Farncombe Estate is a conference centre set in an attractive area of the Cotswolds. Moreton-in-Marsh is the nearest town. At weekends courses in arts and crafts are held, and the West Gallery music course is new to the estate's calendar.

20 people attended the course, on paper well balanced in numbers between the four voices and instruments. In the event a preponderance of the male singers opted for bass rather than tenor, so it was necessary to follow the West Gallery custom of strengthening the tenor line with soprano voices singing an octave higher. Much of the repertoire was in three parts, so that the tenor shortage was not a problem.

A visit to nearby church of St Michael's, Buckland, took place, and six brave singers ventured into the small space in the west gallery left by the installation of an organ. They rendered "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning", and then more singing by the whole group took place in the nave of the church.

On the Saturday evening a rest from singing gave an opportunity for individual members to sing or recite their party pieces, interspersed with readings from the works of Thomas Hardy.

Downloadable music for the course appears here, and details of next year's course here.

Francis Roads
francis.roads@gmail.com.