A few days after Messiah, we were invited to drinks with the Dean. If you get this invitation as a Chorister Parent (or anyone else for that matter), do go. As far as I could see the turnout from the school itself was a little on the low side; but for us that's good. Better access to the clergy and others of interest.
We're really developing good relationships with many of the other Chorister parents, which is understandable given the frequency with which we see them and the circumstances so it's nice to be able to mix with the Cathedral clergy too.
I happened to get myself into a small (male) group including two fathers who also happen to be ex-choristers (mid to late 70's); then the Director of music (the choirmaster) joined us and then the Dean. I hadn't really spoken to the Dean before, other that the niceties one tends to exchange after a service. We talked about many things - a few amusing anecdotes (as you could imagine) and there was a fair amount of musical chat (which I was barely able to keep up with). What was interesting is that there's a real chance of new recordings by the choir, including our boys.
This hasn't happened for a few years but is something both the music department and Cathedral are right behind.
It's always lovely to talk over a glass or two of red with such knowledgeable, esteemed and sociable company and it's also part of maintaining a strong bond between the Cathedral, the Cathedral School and the parents.
Next week there are a number of parties with the boys too and on Christmas day itself a lunch with the boy choristers, vicars choral, school staff and some of the Cathedral staff. that will itself be a special occasion.
