Choir Recordings

After taking over as choirmaster in 1981 we looked at how best to record the choir - both during a service, and for a specific recording session.

Spalding Parish Church has very strange accoustics - partly due to the rather soft limestone, and the large number of pillars in the Nave. The rood screen may, or may not, also have some effect on the rather limited transmission of sound from the chancel to the nave.

After trying microphones in every conceivable position, with limited success, we decided that hanging mics high up in the nave might work. his would only be possible for a 'recording session' due to the intrusion of cables etc.

One evening after the church was closed, and armed with fishing line, tennis balls, tape , and reels of microphone cable from Welec (a Spalding electrical store on the corner of Red Lion Street, opposite Turner's fish shop), we set about trying to hang the mics up high. The plan was to tape the fishing line to a tennis ball, and then hit the ball high into the nave in an attempt to get the ball over the steel tie bars which cross the nave from North to South at roof level.

The resulting scene was rather like something from a 'Carry-On' film. On the first few attempts the ball did not go high enough - and just left fishing wire tangled up all over the pews. On subsequent attempts the fishing line came off the ball, and the balls lodged high up in the eaves - never to be seen again... On the final attempt the ball went over the steel tie, but snagged on something, leaving the ball hanging in mid air. In an attempt to retrieve the ball the wire had to be pulled so hard that it snapped off. The ball dropped, but a length of fishing line was left - out of reach - high up in the nave. This remained there, together with the lost tennis balls, until the scaffolding was later erected following the Fire Extinguisher drama. (Reported in another section.)

It was finally decided that a choir recording would not be possible in our church, and that we would need to find another location - and Boston Stump fitted the bill perfectly.

In 1983 we approached Priory Records to produce a choir LP (Long Playing Record) with our choir singing in Boston Stump. Due to the noise outside Boston Stump on a normal day, it was decided that it would have to be recorded during a bank holiday period - and so Tuesday 27th December was chosen.

The recording of 14 items sung by the choir, and two organ solos by David Bishop, took the entire day, and was a completely exhausting experience. Looking back I am amazed that we were able to sing all this music, and not sound tired out. The vinyl LP 'O Sing Joyfully' was produced, and copies sold in our church (for £5 each I think). The recording can be listened to on our choir website under 'Commercial Recordings'.

The photo on the rear of the record sleeve shows the choirmembers who sang on the recording. This was taken at a later date, in our church, underneath the organ loft. It is a true 'cut and paste' photo, as a couple of faces had to be added later - due to absence on that day, and the background stonework was drawn in by Rex, my dad...

The idea for our next recording project was inspired by a recording 'Rejoice' which had been produced by the boys of St. Paul's Cathedral Choir. The venue again was Boston Stump, and this time we hired recording equipment and recorded the items ourselves - with a view to selling 'tapes', sometimes known as cassettes. Eric Wayman was the organist for this recording, which was titled 'Sing a New Song', and inluded a number of secular songs. Trumpet player Richard Myland joined us for some items, and our soloist was treble James Quinton - one of our Head Choristers. The recording went extremely well - apart from an annoying blackbird in the church which decided to join in on occasions... The boys at that time excelled in producing a very bright tone, and once again you can now listen to this under 'Recordings'. Well worth a listen!

In 1988 we decided to record a tape of Christmas Music, again at Boston Stump. David Bishop was the organist, and Philip Towell, a local recording engineer, recorded and produced the master tape. 'Music for Christmas' was recorded on 27th December 1988, and proved extremely popular, with 18 carols sung by the choir, and a final organ voluntary by David Bishop.

This was to be the last of our 'commercial' recordings - partly because it was so difficult to arrange dates with other suitable venues, and partly because recording in our own church was so disappointing due to the acoustics.

Many other services and concerts have been recorded, and will be lurking in drawers or cupboards, I am sure - many recorded by the late John Didlock, who really enjoyed using the latest technology available. If any of you come across any recordings which are not yet on this website - please get in touch...