Although Ronald was an enthusiastic singer, who loved G&S and choral singing, there was not often music to be heard in our house (apart from Jane practising the piano).  Mum's taste in music was pretty much a mystery to us all.  So in choosing music for the service I had to be creative.

For the entry we decided to pick something played by Noriko Ogawa, on the basis that Mum & Dad had a friendship with Noriko and her partner Philip Smith (both of them concert pianists).  They had met Philip's parents through bowls and made a point of attending Philip's recitals in Colchester, meeting Noriko there.  As Philip does not record, we selected a well-known piece of Debussy played by Noriko (who is quite prolific and has recorded all of Debussy's solo piano music).  We found some lovely notes written to Mum by Noriko over the years.

The hymn was simply my choice because of the sense of time it expresses, with the day reflecting a lifetime.  I chose the King's College choir version because you can hear the words!

The exit piece was another tenuous connection, this time with the composer and choral conductor John Rutter.  Mum & Dad had attended one or two of his "Come and Sing" days (coincidentally held at Culford School, where I took my A levels).  I chose one of his several variants on standard church blessings.