Thank you, and good night

 

WestWord Article, May 2010

Dear friends,

When I applied for the post of organist of this wonderful church, I was not told that writing for the church magazine was part of my job description. The majority of my contributions have been what I have described to Yvonne and Celia as “the usual mince” – a short article in which I thanked you all for turning up to one event or another and in which I informed you all about a future event which I hoped you would attend. However, as this is my last article for WestWord, I have binned the “usual mince” template and have started with a blank sheet of paper. So please, for one last time, bear with me...

At the end of a summer, five years ago now,
A boy sent an email to the ministers of this town.
A job as an organist was all that he was after,
Preferably in a church where there was a chance of some laughter.

So to the Great Western he went in his best Sunday suit,
With his cousin by his side to oversee this pursuit.
Welcomed by Verna and sent up the stairs,
They bumped into Douglas who was deep in his prayers.

The interview was held following an anthem by Rutter,
“Have you applied elsewhere” asked they, but the boy wouldn't answer.
It soon became apparent they were each other's only chance,
He was given the job, and Duncan returned to the manse.

And so the boy from down south became master of the choir,
Everyone doing what he said was all he'd require.
But that never happened, it was apparent from his first day,
Margaret Bille was the boss, not he, no way.

And so the Thursdays got off to a slight rocky start,
“Last verse to be sung in unison? I want to sing in parts!”
Said Parky from the back left, this complaint he did impart,
“It wasn't my decision” the boy said, “It was Margaret's, hand on heart!”

But It soon became clear that they all must work together,
As t'was Duncan who was the enemy, and at the end of his tether.
“Stop complaining about the hymns” said D, “my choices are just lovely!”,
“We'll agree to disagree” replied the boy, really rather curtly.

A few months passed and things started to look positive,
For it was Christmas, there were Mince Pies, everyone was getting festive.
The concert was a success and ended with applause,
£230 for CHAS, it mattered not about the flaws.

But enough of this time line, it's not important compared to this,
To tell you about the people – all of whom the boy will miss.

Mrs Bille has been mentioned, but something further need be said:
She has the voice of an angel, but her chatting hurts your head!

And then there's Verna Ward, who's enthusiasm knows no bounds,
He r time-keeping on the other hand never fails to astound.
But what of quiet George, stalwart of the section Bass,
Talented, reliable, someone whom we could not replace.

And so to Rev. Hugh, Hamish Mitchell and Mr G,
The tenors in the choir are a big part of this family.
They try their hardest to attend, when they are not out bowling,
But when they sing, and their timing's right, they leave everybody smiling.

But what of Mrs Risk, an alto through and through,
Last to arrive, last to leave, but brings sweets for us to chew.
And then there's Mr Kelman, whose sound is deep and rich,
He's the only one amongst them all who can say he's got perfect pitch!

Yvonne is in the sopranos and there is only one complaint,
She leaves music all over the organ bench – organised, she ain't!
Celia, Joyce and Irene are welcomed by the rest,
They show the boy how it's done and put his skills to test.

And not forgetting Sheila Smith, who sings in Lyric, too
She is our party organiser, a student through and through.
So on to Penny Mutch we go, with her sense of fun and laughter,
Who remembers her Christmas antlers? She brings the festive factor.

And last of all we come to Rachel, the latest new soprano,
With her opinions on dear Kenneth Leighton, she fits right in, Bravo!

So for five short years these great singers and the boy,
Attempted to make music for the people to enjoy.
From Bach, to Rutter and quickly Bach again,
The five years were done, thank God, hip-hip hurray! Amen!

But it's only the boy who leaves from there, the singers must remain,
For the Holburn West Church Choir is something to sustain.
The quality of the singing is something very special indeed,
There is a Royal patron, for goodness sake, no wonder they did succeed!

And when the boy looks back on his five short years at Aberdeen's Holburn West,
He will remember only the times of good and forget about all the rest.
The concerts, the Thursdays, and all the Sundays, too,
Made more special by the people, yes, you and you and you.

And as the boy leaves this city in which the days he had were best,
The one thing left he has to say is FLOREAT HOLBURN WEST.


I think that's enough of the rhyming. I'm not sure if I have succeeded in staying away from the “mince” but I suppose it's something a bit different! Let me end this on a slightly more serious note.

By the time this article goes to press, the Spring Concert will have been and passed. So, I guess it would be breaking with tradition if I did not thank you, in advance, for attending the concert, supporting the choir and for donating to Marie Curie/Cancer Research. Your support is greatly appreciated and I know that you will continue to support the choir when its new leader is appointed.

I'm writing with mixed emotions at the moment – excited for what's to come, sad to be leaving everyone here and grateful for what has been already. But let me sum up: the past five years have been wonderful. I will never be able to repay everyone in this church for the overwhelming kindness and generosity which they have shown to me from my first day until my last. I have enjoyed every single aspect of this job and have adored working with this choir.

And forgive me, but allow me to tell you this: Holburn West Church is in the unique and fortunate position of being able to have a 4 part choir with members turning up for rehearsals week in and week out, and to have a Minister who lets the choir perform. Please, above all, cherish this. If at any point in the future a decision has to be made about which forms of worship are worth retaining or the most cost effective, be it from CD recordings or PowerPoint presentations or youtube footage of an organist, a 4 part choir wins every time. Be proud of the choir and be proud of this Church because, as someone who is now looking for musical work, I don't think I'll find another place quite like this one.

I will continue to follow the endeavours, both musical and otherwise, of this Church for the rest of my years and without meaning to plagiarise further the abdication speech of Edward VIII, should I ever be in a position to assist the Minister or the choir, I hope that they know I will never let them down.

I pray that music continues to flourish in this magnificent church.

It's been a pleasure.

Yours aye,

Dominic Scullion
Former Director of Music

“The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. The motions of his spirit are dull as night, and his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted.”

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice