OCTAG MAGAZINE. ELY CATHEDRAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL THE SKY S THE LIMIT Page 8. FOCUS ON RETIRING DIRECTOR OF MUSIC PAUL TREPTE Page 10

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1 FREE - Please take a copy OCTAG MAGAZINE N EDMUND ALDHOUSE APPOINTED NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Page 2 LENT, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER Page 6 Issue 7 - Spring 2019 ELY CATHEDRAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL THE SKY S THE LIMIT Page 8 FOCUS ON RETIRING DIRECTOR OF MUSIC PAUL TREPTE Page 10

2 Welcome from The Dean This quarter s Octagon Magazine covers the most important part of the Christian Year as we celebrate Lent, Holy Week and Easter - and the glorious fifty days of Eastertide culminating with the Feast of Pentecost. There is a great deal on offer for spiritual nourishment and refreshment during this period and I hope that you will take the opportunities provided for that - a gentle reminder that the Church of England teaches that all its members should receive Holy Communion on Easter Day if at all possible. The Festal Evensong on Easter Day will also be the occasion at which we bid farewell to our longstanding Director of Music Paul Trepte - I m sure there will be lots of people there to make that a memorable occasion. We also look forward to the Science Festival in May during which some very eminent people will be talking and engaging with us, and a wide variety of activities and events will happen. There is still a considerable amount of work to do for many to realise that science and religion are not opposing disciplines, rather they are complementary. To live life to the full which is God s calling for us; we need to hold all these things together. I look forward to seeing you at the Cathedral during these coming, exciting, months. Regular Service Times Sundays: 8.15am: Holy Communion 10.30am: Sung Eucharist 4pm: Evensong Daily Services: 7.30am: Morning Prayer 8am: Holy Communion 12.10pm: Holy Communion (Thursdays and Saints Days) 5.30pm: Evensong The Very Reverend Mark Bonney, Dean of Ely 2 Edmund Aldhouse Appointed Director of Music As most will know Chapter were very pleased to be able to announce at the end of the year that, after a full and extensive application and interview process, Edmund Aldhouse currently our Assistant Organist, will succeed Paul Trepte as Director of Music when the latter retires from that post on Easter Day. The Director of Music is a significant and important position within the Cathedral, and it s only the second time in the past sixty years that an appointment has been made - so it was important that it was thorough and we are delighted at the outcome. Paul has done tremendous work over the past 29 years and we are hugely grateful for all of that. Whether it s the Easter Day Sung Eucharist with Orchestra and a cast of thousands. or a midweek evensong with more in the choir than the congregation, Paul and all our musicians, always give of their best to the glory of God. Being Director means that Edmund won t play the organ quite so often, and we will miss his skilful improvising, but we hope there will be other opportunities to hear his keyboard skills. New Safeguarding Handbook and Safeguarding Audit Volunteers and staff should have received a new Safeguarding Handbook which is also available on the Cathedral website Safeguarding page. In anticipation of a Safeguarding Audit in June much work is being done across the Cathedral to ensure our policies and practice is robust in this regard. Please do all that you can to make the Cathedral a safe and welcoming place for all. Loving God, we pray that this Cathedral church may be a place of welcome, security and compassion. Keep us watchful yet caring, trusting yet ready to question, that all who worship here may do so in safety and in the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3 New Chapter Members Revd Tom Buchanan Revd Alison Myers Revd Dr Jeremy Morris Monsignor Mark Langham After nine years on Chapter we bade farewell to Canon Hugh Shilson-Thomas as one of our non-resident Chapter members. Hugh is Chaplain and Dean of Selwyn College and has served Chapter extremely well, not least in being the Chapter link with the Education Department and chairing the Education Trust until recently. We are very pleased that the Bishop has appointed the Revd Tom Buchanan to replace Hugh. Tom is a Self-Supporting Minister based in Cambridge who runs his own company Paternoster Communications. He brings a wealth of experience in communications and crisis management - we hope that the latter will not be needed, but you never know! Tom was installed as a Canon on 25 February alongside three other new Canons, the Revd Alison Myers (Rector of the Lordsbridge Team and Chair of the Diocesan House of Clergy), the Revd Dr Jeremy Morris (Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge) and Monsignor Mark Langham (Chaplain of Fisher House, Cambridge - appointed an Etheldreda Canon - one of three ecumenical Canons). We look forward to them all playing a full part in the life of the Cathedral. The Community Choir sings again! Back by ever-increasing popular demand, the Community Choir will pop-up again to sing at major events in the Spring: An Audience with Paul Trepte on 14 March and The Science Festival Nights at the Cathedral on 