Evensong - Notes from the Choir

Brilliant. It has changed the way I shall sing in future - for the better. Mainly by always doing my best even if the music is dross.

I found this a fascinating and insightful read, told with a wry sense of humour. There's so much information in it that I didn't know as a professed enthusiast for evensong and Anglican church music. Highly recommended.

Whether you are alreay in the know or want help to demystify this gem of a book has something for everyone.

I found it very informative even though I am reasonably familiar with Evensongs but now more often go to services without the luxury of a choir . It was also very amusing .
It really conveyed the sense of cameraderie in a Cathedral choir . I feel slightly envious !

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!

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!

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

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.

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

Evensong - Notes from the Choir (paperback)

A wry look at Cathedral choral singing. I'm not one, but I enjoyed it, learned a huge amount and laughed out loud.

Habemus librum bonum.

As a chorister parent, this explains so much (in every sense) in a very funny and informative way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Evensong - Notes from the Choir, reading it straight through in an afternoon. Brilliant blend of facts, anecdote and explanation, all with a relatable and honest sense of humour. (I’m an orchestral musician and a lot of it rings very true!) Now recommend to all my musical friends, and church goers! The directory of pubs will be very useful for those far flung oratorios in the cathedral cities.

Absolutely brilliant book.

For those who have sung in Cathedral choirs before, this is full of laugh out loud descriptions of life in a choir and all its weird idiosyncrasies. The accuracy is astonishing and the style of writing is easy as it is compelling - I read this in 2 days (well, 3, if we're counting days in the way of Jesus's resurrection!).

I recommend this book to anyone who has been in, or is currently, a Cathedral choir.

This is similarly recommended for anyone intrigued in the life of a Cathedral musician.

Tim, as ever, nails the narrative and peppers it with self-deprecating humour and genuine love for the work, life and curiosities of choirs. Highly recommended.

Haven’t gotten it yet!

This has to be the best book I’ve ever read! I haven’t been able to put it down ever since I got it. It’s funny, relatable, and has all the little quirks that only a choir member would know. It’s a great book to read in the sermons too!