Have You Heard Our Choir?

Frary, Reg

Parker, Madeleine R.

Religion & Spirituality

Nimbus Press

Warbling sopranos, bellowing basses, someone in the back row at least a line ahead of everyone else, fusty robes, intransigent organists and temperamental clergy - welcome to the world of the local church choir. There is no better observer of the volatile relations between the clergy, the choir, the organist and the congregation than Reg Frary who has seen it all in over seventy years' first hand experience of sitting in the choir stalls Sunday by Sunday and at weddings, funerals, carol services, festivals and other occasions.

You Can't Keep a Good Tune Down: No Matter How Hard the Choir Tries

Canterbury Press Norwich

Like a favourite TV comedy series, Reg Frary returns with another collection of all-too believable stories about anarchy and revolt waiting to break out in the choirstalls. They may look angelic in their robes, and may (on rare occasions) even sound like angels, but it's a dirty game keeping one step ahead of the vicar's trendy ideas and the choir director's aspirations to dictatorship. It all necessitates frequent councils of war down at the Dog and Duck after practice...

Hearts to Heaven and Tempers Raise: Choirstalls and Other Places Where Angels Fear to Tread

Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd

There's nothing like singing a favourite hymn to the wrong tune to get everyone up in arms - the congregation will blame the vicar, the vicar will blame the organist, the organist will take it out, as usual, on the choir who claim they never, ever, sing any other tune. By this and other such common occurrences, a low grade war of attrition is constantly maintained in local churches everywhere. It keeps everyone on their toes. And there is no better observer of the volatile relations between the clergy, the choir and the organist than Reg Frary who has seen it all in almost seventy years' first hand experience of sitting in the choir stalls Sunday by Sunday.

We Don't Do That Tune, Vicar: More Disharmony in the Choir Stalls

<p>Here are 23 new stories, written with characteristic affection and wit, which will greatly entertain Reg's loyal and eager readers. Bellowing basses, lead singers at least a line ahead of everyone else, temperamental organists, mildewing sheet music and fusty robes - welcome to the world of the local church choir. There is no better observer of the volatile relations between the clergy, the choir, the organist and the congregation than Reg Frary who has seen it all in almost seventy years' first hand experience of sitting in the choir stalls Sunday by Sunday. This is an ideal Christmas gift for anyone who sings in an amateur choir (and the more amateur, the better).</p>

The Lost Chords: The Parish Choir Tries Its Best