Rending the Air

After a cool clear sunny autumn morning drive through the Dorset countryside to reach Milton Abbey, set in a Capability Brown landscape, the only response possible was one of praise to God.

Noel Tredinnick, Music Director of All Souls Langham Place immediately started taking photographs to put on his Facebook page!

 ‘Milton Abbey – a new discovery for me. The day delighted me totally and surpassed my expectations’, he said.

100 singers registered to sing a variety of music from Mozart to Parry to Townend; a 4 part setting of A Mighty Fortress by Martin Luther to a 4-part setting of Tell Out My Soul by Timothy Dudley Smith. Singers came from all sorts of backgrounds, some experienced singers, others just for the love of singing. All united to make a wonderful sound in Milton Abbey under the inspirational leadership of Noel Tredinnick.

The day was supported by a team of volunteers from the Abbey and Milton Abbey Heritage Trust, providing hot drinks and soup and bread at lunchtime. Our able accompanist for the day was Chris Dowie, accompanist for the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, on both piano and organ.

The day concluded with the Fill the Abbey with Praise service and over 150 people arrived to contribute to the joyful sound and to hear more about the vision for Milton Abbey.

‘An inspiring day – a great mix of music and fellowship’, said one participant.

Others said, ‘What a glorious day we had on Saturday – I cannot wait until the next one’ and ‘It was most enjoyable, moving and prayerful’.

A final tribute was, ‘the direction from Noel Tredinnick was dynamic and inspiring. He tried to help us think about the words as well as the way the music was written.’