Here comes the snow.. maybe...

With the first "Winter Storm" apparently approaching Chicago, newspapers have been running articles on safe winter driving. These contain smart items like changing windshields, checking fluids, having a winter kit, etc. I felt this list lacking so, with my experience of "Up North" driving, I offer my humble suggestions for safe winter driving:

1. SLOW DOWN

2. Leave earlier and take it easy

3. SLOW DOWN

4. Be more observant for those who do not follow rules 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10. Avoid distractions during snow/ice such as - cell phones.

5. Slow down

6. Be prepared for unexpected ice/snow, even more around intersections.

7. Take it easy at intersections, be prepared for someone to have trouble stopping.

8. Slow down

9. 4-wheel drive is not a "you can still go fast" device. It will help start moving and keep some control at reasonable speeds and going up hills. It is useless on ice, you will slide.

10. Anti-lock breaks work best with a slower, steady depressing which requires more time, thus - SLOW DOWN.

I think that covers it.

Get off my Bach...

A wisdom tooth infections has laid me low for about a week, necessitating a switch in organ music for the First Sunday of Advent, since I have lost a valuable practice week. So now organ/choral music for that Sunday looks as such:

Prelude: "Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland" - J.S. Bach

Offertory Anthem: "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" ("Sleepers Awake, the Voice is Calling"), 4th movement of Cantata #140 (we are using the chorale also, sorry, in English, lack of time, lost rehearsal, Messiah Sing-a-long prep and others prevent the director from teaching the German this time) - J.S. Bach

Postlude: "Herr Christ, Der Ein'ge Gottes Sohn" - J.S. Bach

Of course, my standard answer too any complaints of "all the same style" would be "Get off my Bach," not that anybody ever comments about style of postlude and preludes. I was asked last week to start including dates - a parishioner asked later about the dates for Couperin.

I am not found of all one composer days, but in this case, the OrgelBuchlein is too good to resist not using (plus - I am better prepared, thus the last minute switch). I had intended originally to use Wachet Auf as an organ prelude but switched when I decided it was more useful with the choir that Sunday (not to mention, it allows for using the hymn/chorale which some congregations have difficulty with).

Lets hope for a good Christ the King Sunday, which is also the Interim's final Sunday. I am praying to make it through, not having played since last Sunday, nor have I eaten solid food (well save for some Gerbers and yogurt) since Monday. No coffee since Monday either - this is Saturday. I am feeling better though.

Running behind - music list

I know, I know - I have been very negligent of this blog. So, in order to announce my continued existance, here is a quick list of some music we being sung at St. Lawrence Episcopal in Libertyville.

10-1-06
Anthem: The heavens declare thy glory, William Selby
Prelude: Prélude modal, Jean Langlais
Postlude: Psalm 19, Benedetto Marcello

10-8-06
Anthem: All Good Gifts , Natalie Sleeth
Preludes: Rendez A’ Dieu , Stanley Vann
Prelude on Hyfrydol , Charles Ore
Postlude : Prelude and Fugue in B-flat, Fomerly attr. – J.S. Bach

10-15-06
Anthem: O How Amiable , Ralph Vaghan-Williams
Preludes: Meditation from “24 Piéces en style libre”, Louis Vierne
Unde Et Memores , Quentin Thoms
Postlude: When Morning Gilds the Skies, Dale Wood

10-22-06
Visiting choir - St. Gregory's Boychoir
Preludes: Prelude on Munich , René Frank
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, Greorg Böhm
Postlude: When in Our Music God is Glorified, Charles Ore

10-29-06
Anthem: Simple Gifts/Pachebel's Canon, Donald Moore
Prelude: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, J.S. Bach
Postlude: Toccata in F Major, Dietrich Buxtehude

11-1-06, All Faithful Departed
Prelude: Requiem Aeternam, Gerald Near
Postlude: O Wie Selig, Johannes Brahms
Other music to contain
Requiem Aeternam - Missa Pro Defunctis
Service music (Sanctus and Agnus Dei) - Merebeck
Tract - Confitemini...hareditate tua - plainsong tone VIII.3 (english)
Communion Antiphon - Lux aeterna - chant, Mode I (in english)
Hymn 355 - Give rest o Christ

11-5-06 , Feast of All Saints - Sunday
Anthem: The Souls of the Righteous, Stanley Marchant
Prelude: Prelude and Fugue in e minor, BWV 555, formally attr. to Bach
Postlude: Trumpet Tune in D, David Johnson
Psalm: Responorial/Anglican Chant - Refrain: Whaley, Chant: Henry Smart
(note, prior to this we were using Simplified Anglican Chant)

11-12-06
Anthem: Happy Land, Leonard Breedlove ed. Whaley (Southern Harmony)
Psalms for November are from the Portland Psalter, Robert Hawthorne

11-19-06
Anthem: My Lord, What a Morning, Spiritual

11-26-06 - Christ the King
Anthem: The Lord Bless you and Keep You - Peter Lutkin
(Interim Rector's last service)