Sherborne Boys’ Music Magazine
Welcome
After a restful break, the Music School is back in full swing, and with the new year starting, that means auditions are beginning for the Choir, Swing Band, ensembles, and orchestras. Lunchtime Recitals start again, and a new series of Music Scholars have been welcomed into the Music School.
Both the staff and pupils have been working hard on various performances, including competitions, orchestral days, music trips, and concerts, as well as one dedicated concert to the staff, who all make musicmaking possible here at Sherborne
In this, the third edition of The Blue Notes, you will find various articles, interviews, and interesting stories about people from both within and outside Sherborne
From music inside the practice rooms, to the life and work of artists, to Desert Island Discs and even Bell Ringing at the Abbey, this edition really is full of music, not just in the Music School but also outside
Happy reading!!!
Sirtaaj G (4a) - Chief Editor
The Blue Notes
Interview by Sirtaaj G (4a)
An interview with...
Head of Academic Music and Brass Co-Ordinator
Mr Costin
What do you think is different about Academic Music here at Sherborne compared to other schools?
Is there a particular piece of music that you listen to a lot of the time?
What is the biggest surprise you think you discovered since taking on role as Brass Co-Ordinator at the school?
If you had to pick a brass instrument to learn, what would you pick? - and why?
Have you always been connected to music when you were younger and was there a certain point when you knew that you wanted to pursue music?
Interview by Sirtaaj G (4a)
An interview with...
Head of Academic Music and Brass Co-Ordinator
Mr Costin
If you were able to meet up with a classical musician who was dead or alive who would it be? – and why?
Is there something specific about the organ and the abbey which has surprised you or which you enjoy compared to other organs you have performed on?
What would you suggest to any pupils who are think about taking on music for GCSE’s or A-Levels and as to why they should consider taking it?
Are there any upcoming or exciting changes happening to the academic side of music here at Sherborne in the coming years?
Is there any certain trai which you enjoy and ma
Interview by Sirtaaj G (4a)
An interview with...
Miss McCormick Music School Manager
What does a normal day see for you at the Music School?
Do you have a musical background? If so, did you ever play a music instrument?
Over the years that you have been here what have you seen change the most in the Music School?
How far in advance do you start planning for major events in the Music School?
What do you find most rewarding about being the Music School Manager?
Interview by Sirtaaj G (4a)
An interview with...
Miss McCormick Music School Manager
What is the most memorable concert that you have seen at the School?
What led you to Sherborne Boys’ and being the Music School Manager here?
Do you have a particular band or genre of music that you enjoy listening to, and is there a specific album?
What are the biggestchallenges you face when organising programmes and timetables for music?
What would you say is the most stressful part about organising events in the Music School?
Lunchtime
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Singing Competition
Sunday 12 October 2025
Tindall Recital Hall, The Music School 2.00pm
This year's singing competition was judged by James Oldfield and involved 17 boys and ranged from three categories The categories: Juniors, Intermediate and Advanced, each having a variety of performers and with each performance being unique in its own way
As the afternoon started off, we began with the Junior Class Throughout this class, we saw highlights from Henry C (4b), Arthur H (5b) and Fred M (3a), each of whom performed beautifully before we moved onto the Intermediate class The intermediate class included seven participants This included performance from Cedric v-S (L6a), Manu M (4g), Oliver B (5e), Jack M (5a), Henry F (5e), James H (L6a) and Hugo T (U6d). After the first two classes of the afternoon, a short tea break was taken before the longawaited Advanced Class took place. During this class, we saw marvellous performances ranging all the way from Grade 7 pieces up to Diploma standard pieces. First we heard from Benji R (L6c), followed by Sebastian K (U6f), Forest P (U6b), Charlie S (L6f) and to close the competition and a great afternoon, we heard from Edward K (5g).
The day concluded with the following results:
Junior Class - 2 00 pm- Winner: Henry C (4a)
Intermediate Class - 2 30 pm- Winner: James H (L6a)
2 Place: Henry F (5e) nd
3 Place: Hugo T (U6d) rd
Advanced Class - 3 50 pm- Winner: Edward K (5g)
2 Place: Sebastian K (U6f) nd
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Overall Winner of the Singing Competition 2025: Edward K (5g)
Singing Competition
The Adjudicator - James Oldfield
James trained at Cambridge University, studying Economics, and the Royal College of Music. He sang as a consort singer with groups such as the Academy of Ancient Music, Polyphony and the Monteverdi Choir.
James’ solo concert appearances include Mendelssohn Elijah with the London Symphony Orchestra and Kurt Masur, Orff Carmina Burana with the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and Gerhard Markson, Rossini Stabat Mater and Puccini Messa di Gloria with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Handel Samson and Judas Maccabeus with the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Haydn Nelson Mass with the RPO, Purcell The Fairy-Queen in the Wigmore Hall, and Handel Messiah with the Huddersfield Choral Society (recorded live). He has performed as a concert soloist in Brussels, Helsinki, Milan, Gdansk, Berlin, Paris, Salzburg, and Yeovil.