20 and 29 May. We now regularly number about 50 singers so you can enjoy the experience of singing in a friendly and confident choir. The only audition for this choir is that you SMILE! No previous singing experience necessary. Everybody welcome! See back page for times of rehearsals. ECO Church! Ely Cathedral Environment Group, began life with the simple act of litter picking on the first Saturday of the month around Ely. There have always been between 8-18 volunteers who have set out in all weathers to keep Ely tidy. The Group will begin working towards becoming an Eco-Church in the coming year so please support them in this endeavour and do come along to meetings if you can. The formal launch of the Cathedral Environment Group and our work towards the Eco-Church Award, will take place on Wednesday 3 April, at 6.15pm with guest speaker Jonathan Chaplin. Advent Sleep-Out A team from Ely Cathedral chose one of the worst nights in December to raise money for charities working with homeless people across the country. The team of six people and two dogs raised 3, for the Church Urban Fund s Advent Sleep-out. Thank you to everyone who helped raise this phenomenal amount on behalf of the Cathedral Community. Canon Jessica Martin, Canon Victoria Johnson and new Chapter member Canon Tom Buchanan were joined by Lesley-Ann Thompson, Tabitha Thompson, Theodora Spufford, Gonzo and Percy (Canines in Residence). K9 Café The K9 Café is just what it sounds like - a space for people and their dogs to meet. Chris Kent, its organiser, runs the café as a weekly drop-in at the Cathedral Centre with a team of volunteers. It s for people who have dogs to come and socialise with other dog-owners, but it s also somewhere for people to come and enjoy the dogs company who don t have one at home, or who could simply do with being around other people and their pets for a while. Canon Jessica went along with her dog Gonzo on 13 December to meet everyone, and was welcomed very warmly. Gonzo was very new to his post as Canine in Residence but soon overcame his shyness as he was patted, stroked and greeted by so many kind people. 3

4 ELY CATHEDRAL FLOWER GUILD An update from retiring Chair Judy Wynn What will I and my fellow guild committee who are retiring miss? Flower Festivals In the Beginning in 2013 and the recent Kaleidoscope of Life, when we were augmented by the East of England Area of NAFAS Flower Clubs to produce such memorable events. We will miss the early morning and late night visits to check and water, a simple but necessary part of our job, with the opportunity we have had of seeing the Cathedral in all weathers, different light and different moods, usually quiet and prayerful, as we creep about doing our behind the scenes job. We will miss the camaraderie of organising deliveries with our suppliers, the friendship with our fellow members and the fascinating conversations we have with visitors whilst we are arranging. We will miss the creative fulfilment when with the help of nature we achieve a splendid design, admired and enjoyed by many. I have always preached that the flower arrangements we produce are designed to enhance our already so beautiful Cathedral - and that we are bringing God s world of creation into the building, adding new life to the stone and decorations which have been there for, in many cases, hundreds of years. All we produce is for the glory of God, as are the many services, events and activities that we accompany. We took over this this enjoyable, sometimes demanding, but always rewarding, job 8 years ago and during that time have organised flowers for many weddings, funerals, memorials and special events and occasions. We look back fondly upon spectacular Open University Weekend flowers, sparkling Christmas Fair designs, stunning extra arches for weddings, and Church Festivals. Easter, Harvest and Christmas are always popular, as Guild members delight in doing what we all love at these special seasons - this year particularly as we arranged flowers on Christmas Eve, surrounded by festive preparations. It is a great pleasure planning and choosing colours to suit the seasons and the event they are to enhance, and we were greatly stretched by the demands of our two 4 The job has been a great team effort, with Mary Foister as my support throughout, Marilyn Crossley as the coordinator of the many weddings, June Nash and Lenny Prigg assisting with their local knowledge and expertise. The Guild is so blessed to have the creativity of such talented and enthusiastic members, together with the support of local flower clubs, including Cambridge, City of Ely, Littleport, Burwell and the Wisbech Arrangers. We look forward to the future, with a difference, as the Guild is to be led by an enthusiastic and dedicated Team of Members and we wish them well. If you have some experience of arranging flowers you would be welcome as members of the Guild, where you will gain the knowledge of producing large designs, which give so much pleasure to all those who visit the Cathedral day by day. I suppose one memory will never leave me as I look back on so many special experiences - and that is of Roger Woolnough, co-flower Festival Designer and I, paddling in the river of water stretching down the nave, accompanied by the Dean and choirboys at the climax of a wonderful flower filled week - a highlight of a flower-filled life.

