Saint Paul’s Cathedral
Susi and I went to a Service at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London last
night. It was the Annual Festival of the Friends of Saint Paul and
our friend, Robert Walker, had written the music for the service. We
went as invited friends of Bob’s and therefore sat in the very front
row of the church, where they don’t let the unwashed masses, right
under the dome of St. Paul’s. Also in our row was the Lord Mayor of
London, the Sheriff of London, and the Duchess of Gloucester. The
service itself was a bit more like propaganda for the Friends of St
Paul’s than a proper service, but being so close to the front of the
action was a unique experience. The service was directed by lots of
people in strange clothing walking with wands. Bob’s music was
fantastic and I especially liked his second piece, which seemed to me
to have some Asian influences in it, which you normally don’t hear in
church. (Bob lived in Bali and Bangkok for a while.) Everyone
agreed that the organ was a bit too loud and drowned out some of the
singing. Also we saw, as Bob called it, and I am paraphrasing, “the
union of church and state”. It is rather peculiar, especially since
in the USA we pretend that it doesn’t matter. Generally, it doesn’t
matter, unless it is an election year.
Here is a brief excerpt from the program from the service, these are
the directions for everyone before the service starts, remember this
is a church:
At 1645 remain seated as the Dean and Chapter proceed to the Great
West Door.
At 1650 the Dean and Chapter receive the Lord Mayor at the Great West
Door.
At 1655 Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester is greeted by
the Lord Mayor and escorted to the Great West Door where she is
received by the Dean and Chapter.
At 1655 remain seated as the Choir, the College of Minor Canons and
the College of Canons proceed to their places in the Queue.
At 1700 please stand as a fanfare is sounded and Her Royal Highness
The Duchess of Gloucester is escorted to her place under the Dome by
the Dean and Chapter.
I won’t forget this entire experience.