[Magdalen] Music memories

[Grace Cangialosi]

It always takes me surprise when a piece of music triggers an unexpected memory. I was just listening to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" on NPR and remembered the first I ever sang it. I was absolutely there again.

I was 11 or 12, and our junior high choir of 7th and 8th graders--a very large group--sang it for what I remember as the ordination of a deacon. I thought it was the most beautiful piece of music I'd ever heard. The funny thing is that I don't remember anything else about the service, even the bishop, though he would confirm me a year or so later. And in those days there might not even have been Eucharist. I couldn't have received anyway.
For you cradle folks I'll note that our organist/choir director was Kent MacDonald, who I believe was president of the AGO at one point. The church was St. James in Birmingham, MI; rector was Harold Towne; (MISTER Towne, of course!); and I think the ordinand was Fletcher Plant.  He was an older man, so I think he was probably a vocational deacon.