It was truly a wonderful honor and blessing to be granted a three-month sabbatical leave this summer.  Those three months combined with my month of vacation time provided a very stimulating, exciting, awesome, and relaxing summer. 

Starting my leave at the beginning of May, I spent the first few days adjusting to a completely new daily ritual and discovering the fact that I didn’t have to be at the church every day!  The first three weeks were spent in intense organ practicing and learning new music, something I truly enjoyed.  Other events in May included spending two days observing children’s and youth choir rehearsals at All Saints’ Church in Pasadena.  At the end of the month I spent four days in Salt Lake City being privileged to play the wonderful new organ at the Mormon Conference Center on Temple Square.  I also had a coaching session with Richard Elliott, one of the tabernacle organists.  Another highlight was attending the Thursday night choir rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and orchestra.  Following the rehearsal I was able to meet with Mack Wilberg, the director, and discuss some of his compositions.  (The St. Margaret’s Choir has sung several of his pieces this past year.) 

In June I attended a Church Music conference in Los Angeles and later had some great family vacation at the beach in Newport.

The big event of the summer began on July 3 when I flew to London to begin 27 days of touring cathedrals in England and Wales.  The first few days included attending several Evensong services at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey and hearing the magnificent choirs there.  I also enjoyed an evening at the theatre seeing “The Producers.”  Thursday, July 7, was a day to remember as I was to take the train to York that morning.  When my taxi driver let me off at Kings’ Cross Station, suddenly everyone began pouring out of the station and the police were telling everyone to get away as far as possible and as quickly as possible.  At this point, no one knew for sure what was happening but it soon became clear that bombs had indeed gone off in the tunnel just out of Kings’ Cross Station.  Soon the entire subway and train lines were shut down for the whole of London.  With those closures, all taxi and bus service was also ended.  For the next six hours I walked around rather aimlessly, with everyone else who was evacuated from the station, all the while with my luggage and in a light rain.  Still, no one knew for sure the extent of the bomb damage or number of deaths involved.  Having no cell phone or transportation, I quickly made new friends with the other people on the street.  I went into a hotel lobby where a lot of other people had gathered.  A policeman came in to report what had indeed happened and that the station would not be reopened that day.  At this point, a real feeling of aloneness set in as I pondered what the next steps might be.  After another hour the same policeman came back in and stated that anyone who was planning to travel north out of the city should come with him . . . RIGHT NOW!!  Not knowing what else to do, and I was planning to go north to York, I went with the group to a bus that the police had found.  We were taken to another rather remote station in northeast London and told to get on a waiting train that was going north.  Needless to say, the train was absolutely packed to overflowing with people wanting to get away and I didn’t mind having to stand the entire time.  At this point I felt very lucky to be one of the people leaving the horror of London behind.  The train made a stop at Peterborough, about 45 minutes north of London where I was told to get off.  About thirty minutes later another train came that was going straight to York so I was able to get on it.  I arrived at my destination only about eight hours later than planned but felt extremely grateful to be there.  When I arrived at my hotel, I just sat and thought how lucky I was to be there and what a terrible experience for so many people in London who were totally stranded and concerned what might happen next.  I know that prayers kept me safe and my prayers certainly went up for all those who were experiencing the devastation of the day . . . and of the many days to come.

I spent four wonderful days in York and was privileged to get to play the magnificent organ at York Minster.  Richard Shephard, the Precentor of the Minster as well as an accomplished musician and composer, was my guide for a couple of days.  One of the days he said we were going to lunch but that another person would be joining us.  Well, it turned out to be The Very Reverend Robert Willis, the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, himself an accomplished pianist, who was in York on church business.   It was a true pleasure to meet him in a casual setting.  Truly one of my favorites in all of England, the village of York is absolutely fascinating with all the old shops, wonderful places to eat, great history, and, for those four days, gorgeous weather every day.

After York, I traveled back in to London, once again arriving at Kings’ Cross Station.  That was a very awesome feeling as the workers were still trying to dig into the tunnel to bring out the dead from July 7.  The atmosphere and general feeling in London was certainly more guarded and still than in was on July 6 when the city was rejoicing in the announcement that the city would host the next Olympic Games.  What a difference a day makes.

Arriving at my London hotel for the next three days, I met the other people who would join together for our organ tour of England and Wales.  It was an enjoyable group of new friends who mostly were organists also.  In London we again attended services at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.  We returned to St. Paul’s for a performance of the Verdi Requiem by the London Symphony and soloists.  While in London we also played the organs in St. Columba’s, St. Matthew’s Westminster, and St. Bride’s – Fleet Street. 

Leaving London we traveled northwest and heard and played the organs at St. George’s Windsor Castle, Tewkesbury Abbey, Hereford Cathedral, Metropolitan Roman Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool, St. Peter’s in Ruthin, Chester Cathedral.  In Wales, we visited St. Asaph’s Cathedral, St. David’s Cathedral, and Llandaff Cathedral.  Back in England, we visited Bristol Cathedral, St. Mary Redcliffe, and Bath Abbey.  On July 20 we arrived in Winchester where we would be in residence for the next four days for the Southern Cathedrals Choir Festival.  (On our drive to Winchester we just happened to drive by Stonehenge.)  This was truly an exciting four days being totally immersed in the glorious choral and organ music of the choirs from Winchester Cathedral, Chichester Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral.  Again, perfect weather the entire time which made welcome a lot of walking and sightseeing as well.  On the last official day of our tour we attended the Sunday morning services at Salisbury Cathedral, one day before the state funeral of Sir Edward Heath.  Arriving back in London, we attend the Proms concert at Royal Albert Hall for an incredible performance of the “Dream of Gerontius” by the eminent English composer, Sir Edward Elgar.  Before flying home on Tuesday, there was time on Monday for more sightseeing and an evening at the theatre for the new production of “Billy Elliott” which is taking London by storm. 

Upon arriving home my family and I enjoyed another wonderful week at the beach in Carlsbad, and then a week-long cruise of the Mexican Riviera making stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerta Vallarta.

I am truly grateful to so many people who made my sabbatical time possible.  It was the first time in my career to have a sabbatical and it was certainly welcomed.  It was a great time of refreshment, reflection and study.  Now the four months have ended and I am very happy and excited to be back in my post at St. Margaret’s.  I am grateful to Frederick Swann who so capably took the musical reins in my absence.  As we begin a new season, I look forward to a great year of music making!      - JRW