Bringing out my fiddle

Matthew Huish
November 29, 2011

Yesterday I brought my violin with me to university. Just in case you weren't aware, I'm currently studying an MA in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College (near Kensington High Street). It's a part-time course, spread over 2 years, so I only have a single two-hour class every week (which means it doesn't distract me too much from my pastoral commitments). Nevertheless, I want to get involved in the student life at Heythrop, seeing the college as place where I can develop my tribal messiahship: I've attended a couple of the ecumenical prayers that take place on a Monday evening; I've tried communicating with the president of the student union; I took part in the celebration of mass at the college's start-of-year Eucharist.

It was at the end of this worship service that an announcement was made inviting students to volunteer their services at mass, as readers, as catechists, and as musicians. I signed my name up to the schola cantorum (the choir) and also the instrumental accompaniment to the schola. After some email correspondence with Rev Dr. Martin Poulsom, who coordinates the instrumental accompaniment, we agreed to meet yesterday evening for a rehearsal.

Meeting Martin was interesting: He plays guitar and is a keen musician. (Like me.) His undergraduate studies were in biochemistry. (Like me.) He did his MA in pastoral theology. (Like me.) At Heythrop. (Like me.) He's a priest. (Like me… sort of)

He actually had forgotten his guitar, so in the end we simply went to his office where I pulled out my fiddle and sight-read the melodies of the hymns we will accompany at the mass on Thursday, while Martin sang along. Both he and I were pleasantly surprised at my rather good sight-reading – it's been a while since I've regularly played the violin, so I'm pleased to see I've still got the hang of it. My sound is still a little rough around the edges, but with regular playing my sound should improve quickly.

I've neglected music for a quite a few years. Ever since leaving school, I haven't played my violin regularly or sang in a proper choir. At university, now, I have an opportunity to offer my musical skills not only for the worship of God but also for making new friends. I'm considering to join an orchestra in Lewisham in January to further my musical hobby and make even more new friends. Also in the Bromley community we have started a choir and we're trying to start a worship band. As the pastor, I'm not sure how much I can commit to either of these – I suspect my involvement will be as an occasional contributor rather than a regular member. But music, I've realized, is one of the things I enjoy deep down in my heart. And since I want to offer to God my sincerest devotional offerings from my heart, it's fitting that I invest my efforts, in collaboration with others, into the creation of good, beautiful music.