5 FEATURE The Almonry Restaurant A great deal has been happening behind the scenes at The Almonry Restaurant and in the Refectory Café. Our new catering manager, Adrian Scarlett, has settled in with ease and, along with the Almonry kitchen team, has started work on introducing new and enticing speciality menus. With an emphasis on Seasonally British, Adrian s ambition is to source as much locally produced or locally supplied food as possible. In addition to the ever popular selection of platters, soups, jacket potatoes and sandwiches, he is introducing some Kitchen Favourites such as Edis Sausages with Creamy Mash and Onion Gravy, Homemade Fishcakes with Poached Eggs served with a mustard sauce and a Cambridge Burnt Cream. Customers will find the daily specials board equally tempting with a choice irresistible hot dishes including Cambridgeshire Venison Sausages, a pastry topped Steak & Ale Pie or, our personal favourite, the eight-hour braised Ox Cheek served with a Thyme and Garlic sauce and seasonal root vegetables - Absolutely perfect winter fodder! All the food is made from scratch and freshly prepared in the kitchens on site. In addition to the mouth-watering selection of home-made cakes and scones, freshly baked by Gill every morning, The Almonry will also be introducing speciality cakes to satisfy the ever growing gluten free and vegan customers. 5 More recently a new brand of coffee and hot chocolate has been introduced in both the Almonry and Refectory. Coffee World is a Cambridge based coffee supplier who source all their Fairtrade beans from single source growers and work closely with the Rainforest Alliance. Both catering establishments are now serving their rich Aromatic blend which has been roasted at their site in Cambridge by the company s specialist Roastmaster. If you haven t already tried it, we strongly recommend you do. We are also very excited by the new technology that is now fully operational in both restaurants. Guest WiFi is available in all public areas and an newly installed till system enables staff to take customers orders on an electronic tablet which is sent direct to the kitchens. This will not only speed up the ordering process but also enable the staff to spend more time on the restaurant floor looking after the customers needs. This new system also operates in the garden so during the summer months alfresco dining can be fully embraced whilst making it easier to manage the outdoor space at peak times. Further ideas and opportunities under consideration include extending the outdoor seating areas to make the most of the Almonry s beautiful gardens plus the introduction of summer picnic hampers, ice cream and other seasonal treats, plus a Grab & Go take away service in the Refectory Café. Pictured: HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visit the Almonry. November 2018.

6 MUSIC AND WORSHIP Lent, Holy Week and Easter We are approaching the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday - 6 March - when there will be several services during the day with the making of the sign of the cross in ash on our foreheads to remind us of our mortality and encourage us to spend these 40 days in preparing ourselves, by more self-conscious reflection and selfrestraint to acknowledge our weaknesses and turn back to God. Traditionally we may restrict certain kinds of food and drink or practice other kinds of discipline like extra generosity in giving or service to others. The word Lent is a shortened form of an Old English word for spring, probably related to the same word from which we get length, as in the lengthening of daylight at this time of year. Other languages reveal different aspects of the season - the Latin and Greek words are based on the forty days from the beginning of the season until Easter. The word forty appears often in the Bible - 40 days of the flood that rained on Noah s ark, 40 years of the people of Israel wandering in the wilderness, 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert - and so on. In some middle European languages and in Russian the season is simply called the (great) Fast. The new Lent, Holy Week and Easter pamphlet is crammed full of special services and activities which help us to focus our thoughts and prayers in this great season. We are fortunate to welcome several eminent visiting preachers, including Bishop Rowan Williams; there are opportunities for reflecting in prayer through music and meditation, at the evocative night service of Compline, the Friday Eucharists with Lent lunch and so on. In conjunction with the Diocese s Setting God s people free programme there will be discussions of different aspects of the Way of Life and setting our faith in the context of Everyday God. God Every Day. There will again be the opportunity to meet for a Spiritual MOT to explore your own personal spiritual journey oneto-one with Cathedral clergy and those with expertise in this area. Canon Victoria Johnson will be our preacher in Holy Week, beginning with her first address at the Prelude to Holy Week service on Palm Sunday afternoon at 4pm - we wait with vigilance and preparedness for Christ. Vicky will be preaching throughout the week, on Maundy Thursday and the Evening Eucharist of the Last Supper with the washing of feet and on Good Friday at the Proclamation of the Cross. On Good Friday there is also the solemn liturgy of the Day when all are invited to venerate the Cross and a very powerful Choral Evensong with the singing of Crucifixus by Antonio Lotti. Good Friday also sees the Christians Together in Ely Walk of Witness through the city which finishes at the Cathedral with a brief act of worship and refreshments. There will be children s activities and worship that morning in the Cathedral from 10am to which all are invited. The Easter feast, our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is marked in dramatic fashion at the Easter Vigil on Easter Eve at 8pm with the Lighting of the Easter Fire and the ceremonies surrounding Baptism and Confirmation of new Christians. In the earliest days of the Church s life this was the time when all those who had been preparing were admitted for the first time to communion. On Easter Day morning the 10.30am service is an Orchestral Eucharist. Festal Evensong that afternoon at 4pm is the final service at which Paul Trepte will direct the choir after 29 years as Director of Music. There will be a reception in the Lady Chapel for the whole congregation, including those who have travelled to mark this special moment. Pick up a copy of our Lent, Holy Week and Easter pamphlet from the Cathedral or browse a copy on our website. 6

