Changing Combinations; AROUND THE DIOCESE.

Colin Gough reports on a modern parish problem...

BOTH an autumn and a spring have passed since John, our organist who served us faithfully for nearly 30 years, indicated that he needed a rest. He gave us a generous three months notice - plenty of time to draw up a description of Stannington's understanding of where and how we think that music can contribute to our worship and common life. After all we thought, we have a perfectly acceptable (and fairly recently rebuilt) two manual Nicholson Bros, organ, a choir of 14 adults representing three voices (with a fourth offered by the Vicar when required) and a small but beautifully balanced Music Group, growing in confidence with every month that passes!

So out went this job description to 30 individuals: people we know: people 'who might know someone'; to local High Schools, Music Departments, the Cathedral, the District Society of Organists and the 'Sage'. The silence that followed was positively deafening. Then I went off on sabbatical and in my absence, the churchwardens decided to advertise in the 'Journal'. Three adverts cost an awful lot. Two people contacted us but after visits indicated that the job as envisaged wasn't for them - though one of them has kindly helped us by covering one Sunday morning each month. In the meantime, John 'retired' and with the help of friends, we have never been without an organist or pianist for a service that required one. The Music Group now plays one Sunday each month. Our problem is not finding willing and competent occasional musicians, but finding someone who will commit themselves to playing most weeks of the vear /with reasonable holidays of course) and who will also work regularly to train the choir and help them play their proper role. So - 'thinking outside the box' - can we find someone who will work with the Choir and play often enough on Sundays to make that feasible? We've costed it and offered such a post at RSCM rates - but again no luck so far! It can't be the Organ: none other than Peter Wright, President of the Royal College of Organists and of Southwark Cathedral gave a recital on it last month at our Northumbrian Festival and proved it capable of real colour!

So is there someone reading this, who understands music's role in helping God and us to come closer, who would like to work with us at St Mary's Stannington? We would love to hear from you! Contact Canon Colin Gough on 01670 789122 or email [e-mail].