Liturgist, Singer, Scientist, Writer, Preacher, Teacher. Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge. Author of ‘On Voice’ Speech, Song, Silence, Human and Divine
The Reverend Canon Dr Victoria Johnson
@Vicky_ljohnson
, Canon Precentor
@York_Minster
, has been appointed as Dean of Chapel at St John’s.
She will manage services and worship, the activities of the choirs, and pastoral care provided by the Chapel.
✍️
We’ve said goodbye to Percy, a beautiful and often very naughty creature, who has served in one Mancunian parish and two English cathedrals with candour and no partiality. He took his rest whilst on sabbatical among the dreaming spires of Oxford 🐾
Canine Emeritus
An important but little known part of my role as Canon Precentor
@York_Minster
is ‘Keeper of the Tuning Forks’ which, as my colleagues will attest, I take very seriously indeed.
In corners of the
@churchofengland
evangelism is happening through music and liturgy, through the beauty of holiness. Good news shared through scripture, song, prayer and contemplation.
@York_Minster
we see this everyday.
Visiting choirs. A thread 🧵
Singing in a visiting choir was a formative experience especially as I couldn’t regularly sing in a cathedral choir. The experience has taken me all over the country to amazing cities and beautiful cathedrals. I have a soft spot for visiting choirs.
Love it that the University Anglican Society come en masse to Evensong every Friday, and then go to the pub. A model of mission as old as the 1662 but it still seems to work in 2022!
My last day as Precentor
@York_Minster
begins here celebrating the Eucharist in the Lady Chapel under the Great East Window.
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
At the end of the service today, a gentleman came up to me and said ‘I worship with you every week’. (I was worried I’d forgotten his name). Before I could reply he said ‘I worship with you every week from Dorset, but today I wanted to be here in person, and here I am, Thank you’
Shout out to our brilliant Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars
@YorkMinChoir
and all ‘back rows’ who sustain the Anglican Choral Tradition across our Cathedrals. They are a joy and a delight and tonight sang Howells, Jackson and McGlade to a full quire and to the glory of God
Take us, we pray thee, O Lord of our life, into thy keeping this night and forever. O thou light of lights, keep us from inward darkness; grant us so to sleep in peace
#NationalDayOfPrayer
#candleofhope
Well. There isn’t much more to say other than ‘thank you’ to these two amazing musicians and brilliant colleagues. They are definitely smiling in this photo after a fantastic Evensong. Easter is Easter. And today we did Easter.
This morning, at the busiest time of the year, whilst I was at morning prayer, the hound of the house ate half a brandy-soaked christmas cake gifted to me by a neighbour. I’ve been dealing with the consequences for the rest of day. He’s in the dog house - but was he really sorry?
Today
@York_Minster
we will be lighting the pink candle on our magnificent Advent Wreath. It’s Gaudete Sunday which was traditionally a break in the Advent Fast. The first word of the introit was ‘Gaudete’ which means ‘Rejoice’! If we had pink vestments we’d be wearing them.
Wonderful Eucharist for Easter Day: a full house, stunning music
@YorkMinChoir
, a champagne reception and the first copy of my book in my hands published today
@dlt_books
It is an Easter book.
Thanks to
@CottrellStephen
for a fantastic sermon and kind words of farewell.
Wonderful and historic news for York and for people of faith in this city.
Looking forward to working with Rabbi Elisheva.
‘Our doors are open’: York gets its first resident rabbi in more than 800 years
Just heard one of the best performances of Messiah *ever* from our home team here
@York_Minster
@YorkMinChoir
. Delicate, dynamic and dazzling, beautifully understated. A standing ovation from a packed cathedral and a cameo from the Grand Organ
#livemusic
#Handel
#Amen
Very proud of
@YorkMinChoir
today - though at one point I was worried the choristers were going to try and keep the King and Queen here in York! They will remember this day forever!
