Swansong of a
Musical
Director
(the
final movement)
Gerard
Callacher, Musical Director at St Faith's for over ten years, left his
post at the end of
July, 2006 as he began preparations to train for the
priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church - the church of his upbringing.
He returned to join Fr Neil in a
programme of piano duets to end the 2006 Summer
Saturday concerts. Following
the recital, pefromed to a full and very appreciative church,
there was a presentation to
Ged from members of St Faith's and St Mary's.
Ged begins his training at Ushaw
Seminary, Durham, in September, and we hope very
much that he will be able to
come back and entertain us as often as his new duties allow.
Below the
photos you can read what Ged said in his farewell speech of
thanks after the concert.
Follow the
links at the foot of this page for the events of Ged's last
Sunday as Musical
Director (at St Faith's, at the Metropolitan Cathedral, and at
leisure!) and to access other
pages about music at St Faith's.
And
Ged Said....
I want to thank everyone who
contributed to my very generous gift,
which will certainly be put to good use. I first came to St Faith’s
when I was 16, and sang as a bass in the choir. I used to play for the
10 am mass at St Joan of Arc and get a taxi to St Faith’s and arrive
just in time to improvise during communion and to help Jane Greengrass
with the pedals, because she wasn’t an organist.
Then when Jane left I reluctantly too over – and the rest, as they say,
is history. I’ve had 11 wonderful years at St Faith’s as Director of
Music. Like any other job, it’s been a case of trial and error, but
that whole process has been very rewarding in so many ways. I’ve been
very grateful for the unstinting support of people here who have helped
and encouraged me over the years. Fr Richard, who took me on in the
first place; Fr George, who started me on the organ and gave me such
sound advice and encouragement; Fr Dennis, always keen to offer a kind
word of appreciation; and more recently Fr Neil, who has been so
supportive and such good fun to work with over the last seven years.
Neil has been blessed with an exceptionally keen sense of pitch, and
has been quick to spot the odd ‘accidental’ which I hadn’t noticed!
St Faith’s is a very special place. It’s very to take it for granted,
but believe you me, there are few churches, if any, that can come near
the standard of music and liturgy we have here – certainly on
Merseyside. All this doesn’t come without a good deal of hard work, and
I’d like to thank the choir for all their tremendous hard work, loyalty
and friendship over the years. Choir practices have involved, as well
as all the hard work, a great deal of fun and laughter, often
outrageous!
The church is more than the choir and clergy, and I’d also like to
thank all the people of St Faith’s and St Mary’s for all your support
and encouragement: not only regular members of the congregation, but
all who come to swell the choir numbers for special occasions, or to
attend services and recitals. Many of you often take the trouble to
offer a word of thanks to the choir and myself. These comments
certainly don’t go unnoticed.
I’d like to say a huge thank you also to Stephen Hargreaves for his
wonderful playing and invaluable support as a friend and colleague.
Last of all, I’d like to say a big thank you to my family for their
unstinting support and love; not only of course during my time at St
Faith’s but from the word go.
Please remember me in your prayers as I go forward to begin my priestly
formation. I certainly won’t forget you. It’s a case of au revoir, not
goodbye. So au revoir it is – and God bless.
Ged
Three of St Mary's
congregation drink the health of the ex-Director of Music!
Pictures: Chris Price and Bill Tuidhope
Click
here for the events of Ged's last Sunday at St Faith's