7 MUSIC AND WORSHIP Holy Week Services Monday 15 April 7.30pm Stations of the Cross. Tuesday 16 April 8pm Candlelit Choral Compline with Address by Canon Victoria Johnson. Wednesday 17 April 7.30pm A Sequence of Music and Readings. Music includes Lamentations Tallis and Jeremiae Paul Trepte. Maundy Thursday 10.30am Chrism Eucharist with the Blessing of Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows. 7.30pm Evening Eucharist of the Last Supper with washing of feet commemorating Jesus institution of the Eucharist and his command to love one another as I have loved you. Address given by Canon Victoria Johnson. This dramatic service concludes with the reading of Jesus arrest and imprisonment the night before his trial and the symbolic stripping of the altar as Psalm 22 is sung. A silent Watch of prayer then takes place. Good Friday Midday until c.1.15pm Preaching of the Cross - addresses given by Canon Victoria Johnson, with hymns and readings. 1.30pm - 3pm The Liturgy of the Day with the singing of the Passion Gospel by Victoria and the Veneration of the Cross in which all are invited to participate. 5.30pm Choral Evensong. A solemn act of worship for Good Friday. Holy Saturday 5.30pm Evensong sung to plainsong. 8pm Easter Vigil with Baptism and Confirmation with the Bishop presiding. The first celebration of Easter, with the Lighting of the Easter Fire, Paschal Candle and admission of new Christians to baptism and communion. This is a beautiful service at which we greet Easter in a dramatic and joyful way giving thanks for the faith that is within us. Easter Day 8.15am A quiet, said service of Holy Communion using the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer with a short address am Orchestral Eucharist with the Ely Sinfonia, Mozart s Coronation Mass and the ever popular Hallelujah chorus from Handel s The Messiah. The president and preacher will be The Bishop. 4pm Festal Evensong and Procession Music by C.V. Stanford, Paul Trepte and Herbert Howells Te Deum (Collegium Regale) concludes our Easter Day celebrations. As Paul Trepte prepares to step down as Director of Music on Easter Sunday, a number of special events mark this momentous juncture in the Cathedral s life. The first event in the calendar is an Audience with Paul Trepte on Thursday 14 March. This offers a relaxed and convivial forum for the outgoing Director of Music to reflect on his life and work at Ely. Admission is 5, including wine and canapés. Proceeds to the Choir Tour Fund. Hosted by Canon Victoria Johnson, the evening comprises musical contributions from the Community Choir, Lower voices and King s Barbers. Worthy of note is Paul s final organ recital in this post at 7pm on Monday 8 April. It was under his leadership that the Cathedral Organ was restored at the beginning of the millennium, ensuring that it is still widely regarded as one of the country s finest. Admission is free. Paul promises a varied and entertaining programme. Paul s compositional output is prolific, and Holy Week in particular sees performances of several of his works. These include Jeremiae on Wednesday 17 April, which takes as its inspiration the Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah and a new setting of the St Luke Passion, heard for the first time at the 10.30am Sung Eucharist on Palm Sunday. There could scarcely be a more fitting time than Easter Sunday to conclude a career at Ely Cathedral and the services on that day reflect many of Paul s influences and passions. The Festal Eucharist at 10.30am is enhanced by orchestral accompaniment from Ely Sinfonia. Evensong on Easter Sunday concludes with the Te Deum written for King s College, Cambridge by Herbert Howells, not only one of the most influential church composers of the last century, but also Paul s composition teacher in his early years, to whom this choice pays tribute. King s Barbers is composed of former choristers now in the Senior section of King s Ely. All received their formative musical training under Paul Trepte. Tristan Harding, now in his final year at King s, speaks warmly of that education: I believe that the success of the choir under Mr Trepte s tenure has largely been down to the unwavering respect which he has commanded over each and every one of his choristers. This respect is one which is cultivated from that first occasion when an accidental is ignored during Evensong, and a quick glance from those bespectacled eyes is enough to prevent such a mistake from occurring ever again. It is a respect which is developed through the accomplishment of the seemingly impossible, but above all, it is a respect which is sealed upon the acknowledgement that this inspirational and endlessly talented musician s most admirable quality is his indefatigable dedication to daily choral excellence. I am sure that, like me, each and every person who has performed the Opus Dei under his watchful eye will feel honoured to have served under a director with whose distinction Ely Cathedral has been blessed for almost three decades. 7

8 EVENTS / CONCERTS Ely Cathedral Science Festival The Sky s The Limit 18 May - 9 June Ely Cathedral will be hosting a spectacular science event to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the first moon landing and explore what the future holds for humanity. Lift up your eyes and experience the Museum of the Moon, a 7 metre diameter lunar replica hovering above the Cathedral s nave. Come and explore the wonders of space through themed activity nights, an interactive space exhibition including space suits and meteorites. Experience the National Space Centre s Star Dome and immerse yourself in talks on space travel, aliens and the future of our planet given by leading experts including the Astronomer Royal and presenters from The Sky at Night. The Museum of the Moon by UK artist Luke Jerram will be on display in the magnificent nave throughout the Science Festival. The moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The internally lit replica is at an approximate scale of 1:500,000 so each centimetre represents 5km of the moon s surface. This amazing installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround-sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Museum of the Moon Orbiting around the Museum of the Moon will be intriguing and inspiring exhibits including a replica of the Space suit worn by Neil Armstrong, an ancient star atlas, astronomical diagrams from the seventeenth century and the first ever printed map of the moon on loan from the Institute of Astronomy. There will be fragments of Meteorites collected from around the world and space food for astronauts. This includes a bacon sandwich made in collaboration with Heston Blumenthal for Tim Peake s trip to the International Space Station, containing the first piece of bread in space since The quirkiest item in the exhibition has to be a space toilet- because we are still only human! There will also be exhibits from the Cambridge Science Centre and a stunning lunar-inspired art exhibition Moon-shot: Woman on the Moon by ESERO-space Ambassador, Helen Schell. These large scale works of art will utilise the magnificent setting of the Cathedral and encourage visitors to explore all the space themed exhibits on display. A full programme is available on the Cathedral website and Science Festival flyer. In addition a major Schools programme will run alongside with support from The Royal Institution, The Whipple Museum, National Space Centre and the Institute of Astronomy. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock The Festival will be launched on Monday 20 May with a special service of Choral Evensong. Everyone is invited to this celebratory service led by our Cathedral Choirs. The music will be out of this world and there will be a world premiere performance of a new Science Festival Commission by Composer Tim Watts, Artist in Residence at The Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University. After the service, we move straight into our first Night at the Cathedral Evening. Let your imagination wander as you explore the numerous Science Festival exhibits. There will be the opportunity to participate in interactive displays including Robotics, Meteorites, Space Science and Molecular Biology. Visitors will be encouraged to handle some of the exciting range of rocks from the moon. One of the highlights is a 20 minute tour of the night sky inside a six metre wide Star Dome belonging to the National Space Centre. In addition, there will be musical and liturgical responses to the theme, including a big-band concert Fly me to the Moon, a cosmic organ recital and a special service of Compline by Moonlight. The Science Festival is supported by the Church of England s, Scientists in Congregations Award. Full details available at 8 Dallas Campbell

9 EVENTS / CONCERTS STAINED GLASS MUSEUM S 40TH BIRTHDAY Saturday 30 March 10.30am pm The Stained Glass Museum will celebrate 40 years of opening to the public. To celebrate this landmark birthday, the museum will open its doors for FREE for the day.* A range of activities suitable for all the family will be taking place throughout the day - including demonstrations, crafts and tours. Whether you are revisiting this unique collection, or visiting for the first time, come and be inspired and learn something new. AN EVENING OF SONGS AND SONNETS WITH MALCOLM GUITE Friday 10 May 7.30pm RETROSPECTIVE CANDLEMAS Join Poet, Priest and Author Malcolm Guite for an Evening of Songs and Sonnets. All profits to aid Christian Aid. *Please note, free entry applies to The Stained Glass Museum only. Some activities will take place in the museum gallery (accessed by 40 steps) and others on the ground floor. ELY SINFONIA - VERDI REQUIEM Saturday 4 May 7.30pm Ely Sinfonia presents Verdi s REQUIEM Ely Cathedral Saturday 4th May pm Aoife O Connell Soprano Freya Jacklin Mezzo-soprano Michael Solomon Williams Tenor Laurence Williams Bass with the King s Lynn Festival Chorus and Ely Sinfonia Conductor: Steve Bingham Tickets: Available from: 25 (premium) Ely Cathedral Box Office 20/ 15 (reserved) Tel: (unreserved) box.office@elycathedral.org Concessions 15 in 20 seats By kind permission of the Dean and Chapter Registered charity Almost all of Verdi s most performed works are operas. But one, his Requiem, is probably performed almost more than any of his other compositions. Yet he almost didn t write it. There are so many, many masses for the dead. It would be pointless to add one more, he said to a friend. But then Rossini died and Verdi reversed his decision and collaborated with eleven other Italian composers to produce a joint Requiem. His particular contribution was the Libera Me, which three years later he used as the basis for his Requiem for Alessandro Manzoni, an author and great Italian patriot who shared many of Verdi s political ideals. For this concert, Ely Sinfonia joins forces with King s Lynn Festival Chorus to perform Verdi s religious masterpiece, which is