Succinct, thoughtful, honest and with humour: Sermon from
@CottrellStephen
@StPaulsLondon
Wonderful to have the
@churchofengland
of the northern province of York represented in the service in this way, even if at the last minute!
So that’s what a massive service
@York_Minster
looks like…Hundreds and hundreds pack the Cathedral for the Easter Day Festal Eucharist. A sign of hope for the church and the world.
I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but this painting by
@KirstyM_Art
is stunning, just beautiful. I hope the contents are up to it!
It’s a representation of Herbert Howells’ Gloucester Service -one of my favourite sets of Evensong canticles
Hearts breaking in York on the sad news from Cambridge
@DioceseofEly
about Anna Matthews, a dear, wise friend, colleague and priest for the priests.
Prayers and love for her family, friends, flock.
In communion with all the faithful,
may you dwell this day in peace.
RIP Anna
A privilege to work with the Chapel Royal, Royal Almonry and Lord High Almoner for this moving service where our new King comes among us as one who serves, honouring the service of many, on the day we remember Jesus washing the disciples feet.
Ubi Caritas deus ibi est.
Potential organists and choristers enjoying a mini-introduction to the Grand Organ by
@RJSYork
@York_Minster
They are loving it! 🎶 🎼 🎵
And are especially impressed by the Double Ophicleide and Echo Dulciana.
Almost exactly two years ago
@YorkMinChoir
sang The Three Kings by Jonathan Dove for my installation. They sang it again tonight for the first time since! Still one of my favourite Epiphany pieces and the choristers obviously love singing it too!
Blessed Cecilia,
appear in visions
to all musicians,
appear and inspire:
Translated daughter,
come down and startle
composing mortals
with immortal fire.
St Cecilia, York Minster, South Transept
Here is the stunning “Benedicite omnia opera” Chasuble (c1920) from the collection here
@York_Minster
Every day through creationtide there will be a gift of one of its creatures to cleanse your feed…
This!👇The York Gospels. Written by monks in the scriptorium of Augustine of Canterbury. Brought to York by Wulfstan ca 1020AD. Used by Archbishops for oaths since 14C and will be again tomorrow, open on this page: St Luke, Apostle and Evangelist. This book has seen some history.
Celebrating 25years of Girl Choristers as an integral and equal part of our choral foundation. Brilliant sermon by
@pjf1307
on the living tradition of Evensong and awesome singing by current and former choristers. For all that has been thanks, for all that will be, yes!
#proud
When your DoM
@RJSYork
says you have nailed the excellent
@matthewm76
responses! 😇🥳Written for a baritone cantor but sung up an octave by a soprano in this cathedral.
Today we get the posh stuff out
@York_Minster
The Banner of St Peter. Usually on display behind glass and not processed for many years.
Today in procession for our new Dean
FEDDLING: Exhibit A. Canis lupus familiaris. Look into my eyes, look into my eyes! ‘Feed me’, ‘take me for a walk’, ‘play with me’! Me, me, me all the time!
The Ancient tradition of Mistletoe on the High Altar. The final greenery always placed on Christmas Eve to adorn the Minster for Christmas.
‘Lord, I am like the mistletoe
Which has no root and cannot grow
Or prosper save by the same tree
It clings about, so I by thee.’(Herrick)
This is like a dream come true. In the Chapter House of
@York_Minster
with the York Missal and other amazing pieces from our collections. Let me say that again for all the liturgists out there: THE YORK MISSAL
#heartofyorkshire
#livinghistory
#Eboracum
One of the joys of our daily service of choral evensong is hanging around at the end. So many questions from our congregations: lots of people wondering, seeking, searching for peace, solace, holiness and transcendence.
Questions and comments this week include:
Just spent a good hour with the Music and Liturgy team
@RJSYork
@BenMorris_York
discussing this and how we’re going to celebrate
#Organ100
as the Grand Organ of
@York_Minster
comes back to life! We will be pulling out all the stops. Sorry.
