We are two organists from Scotland who are planning a vacation in the Vancouver area for July 2009. We know that getting a locum to play Sunday services during our vacation is very difficult, so we thought that we would offer our services to a church or churches in Vancouver to allow the resident organist to take a holiday during July. We are most familiar with the worship of the Presbyterian Church and as such, our strengths are hymn playing and choral items, rather than choral service playing. Our plans are at a very early stage, but the outline of our intentions are as follows: late June 2009 arrival in Vancouver, probably on a Friday; Sunday service in a Vancouver church during July play a Sunday service in a Vancouver church; during the week, we would have our vacation part of our trip; probably we would wish to spend some time on Vancouver Island; some time travelling to the north of Vancouver; perhaps some time travelling to the USA; perhaps even some time on a cruise end of July/ beginning of August Return to UK

What we are offering the church(es) one of us would play the Sunday service; and the other would conduct the choir if there were to be a choir contribution in the service if there were to be a choir, the anthems would be arranged with us in advance, prior to our departure from the UK and there would be a choir practice before the service on Sunday practice time in the church would be arranged for Saturday or before the service, depending on our travel arrangements if the church wishes, we would also offer a Sunday afternoon/evening concert of organ music depending on the situation, we could come to the same church for consecutive Sundays, or we could go to several churches for one Sunday each We would be in contact with the relevant church(es) well in advance, to arrange any choral items of worship, and we would hope to have the hymns prior to our departure from the UK, though this is not absolutely essential, provided that the music is available on the Sunday. We would also like details of the organ(s) to ensure that any voluntaries were suitable for the instrument(s). We would regard the experience as enrichment to our own musical lives as Church musicians, and as such, we would not expect a fee for playing, though perhaps travelling expenses from our accommodation to the church would be welcomed. If any church is interested in this offer, we would be pleased to discuss the matter in more detail, and we would provide testimonials from the churches in Scotland with which we are associated. Contact details: e-mail: a.bicket@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk