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This is the archived 2009 Christmas Newsletter.
A Christmas Message from Charles Timberlake 2009
Photograph (Portsmouth Cathedral) by Chris Smith
Christmas message number five! It hardly seems possible! As ever this is written for you with my love and best wishes, and continued grateful thanks for your support and encouragement.
As I begin to think about writing it is the season of Remembrance. On Sunday I attended morning service in my home church, St Peter's, after which the congregation processed through the streets to the war memorial for the two minutes' silence. It is the one time in the year that you can walk through The Square safely without any traffic! In the evening it was lovely to have been a part of the audience in Portsmouth Cathedral for a number of works including Fauré's beautiful Requiem. And of course there was the magnificent Service of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall on television the previous evening. I always find the falling poppies particularly moving. As I write this coming Sunday is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a day of commemoration across the world to the memory of those killed on our roads.
On Remembrance Day itself, at eleven o'clock, the two minutes' silence continues to be rightly observed year after year. Isn't it amazing, and wonderful, that so many take the time out to remember in this way? And there is something for me about the silence – it is a hectic world we live in, yet we know that for these two minutes up and down the country, indeed across the world though at different times, there is an enormous sense of peace and reflection. And it is that sense of innermost peace that I, along with John (Daniels), have tried to convey, through our music.
One of the highlights for me of 2009 was meeting John again. Having gone to live in the States some seven years ago this was his first visit back to this country. It was a real joy seeing him again and spending time together – and comparing, too, how different our living environments are! He lives with his family in Texas and writes the music score for the weekly American television programme Day of Discovery. We have been working on a new album, entitled A Time For All Things, which, all being well, should be ready at Easter – always a lovely time of year to bring out something new. One of my friends likens each new CD release to giving birth – to the point of sending me a 'Congratulations on your new baby' card!! I am really excited because for the first time we are recording our arrangements of well-known popular ballads. John has written some beautiful orchestrations for songs such as The Rose, Always On My Mind and The Power of Love. As well as three worship songs and our own material we are also including three popular hymns! So something for everyone!
It was a privilege to have been invited to perform at two Christian Resources Exhibitions this year – in Exeter in February and at Sandown Park in May. The latter is the largest and most well-known Exhibition, with many thousands of visitors through the doors. I had a slot within the 'Spotlight' section on each of the four days – including having fun with the audience just prior to a cookery demonstration by chef Kevin Woodford – my passion for playing games with audiences led to a short guessing game of tunes on the subject of food and drink!
Thank you to all the church fellowships I have played to during the year – there have been some really warm, intimate concert evenings. The Cathedral tour took me to seven cities, including two that I confess I had never visited – Peterborough and Ely. What gems they both are! It is hard to explain what it feels like to be playing in such magnificent places of worship – and on beautiful pianos in most cases too! Thank you to all the Cathedral staff, and to all those who came along to listen, for making me feel so welcome.
The last twelve months has not been an easy time for many people, financially and in other ways; and economic problems and issues can, as we know, lead to other difficulties. It is heartening to know that our music has been a source of comfort and strength. Earlier in the year I had a telephone call from a lady who lives in my home village – she had just had a visit from her physiotherapist to whom she had given a CD as a Christmas present. Apparently the physio had another lady client who has MS and who had been suffering from severe depression for about two years. The physio had been playing tracks to this lady, who started singing along and showing the first signs of animation for a long while. Wow!
I hope that you have enjoyed some time out this year. Work and play go together, and holidays are important. I have been told that the secret of a holiday is to start planning the next one as soon as one comes to an end! I have been very fortunate in being able to spend time in France this year – a country I love. It always comes as a bit of a shock coming back to England where I find things quite hectic – somehow just across the Channel there is less of an aggressive culture and people have time for each other. I think it is important that we try and make every effort to do the same.
Just finally, I was struck by something I came across in a recent daily reading and wanted to share it with you. In a survey people were asked if they had their life over again what would they do differently. Mmm… it's a difficult one, isn't it? Apparently three answers constantly stood out: (1) I'd spend more time with my family and friends; (2) I'd take more risks; (3) I'd do things that would live on after I've gone. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity of writing music and producing recordings that are going to be around and continue to touch hearts long after me!
I wish you and your loved ones a very happy and peaceful Christmas.