The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

Annual Service of the Worshipful Company of Musicians

There is seldom an opportunity to be seated beneath the huge dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, to be surrounded by more than 130 Liverymen in their ceremonial and ordered finery, participating in a Choral Evensong in the traditional Anglican manner, and enjoying splendid music performed by the Royal College of Music String Orchestra.

But one such occasion was on Wednesday, 2^nd October, when the Master, Richard Geldard, Honorary Assistant James Dixon, and Freeman James Carr attended the Annual Service of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

Some time before the service began, those taking part assembled in the Crypt to change, with our own Company’s gold chain and Master’s badge being as always the object of much admiration. We were then marshalled, for want of a better word, into order of seniority, with the Drapers’ Company in the vanguard.

Processing upstairs, the cathedral was already full as members of the Musicians’ Company itself assembled on the south side of the arc facing the altar, whilst members of all the other Companies moved on to the north side.

This service was led by the choir, who sang responses, canticles, an anthem, and the psalms set for the day on our behalf, allowing us to experience the beauty of the music in this iconic setting. There were some readings from the Bible, and prayers were said for the Church, the World and ourselves. 

Of note, there was also a performance of Elgar’s Elegy for Strings, specially composed by the great man himself, once a member of the Musicians’ Company, for these annual occasions.

Overall, we could not but be struck by the acoustics of Wren’s masterpiece, with the echo effect of the dome lingering in the memory.

This was then followed by a reception back in the crypt, as we circulated amongst many of those who had attended the service.

James Dixon