Rylstone Psalmody: Sing and play the lost church music of the Dales - Cracoe Village Hall

Country Psalmody, or West Gallery Music, was the music of church choirs and bands known to Thomas Hardy and the Brontes in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 2024, a descendant of John Summerskill 1805 - 1883, parish clerk at Rylstone St Peters donated a manuscript of hymn tunes and anthems to Craven Museum. Evidence points to this having been written by John Summerskill and in use at St Peters until the 1850s.

Paul Guppy has transcribed a selection of tunes from the manuscript which we plan to perform with singers and instrumentalists for the first time in over 150 years. Paul is a retired musical instrument repairer. For forty years he has been active in Lancasters musical life as a double bass and tuba player but particularly as leader of the Gladly Solemn Sound West Gallery Choir

When you book you must state your voice type (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and/or instrument.

Music
All scores will be provided on the day.
Transposed scores can be provided, with at least one weeks advance notice, by contacting Paul Guppy gladlysolemn.guppy@gmail.com

Singers
Knowledge of written music is useful but competent singers who learn quickly by ear are welcome. Please state your voice part when booking (SATB).

Instruments and instrumentalists
Country psalmody was accompanied by a church band doubling the voice parts. Suitable instruments are orchestral and band instruments (strings, wind and brass). Unsuitable are chordal instruments (e.g. melodeons, accordions, guitars etc. Concertinas are suitable).
Players should be able to read music and play reasonably well since their function is to lead the singers.
Please bring your own music stand.

Venue
Cracoe Village Hall, Cracoe, Skipton BD23 6LQ is just off the B6265 6 miles north of Skipton.
The hall has a large car park and is fully accessible.

Please bring your own lunch.