Which Moore Are You?

The Salvation Army is really a small world.  A very, very small world.

Last Sunday I was reminded of that when I went to the meeting.  I'd been phoned up by Ira early to ask if I would mind playing piano that morning as she was not able to be there, so even though I'd intended maybe having a little sleep in for a change and skip the meeting, I said I would do it anyway.   Unfortunately though, after that conversation, which took place when I was half asleep (come on, the day before was the France trip, I was tired!), I promptly went back to sleep and was rudely awakened at 9.45 by my alarm clock.  Panic stations, there's only 45 minutes til the meeting - and I've got to get there early and learn all the songs!  Quick shower, chuck on some clothes, run out the door - and I made it by 10.20.  Phew, I thought, as I ran in the door (ignoring the welcome ladies because hey, I'm in a rush!) - I'll just have 10 minutes or so to have a quick run through of the music, and it'll be right. 

But then I was accosted by Graeme, accompanied by 3 Salvation Army officers.  Oh cripes, what's going on here?  "Kylie!" he calls out from the comfy chairs in the foyer, "Come over here a sec!"  Hmmm.  Over I go - what can he want?

"These officers are from Australia" he said.  Ok, I thought, care factor?  But better do the polite thing.  "Hi, how are you?" I responded.  And on it went from there.  So Graeme introduced me to the first bloke, something-or-other Maxwell, and in the course of the introduction he used my full name.  Surprising, because to be honest, not many people at Sutton actually know my last name.  It's never been an issue.

Anyway, I remember a few years ago meeting Earle Maxwell, the General's chief of staff or something, so I wondered if this one was related.  Also I remembered that there was a Maxwell once at Albion corps, where Nanny and Grandpa go.  So I asked him if he was that Maxwell.  "Oh no", he said, "that's my brother".  

Then the other officers piped up.  "Oh we used to be at Albion, who is your Nan?"  So I told them.  Yep, they remembered Nanny and Pop - these guys were the Maclarens, and they were at Albion for quite a while, if I recall rightly.  So we had a little chat, which was quite pleasant, and then as it was wrapping up (and I was thinking, I better get to the piano real quick),  the Maxwell fella asked that one question that I only ever get asked in Army circles - "So, which Moore are you?"  Hm...big sigh...

"Barry", I said.  "Oh, Barry!" came the response, followed by questions about whether Dad still plays the organ, statements to all and sundry as to how good he is on the organ, what wonderful music he writes, when they last heard him play... - and bear in mind, I'm about to go and play piano for the service, having not played for 2 months, and not knowing the songs - and they're going on about how fab Dad is as a musician...  Talk about pressure, eh?  Just what you need 5 minutes before the meeting starts!

Reminded me of the time I performed at a Youth Demonstration at Congress.  Some burke gets up and introduces me like this - "And now Barry Moore's daughter will play Mozart Sonata in C"... thanks very much!  Let's just pile on a little bit 'moore' pressure, eh?  Like I wasn't nervous enough!

Suffice to say on both occasions, I'm sorry to report, I didn't exactly live up to family name... not surprising, really...