For a chorister a first solo is a bit like scoring your first goal for the team. Great first solos this evening by our youngest choristers
@YorkMinChoir
Just so happened to be welcoming
@YorkCityFC
to Choral Evensong this evening too- celebrating 100yrs of goal scoring!
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Tennyson
Blessings, peace on earth and prayers for larger hearts and kindlier hands in 2024
🔔
Phenomenal cake for our retiring choristers from 2022, 2021 and 2020 who came together this afternoon to sing with one undiscording voice…for we have soon again renewed that song.
First time I’ve heard Coll Reg since my installation as Precentor
@York_Minster
in January (yes, it’s been a year) I was weepy and joyous! 😢🥰 A dream ‘Evensong of Evensongs’: Howells, View me Lord, Lloyd and introit from
@seam100
Thank you
@YorkMinChoir
@RJSYork
@BenMorris_York
🥇 Here it is! 🥇
#EnglandsFavouriteCathedral
is ... this magnificent beast.
Also ...
“too awesome for words"
"My soul was uplifted. No other church building has touched my soul like that"
Congrats
@York_Minster
And to ALL of our cathedrals. You're the best!
New day, new week, new month, new term. Begun with Morning Prayer in the Lady Chapel with sunlight streaming through the great East Window, ended with Evening Prayer in the Nave with sun setting through the Heart of Yorkshire
Choristers always excel.
Choir on tour and no piano/organ in your hotel? One of our choristers brought a fold up piano in their case.
@YorkMinChoir
on Tour
#Netherlands
From the Camera Cantorum in York. A little piece of poignant choir history. Prayers and thanksgivings for all our amazing choristers and musicians
@YorkMinChoir
and across the country who have kept the flag flying in 2021 and singing over Christmas to lift the nation’s spirit.
Decided to ignore the briefing and instead was treated to a sublime and stunning Evensong for the 15th Evening from
@YorkMinChoir
ending with the clarity and hope of Richard Lloyd’s Advent Prose, soloist from up above. Nothing betters this. Breathtaking.
The best door in Oxford leading to the hall of Merton College. Beautiful medieval ironwork perhaps only matched in door significance by the Chapter House Doors at York Minster
#adoorablethursday
#doors
#dailydoors
Benedicite omnia opera: A bat. Bats taking a lot of flack at the moment for fairly obvious reasons, but here honoured in gold thread on a Eucharistic vestment. Beautiful
Here is the stunning “Benedicite omnia opera” Chasuble (c1920) from the collection here
@York_Minster
Every day through creationtide there will be a gift of one of its creatures to cleanse your feed…
Thank you to all who enable, support and advocate for this tradition in our cathedrals, chapels and churches, musicians, singers, choristers, clergy, vergers.
And let us not forget that evangelism doesn’t have to be loud. It can be peaceful, beautiful and mysterious as well.
After a 6 month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic singing is coming BACK to York Minster on 9 Sep!
Take a look at our scheme for September and look forward to the sounds of
@YorkMinChoir
filling the Minster once again >>
To be able to share this experience of worshipping God through, prayer, music, song, silence and scripture is the greatest gift -and it feels like it is needed now more than ever.
The first full-scale advent procession since 2019 and these photos are a fantastic souvenir of a wonderful service! Thank you, Duncan!
And three cheers to
@YorkMinChoir
@eborsingers
and the whole worship team
@York_Minster
.
You are all brilliant ⭐️
A joy to preach at St Thomas, 5th Avenue on ‘the sound of mercy’ via Karl Barth, Mozart, Spufford, & Shakespeare & hear
@StThomasChoirNY
. Bringing greetings from ‘old’ York,
@York_Minster
& my former
@Ely_Cathedral
too- remembered in the stained glass here. So many connections…
On his anniversary my own little piece of Howells history. Such neat handwriting! These were in a pile of donated music from a kindly organist about twenty years ago. Signatures only fairly recently discovered. Haven’t sung from them yet.
