American Choir in Exeter

So many tremendous experiences. While I will take times to process the tour, I feel grateful for the opportunity to bring our music, efforts and joyful community to this beautiful Cathedral. The photo shows the choir facing East with the great West window behind. Thanks and blessings to all who have supported this tour and the 54 choristers and adults who made an unforgettable journey.
Erich Balling, Canon Musician

At the Close of Day by Ben Gillig

At the Close of Day

"My Soul doth magnify the lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in god my savior"

As we approach the last day of our residency at Exeter, I feel that this trip will last us for a lifetime. The trebles have showed true courage over the past few days unlike any other choir and trip I have participated in. I have never felt so connected with these people in all aspects of the choir.

When we finish our last two services, I feel as though the only way I can describe this week is with the song of Simeon.
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel."

Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has said thanks to the choir all the way to the Ballings planing this amazing experience.

- Ben Gillig

Rare Experiences

This week has been one of rare musical experiences. Exeter Cathedral is home to an organ originally built in 1665 and, although it has been restored several times since then, the wood case that houses most of the pipes is still the same. Two nights this week, I have been allowed to play on the organ at night, alone in the Cathedral. How amazing to be in a massive, magnificent Cathedral alone playing the organ! It is a glorious memory and there is no feeling like it. 

Just below the organ on the north side, is the exquisite, wooden carved Quire, where I have heard our choir sing some stunning music. Accompanying them has been a joy and an inspiration! They have worked hard to create ethereal music, and their sound fills the Cathedral with absolute beauty. 

On Tuesday, our choir sang for the Bishop of Exeter in a service installing four canons in the Cathedral. Although I did not play for this service, I was in the organ loft and assisted the Cathedral's organ scholar. Watching someone who has spent hours, days, and weeks on the Cathedral's instrument was absolutely incredible! 

One other musical highlight from this week actually took place away from the Cathedral at Powderham Castle, where the Earl of Devon lives. It is an elegant castle, filled with gorgeous rooms, furniture, and decor, but Erich and I received a wonderful gift from our tour guide. She got to hear the choir sing in the Castle's music room, but later, she led Erich, Kathleen and I back through the home to the small 1769 tracker organ. Kathleen pumped the bellow, so Erich and I could each play this quaint instrument. What a musical treasure! 

There are still three days left on the tour, and I can't imagine what other musical moments will stay with me forever. 


Lisa Hall

Compline at the Cathedral by Lauren Graf

As we end each day on our tour, we gather for a short time of reflection and prayer. Similar to a compline service, we have a short reading and say the Lord's Prayer. Most nights, we have been praying with the sunset and the cathedral as our backdrop. The service acts as a final, calming moment together before we go through to our rooms. Below are pictures.

Small groups sharing big ideas

Dean Wade rallying her army

Compline under the North Tower

Lauren Graf

The Look of Surprise

    You can tell a lot about a person and what they are feeling by the look in their eyes. Last night we experienced our second Evensong at the Cathedral, and it was such a special experience. It was an important night to be singing at the Cathedral, as new leadership was being installed, and the Bishop of Exeter was in attendance. Our anthem last night was the Gardiner Evening hymn, which is one of my all time favorites. It demands a lot of energy and focus, but it is so much fun to sing. Having the opportunity to sing it in a Cathedral like Exeter makes it even more special. From the time we finished our opening section, I caught eyes with a member of the congregation. He had a very serious face at the time, but his eyes were gleaming with joy, and maybe even a little but of surprise. I'm not sure he expected our American choir to make the sound we did. Being able to see our music bring so much joy to people, even if it's just one person, is why I love this choir as much as I do. Although there are challenges along the way, the feeling of singing with great confidence in a large Cathedral overseas is so amazing, and it is so worth the Jet lag and homesickness. Having the opportunity to spread God's love through music in England this summer is something I am beyond grateful for. Thank you for all of your prayers and support at home in Lexington. We truly wouldn't be here without you.

Emma Stivers

Here are some pictures from our adventures the past few days! :) 

A trip to Dawlish. A few of the boys were brave enough to take a swim in the cold water! 

(This photo from the Cathedral was taken by Brendan Naish.)

A Liturgical Instrument

Not since 1939 have 4 positions at Exeter
Cathedral been filled in one service of installation. An event of this magnitude found its natural home in the Evensong Service yesterday. By combining these two events, the gravity of the installation matched perfectly the familiarity of evening prayer. As is the case at Cathedrals here in the UK, Evensong is a daily service and, by its very nature, takes its place as the core of worship. This solemn atmosphere was given the light of God's love in the choral settings of the prayers and supplications, the words of the Songs of Mary (the Magnificat ) and of Simeon (the Nunc Dimitis ), and in the setting of an evening prayer. Those who attend the handful of Evensong services during the choral season at Christ Church are familiar with the format. At home, these are given the feeling of special offerings, rather than a daily occurrence. Instead of being something reserved for special occasions,  the diocesan celebration was incorporated in the very fabric of worship, and our choirs became the liturgical instrument to deliver that occasion into the life of the Cathedral.
There is a great responsibility attached to role of delivering these prayers and spiritual songs. Speaking to God on behalf of those who attend is something that choirs have done for centuries, and in so doing, allow the listeners to have those words and music wash over them like a gentle shower and the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts. For this service Dean Wade was invited to join the Clergy and was resplendent in an elegant gold cope. The execution of the logistics of a service of this complexity and gravity falls on the shoulders of a host of Cathedral officials, ultimately on the Canon Precentor to fulfill the Bishop's instructions. Martin Shaw, Canon Precentor of the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter discharges his duties with resolute care, and an indefatigable commitment to the pursuit of excellence in the worship God.  This has been evident from our first moments at the Cathedral. Before we began our residence  at Exeter, we attended the services on Sunday. The Evensong Service was in particular an indication of this gentleman's clear an present love of God. His fine voice was spot on in leading the Preces and Responses,  his oratorical abilities made the scripture readings come alive.
It was his sermon that night that told me that this was a man of God. Bringing the focus of the readings to this point: through the study of the Gospels, for him it matters not so much "what you believe", but "what you KNOW in your heart to be true". With that knowledge,  would we recognize our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ if he walked into a service in the form of the poor, the hopeless or the lost?
These lessons, these services and our voices coming together at this time...what will we learn from this?
Thanks be to God!

Richard W. Giles
Member of the Men's Choir
and sometimes Chaperone

Here are some pictures from our first few days in Exeter. We are having a great time, and we all feel so blessed to be here. We are looking foward to our first Evensong this evening at the Cathedral. More pictures and reflections to come later this week! :) 

Compline and afternoon activites on the Cathedral Greens.

The Cathedral

Selfie with some of the girls! 

Getting ready for some football outside!