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Evensong - Notes from the Choir

Evensong - Notes from the Choir

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"Part of his aim is to make us chuckle, but Popple also packs in an impressive amount of fact along the way, and even those of us from a choral background will find themselves learning something..."

~ BBC Music Magazine (July 2025)

The ultimate insider's guide to everyone's favourite Church of England service: Choral Evensong, as heard in cathedrals and churches throughout the land.

Tim Popple, ex-chorister and now cathedral choirman, lifts the lid on its mysteries with the lightest of touches, plenty of anecdotes, and some laugh-out-loud moments. 

Whether you are a seasoned devotee or you don't know your versicles from your canticles, this book is guaranteed to have you running to your nearest cathedral to experience the beauties of choral worship . . . and you will go back and back.

~ Sir John Rutter

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This is the paperback edition.

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Evensong - Notes from the Choir
Popple, Timothy E
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    Customer Reviews

    Based on 14 reviews
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    N
    Niall Hoskin
    An insider's view of cathedral music, written with affection and wit

    Tim Popple is so much more than the creator of niche memes and even nicher apparel: he is an acute observer of the choral world in which he is steeped, which he here documents in a way that will dispel many prejudices and whet multiple appetites (for liturgical music, that is). If you don't know your Preces from your Responses, and even if you do, you will find much to chuckle over. From Important Stuff like the origins of Evensong to less central but equally interesting details like the Vibrato Hand Signal (q.v.), it's all here. Q & P: Quirky and Pleasing!

    H
    Hilary
    Evensong Banger

    What a delightful book! I couldn't put it down! For every regular (or irregular - I'm a cathedral cover choir singer) Evensong singer, there is so much to relate to and so many simple truths. A giggle at least once a chapter (they are mostly short chapters). Thank you!

    A
    Anonymous
    A wonderful read.

    Most enjoyable, having been a chorister and organist for many many years

    B
    Barbara Hicks
    Gift

    I'm in the awkward position of being unable to review the book as it was a gift sent directly to the recipient. However I can say that the service I received was excellent, above and beyond what I expected. This was the second time I had ordered from Quires and Places but I'm sure it won't be the last. A highly recommended company.

    J
    Janet Jones
    The Truth at last.

    I loved the book. We only have daughters, both sang in the church choir (as did I for over 40 years) the younger one - now 57 - was born a 2nd alto like me, and as a primary school child couldn't understand what that meant, 'and why can't I go to a choir school???' With me it was why can't I join the choir? (She now has an MMus despite Mrs. T and the Music Department axe). I found the whole chorister/choral scholar/Lay clerk stuff interesting, and it would have been useful if she'd been a boy. However, we were lucky enough to live in a suburban parish with two lovely churches with enthusiastic Organists/Music Directors who taught, and who took us to sing in various Cathedrals during your summer breaks. I have marked primary maths for my Tenor neighbour, watched the curate's wife help with German homework and various other nefarious goings-on, and would bet that you cannot find a more cynical lot than the back row in any choir. I was given the HTHA mug for Christmas the first year it appeared, and said younger daughter gave me 'It's beginning to look a lot like Advent' this year. Need I say more? with much appreciation and thanks