A worshipper whispered to me on the way out of choral compline ‘it made me so happy, I didn’t want it to end’. The power of music to help us gaze at God through prayer, just as an icon does.
Traditional plainsong, Wood, Duruflé, Tavener sung by
@eborsingers
Excellent music for driving- lushious orchestrations and choral grandeur which made me think I was driving a Bentley through the english countryside rather than a Kia Picanto along a wet M40
Thank you!
@MertonCollChoir
@BenjieNicholas
Today at the Choral Eucharist
@York_Minster
more of our brilliant choristers were Read-In and our Senior Choristers were awarded their Duncombe Badges
@YorkMinChoir
#proud
For the Feast of St Francis and the final day of Creationtide, this is the final ‘tweet’ in this embroidery/vestment/creation ‘thread’: The Birds to whom St Francis preached. O ye Fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord, praise him and magnify him forever. The Benedicite Chasuble.
Here is the stunning “Benedicite omnia opera” Chasuble (c1920) from the collection here
@York_Minster
Every day through creationtide there will be a gift of one of its creatures to cleanse your feed…
Prayers
@York_Minster
for all who would have been ordained this weekend and those marking an anniversary too. Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire and lighten with celestial fire; thou the anointing Spirit art, who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart. St Peter pray for us all.
Evensong and Installation of Lay Canons 5.30pm
@York_Minster
: Moore responses, Psalm 122, First Service (Moore), Lord Jesus Christ (Philip Moore — first performance).
Final service as part of
@YorkMinChoir
tour to
#Netherlands
in St Pancras Church, Leiden. A beautiful and bright space of Minster proportions and a Willis Organ to match, expecting another packed out service of Choral Evensong.
What a treat to share classical music with children where the organ is an orchestra! Amazing performance of Peter & the Wolf by
@BenMorris_Music
on the Grand Organ
@York_Minster
. Top narration by Stuart Perry
@SHB_show
, animation Georgia McLellan
@YorkStJohn
Audience delighted!
An incredible week of music by
@YorkMinChoir
ends with the traditional ‘Chorister Easter Egg Hunt’ in the Deanery Garden after a glorious Evensong. What better way to end a joyous day! Alleluia! Christ is risen!
In the last week of term for
@YorkMinChoir
we have welcomed 200-300 people every night to Choral Evensong, they are immersed in prayer - mediated through music. Many have never stepped into a church before. Some never will again.
Brilliant to be a small part of the first Festival of
#faithandmusic
today in the great city of York. Delighted to speak to
@RevRachelMann
about the book which was written in York, and hear so many stories which resonate.
Congratulations to my brilliant colleague
@CatrionaCummin3
@York_Minster
on this fantastic appointment to All Saints, Hove
@ChichesterDio
👏 👏 👏
Prayers for parish and priest as they prepare for this new chapter!
We are delighted to announce the new parish priest of All Saints in Hove. Revd Catriona Cummings is currently the Succentor @ York Minster,
@DioceseOfYork
She will be licensed to All Saint’s on a date to be confirmed. Please hold Catriona and the parish in your prayers.
Thanks to all for your concern.
The Master of the House is fine (it was a long night though).
Christmas cakes:⚠️definitely not good for dogs⚠️ Suggest if you have a naughty, tall, attention-seeking labradoodle/pooch on site you hide the turkey, chocolate, cake, sausages now!
Wow! Worlds colliding! Etymology *and* organ stops in one single tweet! Can things get any better in Twitterworld? Thank you
@HaggardHawks
You’ve. Made. My. Day.
The STOPS in the expression ‘pull out all the stops’ are organ stops. Pulling out all of the stops on an organ creates the fullest, loudest sound possible, so the phrase has come to mean ‘to make every effort’ or ‘to go all out’.
So we salute you, O you mighty, generous and wonderful musicians! From choirs the size of choral societies to octets, with children, adults, parish choirs, chapel choirs and gathered ensembles. The Anglican Choral tradition is indebted to the amateur singers of this land.