainly be ready to ring the piece for the 26^th. Clearly (meseems) the thing to do is, just teach the choir the piece in quick order.  The tune is familiar, the arrangement is not difficult: we can do this.

For this Sunday coming, I think an easy refresh of our "in-house" arrangement of I Want Jesus to Walk With Me will answer. This, then, is just the occasion to formalize the arrangement with a Sibelius file. My mission this week, then, is chopping this out, and also to get In the shadow of the kindly Star in good shape . . . although, with the "rush" to bring Lord of the Dance to order, I suppose that getting the kindly Star on the handbell ringers' stands on Sunday the 26^th should be soon enough.