Annual General Meeting with supporting attraction and start of 75th celebration year

To mark the 75th anniversary of the re-founding of the Essex Organists’ Association (then known as the Chelmsford & District Organists’ Association) after the Second World War in June 1950, by the then Master of the Music at Chelmsford Cathedral, Dr Stanley Vann, this year’s Annual General Meeting took place at Chelmsford Cathedral and was followed by a special Choral Evensong and a meal at a nearby restaurant. The 75th Annual General Meeting, which took place in the Cathedral Chapter House, marked the end of Philip Prior’s seven-year Presidency of the EOA. Then came a special celebratory service of Choral Evensong, with the new EOA President, Dr Emma Gibbins – who is Director of Music at Chelmsford Cathedral – conducting, in the Cathedral at 3.30pm. This was followed by an informal drinks reception in the Cathedral to which all the congregation, choir members and clergy were invited. Samuel Bristow, Assistant Organist at Chelmsford Cathedral, played for the service. The concluding voluntary was the premiere of a new work composed by Sam, called “Essex Paean”. This work was specially commissioned by the EOA to mark the 75th Anniversary. A copy of this commission has been made available to current EOA members with this newsletter. At 5.30pm, 15 people, including the new EOA President Emma Gibbins, former EOA Presidents Philip Prior and Richard Brasier, and the composer Samuel Bristow, went for a group meal at a nearby Italian restaurant, Il Palazzo – a very sociable and enjoyable conclusion to a very special afternoon of music and celebration. Whilst thanks are due to everyone who attended or was involved in some capacity, particular thanks are owed to EOA Committee members Andrew Stevens and Michaela Cottee for organising the refreshments, to former President Philip Prior for making all the arrangements with the Cathedral and the restaurant, and to Samuel Bristow for his composition. Special thanks are owed to the new President Emma Gibbins who not only curated a wonderful musical service, but who also spent several hours making and icing special ‘organ stop’ biscuits which were enjoyed by the choristers, and others, after the service.