Music

After what seemed like a whirlwind two years at St Olave’s, we had to say “Farewell” to Mr Matthew Cook. (I hope it was nothing I said!) With energy in abundance, he took on the St Olave’s Choir and steered them through some exciting and challenging music. Outside Music, he also threw himself headlong into the life of the school in other ways, becoming Head of Year 8 and continuing to coach and support in sporting activities. His enthusiasm for both teaching and the students at the school was appreciated by his colleagues and his pupils, and I thank him and wish him well in his promotion at Sevenoaks School. This year also saw Mr John Castle conduct the Symphonic Wind Band one final time after 23 years of service. I am sure that he will maintain his links with the school, following such a sustained and distinguished contribution to Olavian musical life, and we are indebted to him for all he has done in his time.

Despite these departures, the Music Faculty here has had another impressive season, both “at home and away” this year. Much-loved hardy-perennials such as the Christmas Concert, Mid-Term Concerts and Samba workshops returned again on top form. Much of the credit for making these events so successful should go to the newest member of the Music Faculty dynasty, Mr Jonathan Geoghegan. With him he brought a wealth of experience as a choral scholar himself, a talent for organ playing and his own brand of sardonic wit! Since arriving at the school he has stepped seamlessly into the busy role and been a great support in the work that we do.

It was a quite unbelievable privilege to attend the Diamond Jubilee commemoration arranged at the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in the presence of Her Majesty. A new stained-glass window had been commissioned and installed in the Chapel, along with a commemorative plaque on the wall, with The Queen