Figure 1.--Quite a few prep schools have choirs, but a smaller number have a choir that achieve a high stanndard of singing. This requires a considerable amount of ptactice and specialized training. Not all schools have a staff member with specialized musical training. This can of course be accomplishe in the song or choir schools, but requires a substantial commitment at a regular prep school.. |
The schools have choirs of varying capabilities. Some prep schools include choir schools, but some of the non-choir schools have choirs which have achieved very high standards. Of course a regular prep-school choir can not hope to achieve the standard of the choir schools, but with a talented choir master they can achieve impressive results.
On March 5th we are going to Addington Palace, Croydon, the H.Q of the Royal School of Church Music. There they will attend a day-course for boy choristers. I hope they will enjoy it. It promises to be an ecellent day, conducted by the organist and choirmaster of Wells Cathedral.
C.S. The Aquileon (Belmont School, Feldemore), 1986-87
Music continues to play an enjoyable and ever-present part in school life. We entered the Festival with as much enthusiasm and success as usual. How pleasant it is to see the Festival becoming more of a chance for children to come and make music or to enjoy their Speech and Drama together, rather than being a cut-throat competition. We were the only junior choir at the West Country round of the Choir of the Year competition. The latest ambition of many young boys is to be a percussionist. A school drum kit has joined two personal ones and we must now boast more drumsticks than Bernard Matthews!
P.N. Lee-Smith, Junior Wyvern (Queen's College Junior School), 1989-90.
Under Ben Reynold's quiet and efficient leadership the Chapel Choir has been in very good form this term. I am delighted with the positive way they have responded to the challenges of new music -- a lot of that for some of the younger members -- and particularly in our approach to a richer and more sensitive tone. Colours go to Jonathan Downs, Laurio Gethin, Anna French, John Grogson, Susie McDougall and Francis Maclean; but thanks go to the whole choir for an excellent term. The Beeston Singers have been a lovely group of singers led by Anna French and they have produced a very pleasing tone. They sang two carols very well at the Number One Concert and we have some promising soloists. Junior Choir: We have had the most enthusiastic clutch of young singers this term and I have been delighted with their dedication and the very pleasing tine they have produced at the concert on December 9th. Mark Lintott has been a most reliable head chorister and he is one of several promising soloists.
FB-F and J.C., Surge (Beeston Hall), Autumn 1988.
The girls had another good year of regular practice, leading up to the carol service in the Christmas Term. For the first time the choir was split into two parts and the altos were joined by Kathryn Rolison, Madelein Cullen and my wife. They sang the Welsh lullaby 'Suo Gān' and the carol 'Sleep Safely In the Golden Hay'. At the school comcert in March the girls sang three songs as a dediation to the work of Kathleen Ferrier: 'Blow The Wind Southerly', 'The Keel Row' and Gluck's 'What Is Life To Me Without Thee' from Orfeo ed Euridice. For the first time at this concert one of the girls, Sarah-Jayne Martinsang a solo 'Spread A Little Happiness', a modern version of 'Edelweiss', and Alice Warrener played an alto part on the flute, accompanying a very well-sung duet by Helen Bland and Clare Hind. At our party afterwards, having eaten a very tasty buffet prepared by Mrs Atkinson, and a 'musical' cake, we said farewell to many of the girls who were leaving in the summer, and who would be greatly missed. During the summer term the girls sang a variety of songs by the pop-group Abba, a folk song, 'Sweet and Low' as well as some more two-part music. Next term we shall be practising for Christmas once again, and we are looking forward to singing together with the boys of this year's carol service.
AT, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1984.
Th school has had a year of much activity and considerable achievement. We tried playing music before morning prayers, which was successful, both in settling the school down before prayers, and in giving boys an outlet for playing solos without the formality of a concert. The choir was soon able to cope with the weekly service very ably. The Carol Service in Nailsworth Church was universally appreciated, despite our having to use a piano, as the organ was dismantled for tuning. The choir took part in a Festival of the Arts at Malvern College in March, and obviously enjoyed the occassion, and gained from the experience. Thry were one of only two schools who had prepared an optional 2nd Treble part in one anthem. The next day , King-Holford, Steele, and Winter J. joined an orchestra of over 70 players in a splendid concert. In the summer term, they took part in a music workshop (also with the same instrumentalists, plus Henriques), and sung Evensong successfully at Amberley and Painswick. The later service was particularly successful, the choir -- and staff -- were most grateful to Morrison's and McMeekan's grandparents for a magnificent feast afterwards. ....
Beaudesert Park Magazine, Autumn 1978.