one of the best loved requiems ever written. The Feast of Candlemas this year was celebrated at a special evening Eucharist attended by nearly 500 people. Candlelight illuminated the Nave pillars and walls. The choir performed Vierne s Messe Solennelle. The music of Sir John Tavener, Cecilia McDowall and Praetorius spanned many centuries and was sung from St Etheldreda s Chapel, the Octagon, the Transepts and the West End of the Cathedral which created a fitting end to the extended Christmas season. We recalled Jesus being brought to the Temple for the first time, when Simeon took him in his arms and said Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace mine eyes have seen thy salvation. We heard those words sung to the music of Geoffrey Burgon (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Charles Wood. We were very fortunate to have Bishop Tim Stevens to preach who spoke movingly on the light that Christ brings into the world. The service concluded with the whole congregation lighting their own candles and gathering around the font as we turned focus from the crib towards the Cross in anticipation of Lent. Chapter is very grateful to everyone who made the service possible, especially our musicians and operations department joined by a team of candle lighters. 9

10 FOCUS ON Paul Trepte, Director of Music at Ely Cathedral How did your interest / career in music begin? I arranged piano lessons myself with the local piano teacher - without first consulting my parents, who were bemused but very supportive. My piano teacher soon introduced me to Donald Webster who was at that time Assistant Organist at Leeds Parish Church (now Leeds Minster). Donald Webster persuaded my parents that I should audition to sing as a boy in the choir at Leeds. There I met Donald Hunt, organist and choirmaster at Leeds, who nurtured me in all things musical, giving me organ tuition and inviting me to become accompanist for Halifax Choral Society. He also allowed me to develop all the skills I would need to launch my career, and prepared me for entrance to New College, Oxford. What were you doing before joining Ely Cathedral? I was appointed Assistant organist at Worcester Cathedral whilst studying for a BMus at Oxford. At Worcester I did most of the organ playing and was responsible for the Cathedral s voluntary choir which consisted of boys and men. I also taught music at The King s School, Worcester and was closely involved in the famous Three Choirs Festivals. I wrote an anthem for the opening service of the 1981 festival which I conducted. That was my first experience of conducting a professional orchestra (The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra). More important than all that, I met and married Sally. She and I have always been a team. From Worcester I went on to become Director of Music at St Mary s Collegiate Church, Warwick where I had my first opportunities to initiate recording projects, BBC Choral Evensongs and choir tours abroad. Our daughter, Sara was born in Warwick. Then it was on to St Edmundsbury Cathedral as Director of music where my main task was to implement the wish of the Cathedral authorities there to replace the mixed gender soprano line with a boys only top line. (How things change!) What were your first impressions of Ely? Sally and I happened to visit Ely for the first time when we were on our honeymoon. We attended an evensong sung by the lay clerks only and had a good look around obviously without knowing that we would end up here. Ely struck us as a small and rather cold place, but Sally commented on the very fine market. When we moved into The Old Sacristy it felt vast and chilly, but also very grand. I was of course excited to have musical charge of such an inspiring and famous building and an associated choir school. Ely seemed to us to be a very traditional environment and somewhat set in its ways. We were always conscious in those early days that the Cathedral was short of money. What does the role of Director of Music involve on a daily, weekly, yearly basis? I could write several lengthy novels about all that! No day is the same as any other, but the prime joy is always been the requirement to make music in the context of worship. During term time my weekdays start with the boys morning rehearsal which is of 55 minutes duration. The hard work and learning is done at that time of day. The trick is to channel all their young energy into the singing. After the early morning rehearsal I have to interact 10 with adults and settle down to meetings and admin. The truth is that most of my daytimes have been spent in front of a computer rather than making music. There is a rhythm about the way one week succeeds another and this dictates the content of the rehearsal schedules which I plan in great detail in order to be sure to get everything covered. The enemy is always time, and it s very easy to make the mistake of getting bogged down in too much detail so that some other tricky corner of some piece remains unrehearsed so it s helpful to have the equivalent of an agenda for any rehearsal. The content of the music list is planned on a termly basis but the detailed schedules for the choristers and lay clerks are planned monthly. I think of the year in two ways at the same time: the succession of the church seasons and the succession of the three school terms. Much planning for the Michaelmas term is done during the summer months so that there is time when September arrives to think carefully about Advent and Christmas detail. The musical thinking about Epiphany, Candlemas, Lent and Easter must also be done before Christmas otherwise it becomes a rush in early January. The summer term often involves thinking about a concert project (eg the science festival concert). A concert tour abroad may intervene at any time, and the planning often begins at least a year in advance.

11 You must have seen so many changes at the Cathedral over the years, tell us about some of them. Here are a few that immediately spring to mind: Bishops, Deans and Chapter members have come and gone. We currently have two female members of Chapter Clergy - an excellent thing. School pupils have become students and the School Head has become the School Principal. The Precentor is no longer a minor canon. The number of Cathedral office staff has increased approximately ten-fold. When I arrived in Ely I had responsibility for just one choir of boys and men. We now have the Girls, The Ely Imps, The Octagon Singers, a Compline Choir and a Community Choir. We also have a huge pool of extra adult singers. All choristers now have individual singing lessons, and the lay clerks are encouraged to do likewise. There is no such thing as a Canon Treasurer any more, but there is a Cathedral Administrator. There has been a gigantic increase in the number of meetings needed to make the Cathedral function as smoothly as it does. Safeguarding eats up days if not weeks of time and attention. What do you consider to be your greatest achievements during your time at Ely? The maintenance of choral standards and the traditional makeup of the English Cathedral Choir (boys and men) has been maintained during my watch, but also enhanced. Choristers continue to board here. It s a very special experience when associated with the choral tradition - despite all the questions asked about its future. It is a privilege to be able to observe how choristers thrive and succeed at King s Ely when they leave the choir. I hope I have managed to put worship Opus Dei first, even though so much work has to be done to facilitate concerts, tours and special events (which I like to call the icing on the cake ). I have often been required to come out of my comfort zone in order to meet the demands of unusual concert projects. The most obvious examples have been the swing concerts and the Science Festival (that was the concert where I had an argument with a dalek!) I have written much music for the Cathedral choir, and some of it seems to have worked well in performance. Tell us about the most memorable services, events, concerts, tours that you have been a part of? I think some of the most memorable services have been the ones which some might think ordinary. It is wonderful when the choir is suddenly on peak form on a cold Thursday night in January when there is hardly anyone in the congregation. I much prefer such occasions to the more ceremonial ones attended by the great and good. Of the many larger scale services which preoccupy us around Christmas and Easter my favourite has always been the Advent Procession. This service offers many opportunities to use the sacred space in an imaginative way, and it was for this service that I wrote what I consider to be one of my best pieces: a setting of the Advent Prose which features two treble soloists: one singing from the Octagon Angel windows and the other from the clock tower at the West end. Some of my concert memories relate to my earlier days when, for example, the Cathedral Choir gave several performances both in the Cathedral and in London of Handel s Messiah and Bach s St John Passion. In more recent times our home concerts have had to be popular in style and content. The main annual carol concerts have always been fun and clearly much enjoyed by audiences. As to foreign tours, each and every one of those has been an adventure and I have many happy memories of them all. The choir s two trips to Poland were definite highlights, likewise a trip to Northern Italy where the concerts always began late but where the huge audiences were particularly appreciative (when they eventually decide to turn up!) After singing in Northern Italy we went on to Rome where all our planned concerts did happen - but not necessarily on the day or at the time planned! 11 It was very moving to sing in the Church of St Paul Without the Walls so close to the resting place of my favourite Saint. A particularly imaginative tour was the one to France organised in conjunction with Canon Peter Sills, following Via Podiensis - one of the famous pilgrimage routes. Although that tour had its challenges in terms of travel and accommodation we all had great fun and it was spiritually especially rewarding. What aspect of Cathedral life will you miss the most? I shall definitely miss the early morning rehearsals with the boys, who are at their best at that time of day. For many years I have relied on them to wake me up and give me my first laughs of the day. I shall miss the daily rhythm of all rehearsals and sung services. It has also been a privilege to work with so many inspiring colleagues who show so much devotion to Cathedral life. What are you plans for the future? The big excitement for Sally and me will be the birth of our first grandchild in May. I shall be doing more examining for The Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, including a trip to Singapore in late summer. Most of all I am looking forward to composing. Even if the muse does not strike immediately I have many sketches to develop. Top of the list will be a carol I sketched whilst on holiday in Guernsey last summer. My intention was to work on that piece in time to include it in our 2018 Christmas repertoire, but admin intervened and made it impossible. I would like to resume teaching - both academic and at the keyboard. I actually enjoy playing the piano at least as much as playing the organ so I shall look out for opportunities to be involved in Chamber Music making. Will we still see you at the Cathedral? I intend to stay out of Edmund s way. I have learnt much from my predecessor, Arthur Wills, who has always been a good friend to me during my tenure, but who never ever criticised or attempted to intervene. If I do occasionally pop in to the odd weekday service I will in any case want to be at the back of the nave where the sound of the singing is very clear.

