In Tune with Heaven Which Is the Singing of Regular Singing in Primary Schools Is on the Choral Services in the Chapel

2011 – 2012 In Tune With Heaven which is the singing of regular singing in primary schools is on the choral services in the Chapel. Our increase, as people realise the I write this as we return from a very boys receive financial assistance educational value of this activity, successful tour of the Netherlands, towards an excellent all-round and although the repertoire is more where Chapel Choir gave concerts education at the Pilgrims School, likely to be secular than sacred, we in some of the very finest buildings and the opportunity to learn two must be grateful that youngsters are over there: in Haarlem, Leiden, instruments and to sing with being given the opportunity to sing. Gouda and Dordrecht. Touring for experienced young ‘back row’ It is therefore essential that our choirs is essential. It not only singers, many of whom have been cements into place both choral foundations continue to choristers and Quiristers nourish and foster high musical relationships and musical themselves, and who often go on to standards, but it also takes abroad standards: the work of choristers the take up choral scholarships at world over is beyond value and our heritage, and the very precious university. They get the chance to English choral tradition which is so culturally and educationally vital. tour, to record and to broadcast on envied the world over. The magical triangle of great music national TV and radio. It is a sung in great buildings as part of While we were in Holland, I was tradition which feeds itself and is worship is indeed a potent force. interviewed for a National Christian passed on to others. Our Quiristers are receiving an newspaper about my work at That culture does not exist in education which is second to none, Winchester College and as a Holland except in two places, and and which teaches them many composer, conductor and organist. singing in choirs over there is a very important life skills in addition to The one question which fascinated much more part-time activity. There musical skills. It is indeed wonderful my interviewers was whether it is are very few boys’ choirs, and those that this is being recognised in a possible to achieve the same high that do exist do not rehearse as College development campaign standards of singing with Dutch often as our boys do. I had to admit which includes the Quiristers and children that we can achieve in our to my newspaper interviewer, that, the safeguarding of their future. British choral foundations. My even in England, boys singing in The standing ovations which we immediate response was to say, parish church choirs is on the received for Chapel Choir’s singing ‘yes, of course, in theory, since decline, and many parish choirs are in Holland emphasised the high children are the same the world now boys and girls, and some girls regard which the rest of the world over and, on the whole, they enjoy alone. Of course, many cathedrals has for the English Choral tradition, singing’. However, on thinking now have a girls’ choir in addition to and our chance to share our further about this question, I the boys’ choir, and this has been a expertise with other nationalities considered the infrastructure and wonderful enriching of the tradition and cultures must be a crucial part cultural traditions which have without putting the boys’ choirs at of our work and our privilege. enabled us to reach the standards risk. of singing so accepted as the norm Malcolm Archer, in this country. For instance, at It would indeed be a sad day if the Director of Chapel Music Winchester College, the wisdom of only places where boys’ choirs exist William of Wykeham has ensured are cathedrals and collegiate that boys have been singing in the foundations, but already, that is choir for well over 600 years, and becoming the case. In a post- their expertise is handed down from Christian society, church going is one generation of boys to another. not a priority and boys are more We have the advantage of a likely to be playing in weekend structure for the boys which involves soccer teams than singing in a daily rehearsals, and a raison d’ être church choir. On the positive side, Quirister Prizes 2010 – 2011 The Gordon Rule Cup for Head Quirister James Mathews The Corrie Cup for the Quirister who has contributed most to the life of the School Luke Berry The Dennis Lee Prize for the best all round Quirister of the Year Frederick Hervey-Bathurst The Coulson Cup for any junior member of the choir who shows sustained effort Johnny Woodman The Simon Beechey Prize for solo singing James Mathews The John Weekes Prize for the most promising soloist Jasper Wigley The Robertson Prize for all-round contribution to the choir Peter Waters The Stenning Cup for the most improved musical ability Wilfie Bentley The Ford-Sagers Cup for instrumental work James Flory The Sever Cup for the outstanding Quirister sportsman James Flory The Q School Cup for the boy who has contributed most to life at Q School Matthew Iddeson Head Quirister (2011-2012) Peter Waters Second Quirister (2011-2012) Myles Docherty Paddy Watson (Master of Quiristers and Headmaster of The Pilgrims’ School) I have been asked on a number of occasions about things which have surprised me during my first year and without doubt the wonderful part the Quiristers play in the lives of the two Schools is high on the list. Before taking up – in fact I think it was even before applying for – my post, I remember being invited by Cathy Townsend to join her for Compline one Saturday evening and I have to say I had my breath taken away: I knew a little of the tradition, that this office had been being sung continuously and according to the will (in both senses of the word) of William of Wykeham for some six hundred years but little could I have imagined the sublime power of that calm, gentle, reflective act of worship in the Chantry Chapel. Since then I have also joined the boys who sing in the College Chapel Choir with present Wykehamists and the wonderful and gifted Malcolm Archer for Evensongs, Eucharists and of course their marvellous outings to local churches and groups where they not only sing from the Anglican repertoire but also a lively range of secular songs. On all occasions, accompanied or not, the boys are a complete credit to themselves, a source of delight and admiration for those who come to hear their music. They are a professional choir; they are a happy choir; they clearly love their music too and in amongst the many expressions of gratitude I would most certainly add my own as their prep school Headmaster not only for the music itself but also for the awareness of history and beauty the boys bring into our community. Oh – and they’re pretty nifty and make a good sound whizzing about in the yard on their scooters too! They are a joy and it is an honour and a privilege to be part of the Foundation. Steve Leslie (New Quirister Housemaster) After working at Pilgrims’ School for the past five years as Assistant Housemaster and Head of Geography, I am thoroughly looking forward to the privilege of becoming Housemaster at Q School from September. My background is in Outdoor Education; starting in 1993 I worked for many years in residential centres, as well as teaching in more conventional classrooms - Q Housemaster will neatly distil the most rewarding parts of these two responsibilities. There are many aspects of the role that will make this an exciting one, whether continuing to maintaining the standards set by Andy Shedden, supporting the impressive musical tradition or just the opportunity to be more closely involved with the unique group of boys that is the Quiristers and, of course, with Malcolm Archer. In particular, my family’s closer association with Q School, I am sure, will bring us many happy times, now and in the future. Page 2 A goodbye from the Quirister Andy has really dedicated his time ...his endless patience, his respect Parents to Andy Shedden towards James - and all the boys. for the boys and, in turn, their (Quirister Housemaster) He always has a cheery smile, lively respect for him. His faith in the conversation and really does look boys and their trust of him. His Andy Shedden will become for the best individual achievement sense of humour in caring for them Registrar at Winchester College in of each boy under his care, which is whilst retaining discipline. He September 2012 the epitome of good teaching seems to allow them to have fun but practice. never be out of control. The boys seem to find him completely Andy Shedden, primarily, as a most He faces problems head on and impressive registrar, was approachable whenever they have deals with them discreetly and any sort of problem, big or small responsible for our move from firmly. St John’s College School, (and no problem is deemed too Cambridge to Pilgrims’ School. Claire McBratney small). Finally, his championing of the Quiristers and fighting their Andy has looked after two Q Andy was there for Tomas and our corner when they need it fought for! Docherty boys. His care of them family whilst I was having cancer Always understanding their has been first class. He has been commitments and looking for the both mentor and friend. He treatment; he was a rock and gave total support and kindness.

Load more