now boarding

First Night of the Proms

Towards the end of the year, in fact at the last weekend but one, comes the opportunity for the boys to sing at the first night of the proms. This year it was Mahler's 8th, the Symphony of a Thousand; alongside Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall.

It's optional, but say Yes.

It makes for an even busier last few weeks, many additional hours of rehearsal but it's worth it.

Get tickets for the performance through the Cathedral, or failing that, watch it on HD. You won't be disappointed; and the boys? They love it.

 
St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey choirs, plus a choir from Sydney Australia and the Crouch End chorus.

 
The boys, close-up.  

 
Singing with seasoned professionals.

 
... and demanding conductors.  

Britten's Ceremony of Carols

On Saturday the boys performed one of the most beautiful choral works I have yet heard; Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols. This seems to be a bit of a tradition at the Cathedral and I remember Wolcum Yole from last year's school carol service (when Tom sang an echo solo in While by my sheep). What makes it particularly perfect for the boys is that it's just them, the boy trebles and a harp. No adult male voices, no organ, just our boys.

Of course we are lucky enough to get very good seats right at the front and I'm sure that makes a difference. Although the sounds carry when all voices sing together, the solo harp can be very subtle when you're at the west end of the nave.

There is a fascinating story behind the work; of him writing it on a Swedish cargo vessel returning from America to his home in Suffolk. The cramped conditions and the ever present threat of u-boat attack (it was 1942) seem an unlikely setting for composing such a joyful piece, maybe he was just happy to be coming home (Britten was an acknowledged pacifist).

We were so very proud of Tom; he was stood in the middle of the front row next to the Head Chorister. Looking every inch a chorister himself. 

What I think the Cathedral does very well is to mix worship and music. This ceremony) offered as a 'devotional preparation for Christmas') started off with prayer but concluded with theatre; the boys recessing out, singing Hodie Christus, waited a few minutes in the Dean's Aisle, then returned to a well-earnt rapturous applause from the congregation.

 

Concerts, concerts, concerts

Last week saw a brief series of concerts for the boys and girls. Sadly Tom's mu and I couldn't attend them all, that seems to be the way as we try to squeeze everything in.

On the wednesday there was a performance where the children in year three played various instruments. This was in school time and Tom's mum went along. Tom's being playing Cello for less than nine months now but still managed very well.

Then after school on Friday, years 3,4,5 choristers and pros gave a brief concert - short, relaxed and with a glass of wine afterwards (as always), the aim was to get the boys comfortable with performing in front of an audience, and especially to get the boys used to performing solos. 

The 12 boys sang a selection of pieces, here are a few examples:

Consider yourself (from Oliver) by Lionel Bart

Silent Worship by Handel

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square b y Manning Sherwin

The Cloths of Heaven by Thomas Dunhill

I bought me a cat by Copland.

It was a lovely broad range of material - now I'm not an expert but there were some classic singing pieces and what I'd describe as show tunes.

Tom had what many thought was the most difficult slot, singing first with Consider Yourself which he deliverd beautifully. He was joined by everyone for the last verse, which was clever as it gave everyone a good warm-up and 'broke the ice'.

It was interesting to see and hear how Tom had developed since we last heard him solo (at our small Church last Christmas). Those year five boys were clearly more advanced - technically and, given their physical age, most had a better set of lungs!

What we find amazing is that at this age there appear to be no nerves, no stage fright, all without being over confident. Sadly I think, nerves are what we pick-up though later life although of course they can be a good thing.

And to show their thanks, the head chorister presented their singing teacher with a well deserved and huge bouquet of flowers. 

Then Monday was the Summer concert at one of the many local city churches. Sadly we didn't manage to get to this. It featured several choirs, orchestras and music groups. 

It's lovely how much the school supports music, not just the roots of the choir and the cathedral but also giving every child a great opportunity to express themselves through music.

More prep and music practice

The next day after Tom's birthday I went in to visit.

I'm never too sure what prep he has, each day it's different, we have a schedule pinned up in the kitchen so I should know. Anyway Tom said he'd done his prep and had tucked into some colouring. He loves drawing - he really does but at school his appetite is never satisfied, so when he has the chance, he makes the most of it. At home I have a large whiteboard in our spare room / office and Tom is regularly covering it with expansive, detailed drawings. I wish they had a whiteboard in the boarding house for doodling on.

The evening includes two 20 minute slots, one for academic prep, the other for music practice. A fire alarm type bell indicates turn-around, that way half the choristers practice whilst the other half do prep. Makes sense but as a parent, you kind of figure it out as it's not yet been completely clear as to what you do, when and your permissions.

Apparently one parent used to hang around in the dining hall (where most of the prep gets done) whilst his son practiced (upstairs), unaware he could join in.

This evening Tom was quite clear he had cello and piano to practice and I love watching / listening.

Tom even volunteered to ask the director of music if we could take the cello home for half term - we could. Apparently the cello is as good as Tom's until he grows out of it, which is nice. 

Helping with prep

I love visiting Tom and helping with prep. We only get an hour (6.30-7.30) but within that time we do academic prep for 20 minutes or so and then instrument practice. Maybe once a week, then mom visits one day too.

He was tired this day I took these pics (they'd been swimming that afternoon, and had extra choir practice) so some tasty subtraction (with 'borrowing') was just what he needed.

What was nice was that we stopped after 20 minutes - we hadn't finished, but that was OK.

Then we popped upstairs and found a practice room. One of his older mates helped us find a vacant room (all the boys are so very helpful).

The piano's are in lovely condition considering the use they must get. This was an ebony Yamaha. Tom seems much more driven and enthusiastic with piano now; even taking us through his vocal exercises on Friday evening when he came home.