12 MARCH Saturday pm Cambridge Chorale Concert Sunday 3 - Sunday next before Lent Monday pm Tuesday pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert University of South Dakota Chamber Singers The Choristers Pancake Race and Big Pancake Party Wednesday 6 - Ash Wednesday with the Imposition of Ashes 7.30pm Solemn Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes Friday 8 followed by Lent Lunch (Lady Chapel) Saturday pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) Sunday 10-1st Sunday of Lent 6.30pm Taizé Service (Lady Chapel) Tuesday 12 1pm Music and Meditation for Lent 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Thursday pm An Audience with Paul Trepte Friday 15 followed by Lent Lunch (Lady Chapel) 1.10pm Lunchtime Concert Guildhall Saxophone Ensemble Saturday pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert Suffolk Singers 5.30pm Come and Sing Evensong Sunday 17-2nd Sunday in Lent Tuesday 19 - Joseph of Nazareth 1pm Music and Meditation for Lent 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Wednesday pm Lunchtime Live Concert King s Ely Music Thursday pm Lunchtime Concert Julie Bale (Soprano) John Wyatt (Piano) Friday 22 followed by Lent Lunch (Lady Chapel) Sunday 24-3rd Sunday of Lent Monday 25 - The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday 26 1pm 9pm Music and Meditation for Lent Compline (Lady Chapel) Friday 29 followed by Lent Lunch (Lady Chapel) Saturday am Stained Glass Museum 40th Birthday Family Fun Day Sunday 31 - Mothering Sunday APRIL Tuesday 2 1pm Music and Meditation for Lent 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Wednesday pm Launch Event for Cathedral Environment Group - Renew Friday 5 followed by Lent Lunch (Lady Chapel) Sunday 7-5th Sunday in Lent Monday 8 10am Easter Craft Family Drop-in 7pm Organ Recital Paul Trepte Tuesday 9 1pm Music and Meditation for Lent 9pm Compline (Lady Chapel) Wednesday 10 10am Easter Craft Family Drop-in Friday 12 followed by Lent Lunch (Lady Chapel) Saturday pm Ely Choral Society The Music Makers Sunday 14 - Palm Sunday 4pm A Prelude to Holy Week HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES SEE PAGE 7 Friday 19 - Good Friday 10am Children s Good Friday Activities and Worship Sunday 28-1st Sunday of Easter Monday 29 - George, Patron of England Tuesday 30 - Mark the Evangelist MAY Wednesday 1 - Philip and James 7.30pm Hills Road Sixth Form College Spring Concert Saturday pm Verdi Requiem Ely Sinfonia with King s Lynn Festival Chorus Sunday 5-2nd Sunday of Easter Thursday pm Friday pm Lunchtime Concert Neil Colledge Piano An evening of poetry and music with Malcolm Guite Saturday pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) Sunday 12-3rd Sunday of Easter Tuesday 14 - Mathias the Apostle Thursday 16 Ely Cathedral Business Group Celebration of Business Saturday 18 5pm RSCM Festival Service Saturday 18 May - 9 June ELY CATHEDRAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL THE SKY S THE LIMIT For a full list of Science Festival events please visit Sunday 19-4th Sunday of Easter 2pm East Anglian Regional Transplant Service, Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving Sunday 26-5th Sunday of Easter Monday pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert University of London Chamber Choir Thursday 30 - Ascension Day 10.30am Retired Clergy Eucharist 7.30pm Sung Eucharist Friday 31 - Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth Ely Cathedral Community Choir Sing again! Back by ever-increasing popular demand, the Community Choir will pop-up again to sing at major events in the Spring: An Audience with Paul Trepte on 14 th March and The Science Festival Nights at the Cathedral on 20 th and 29 th May. Rehearsals in the Song School (Enter through Door in South Nave Aisle) from 12.30pm-1pm on the following dates: Monday 11 th Feb Tuesday 19 th Feb Thursday 28 th Feb Tuesday 5 th March Monday 11 th March Tuesday 26 th March Monday 1 st April Thursday 11 th April Tuesday 30 th April Thursday 9 th May Thursday 16 th May The only audition for this choir is that you SMILE! No previous singing experience necessary! Everybody welcome! Octagon Copies are available in the Cathedral, Cathedral Gift Shops, Refectory Café and Almonry Restaurant. Magazine Electronic copies can be viewed at Comments or suggestions for Octagon are welcome. Please direct them to: news@elycathedral.org Images Simon Galloway, James Billings, Timothy Selvage, Keith Heppell, ECPL. Ely Cathedral, The Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DL Follow us on Issue 8 - Summer edition available June.