Choristers singing in the ante-chapel
The annual open day was blessed with sunny weather and attracted a crowd of some 25 families with sons eager to learn about chorister life. The visitors were welcomed by Steven Grahl, the Assistant Organist, who has been conducting the choir in Trinity term during Professor Edward Higginbottom’s term of sabbatical leave, and gave a lively sketch of what makes up a chorister.
After listening to the choristers performing a short piece by Mendelssohn, the visitors joined them round the piano to learn an African song with Steven Grahl. He then demonstrated a typical rehearsal with the choristers to show the process of learning music and how the younger boys learn from the older ones.
After listening to the choristers performing a short piece by Mendelssohn, the visitors joined them round the piano to learn an African song with Steven Grahl. He then demonstrated a typical rehearsal with the choristers to show the process of learning music and how the younger boys learn from the older ones.
Dressing up followed, with visitors wearing cassocks and gowns and joining the choristers in a procession into the chapel. The visitors looked very at home as they joined in singing their newly learnt song in the choir stalls. The Chaplain, Dr Jane Shaw, and the head of New College School, Robert Gullifer, gave short presentations about chapel life and how choristers are integrated in the school curriculum, and parents were encouraged to ask plenty of questions, while their children enjoyed games and activites in the nearby Cloisters.
The afternoon ended with tea for everyone in college, where visitors had a chance to talk more informally to staff and current parents and to watch a film of the choir on tour. A large number stayed for evensong, and the chapel congregation was very impressed by the line of young visitors on the front benches who followed the service with admirable concentration and interest.
Families interested in choristerships, whose sons will begin school year three in the autumn, are encouraged to come to the chorister auditions, on Wednesday 29 September. For more information and to register, please contact Edward Higginbottom.
For additional information about chorister life, visit the Choristerships page.
The afternoon ended with tea for everyone in college, where visitors had a chance to talk more informally to staff and current parents and to watch a film of the choir on tour. A large number stayed for evensong, and the chapel congregation was very impressed by the line of young visitors on the front benches who followed the service with admirable concentration and interest.
Families interested in choristerships, whose sons will begin school year three in the autumn, are encouraged to come to the chorister auditions, on Wednesday 29 September. For more information and to register, please contact Edward Higginbottom.
For additional information about chorister life, visit the Choristerships page.
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