His operatic engagements include Achilla in Handel Giulio Cesare and Escamillo in Bizet Carmen for Opera North, Ludd in Ludd and Isis for Royal Opera House, Figaro in Mozart Le Nozze di Figaro for Garsington Opera, and Nick Shadow in Stravinsky The Rake’s Progress for Gothenburg Opera, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and La Monnaie
James divides his time between performing, adjudicating and singing teaching (mostly at Cambridge University) He lives in Surrey and has three children, so rarely gets to sit down
The Blue Notes
Articles
Harmonies, Stories and Tunes
Desert Island Discs
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with Mrs Jackson, Head of Instrumental Studies and Music School Timetables
Johannes Brahms, Symphony No.3 in F Major, Op.90: III. Poco allegretto
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Vespers, Op.37: VI. Bogorodiste Devo
ABBA, Dancing Queen
Desert Island Discs
with Mrs Jackson, Head of Instrumental Studies and Music School Timetables
Evocation: Sandrine Piau, Hebee, Op.2, No.6
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Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte, K 558, Act 1: Terzettino “Sovrastia il vento”
Cecilia Bartoli, Sposa son disprezzata
Desert Island Discs
with Mrs
Head of Instrumental Studies and Music School Timetables
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Jackson,
Joni Mitchell, Little Green
24 Preludes, Op 11: No 15 in D-Flat Major
Desert Island Discs
and Music School Timetables
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with Mrs Jackson, Head of Instrumental Studies
Igor Stravinsky
Article written by Nathaniel B (4e)
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The Life of Jaco Pastorius
Article written by John H (4e)
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Half-Term Harmony:
The Life and Works of
Article written by Mr Lyall (Sch.Cho)
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Sun Ra
Bell Ringing at Sherborne
Article written by Dr Filtness
Change-ringing is an ancient and venerable pursuit, and, whilst the pastime’s precise origins are unknown, it has been (not so) quietly going on around the country since the early 1600s The basic skill of ringing is not too difficult to learn; most can acquire it comfortably within just a few months. It’s a mistake to assume that ringing is physical, and even the smallest Third Former can learn to ring a bell weighing a ton or more by developing good technique As Sherborne Abbey boasts the heaviest ring of eight bells in the world - with a tenor weighing just over 2 3 tonnes - good bell control is essential if you want to ring successfully there. In fact, many boys have rung the Abbey tenor, though it does take quite a bit of practice to get it to do what you want!
Boys (and some girls from SG) have been ringing at Sherborne since 2020, and we are proud to have a strong band of a dozen boys who range from complete beginners and those able to ring reliably in rounds Practice sessions take place on Tuesday evenings, and our advanced ringers also support Sunday Abbey services by ringing beforehand. We are focusing on ringing in ‘rounds’ (staying in order 1 through to 8) with some ‘call-changes’, where the sequence of bells is deliberately altered by swapping over bells in pairs. This is not easy - it requires not only a good level of bell-handling but also the ability to remember where your bell is in sequence relative to everyone else.
In 2023, pupils from Sherborne Boys and Girls commemorated the coronation by entering a pupil-only band to ‘ring for the king’ - the first time the Abbey bells have been rung competitively by pupils from Sherborne schools
If you would like to learn to ring, please contact Dr Filtness. All are welcome.
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Music in the Family
Article written by Mr Byrne
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Save the Dates:
Come and join the Joint Schools’ Wind Band for:
‘A Night at the Movies’
Join the Joint Schools’ Wind Band, including pupils from Sherborne Girls and Boys, as they are conducted by Mrs Jackson through ‘A Night at the Movies’. At this event, you will be able to enjoy films accompanied by the Wind Band live in front of your eyes.
Come and join top class musicians for a:
Diploma Recital
On, Saturday, 15 November, 11.30 am, Sherborne Boys, Tindall Recital Hall
Come and enjoy a morning of music from Sherborne Boys' first-class musicians as they perform their selected programme for their diploma, which they will take later during the term.
Come and join the Sherborne Boys’ Chamber Choir and Sherborne Girls’ Madrigal Society for a:
Joint Schools’ Choral Evensong
On, Wednesday, 19 November, 5.30 pm, Exeter Cathedral
Join the Sherborne Boys’ Chamber Choir as they join forces with the Sherborne Girls’ Madrigal Society for a choral evensong, conducted by Mr Eadon and Mr Cracknell.
Come and enjoy the:
JSSSO & Sinfonia Open Rehearsal
On, Tuesday 2 December, 5.15 pm, Exeter Cathedral
come and watch the Sherborne School Symphony and Sinfonia Orchestras for an open rehearsal. This is an afternoon for members of the public to come and listen to both orchestras as they learn repertoire for upcoming concerts later in the year.
Come and watch a Joint Schools’ Performance of:
Les Misérables
On, Thursday 4, Friday 5, Saturday 6 December, 7.30 pm, BSR, Sherborne Boys
Come and watch pupils from Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls and Sherborne Prep on the stage in the BSR as they perform under the direction of Mr Kirby and the Musical Direction of Mr Marks.
Get into the Christmas season and come along and listen to musicians for a:
Festive Shopping Day
On, Sunday 7 December, 2.00 pm, The Conduit, Cheap Street
Come and enjoy listening to some Christmas songs from various groups and ensembles, including The Sherborne Boys’ Close Harmony and Brass Groups.
Come to Sherborne Boys’ Chapel for an evening of:
Music and Christmas Readings
On, Monday 8 December, 7.30 pm, The Chapel, Sherborne Boys
Come and enjoy a service from the Sherborne Boys’ Chamber Choir in the chapel for an evening of Christmas readings and music.
Come and enjoy an evening of music of:
Sherborne Schools’ Choral Society
Wednesday 11 February 2026, 7.30 pm, Sherborne Abbey
Join the Chamber Choir of Sherborne Boys along with the Sherborne Girls’ Madrigal Society as they perform in Sherborne Abbey, featuring Bernstein’s ‘Chichester Psalms’ and Jenkins ‘The Armed Man’ under the baton of Sherborne Girls’ Director of Music, Mr Cracknell.
Come and hear the...
On, Tuesday 10 March 2026, Cadogan Hall, London
Hear the JSSSO as they perform music by Eric Coates, Edvard Grieg and more at one of the capital’s premier concert halls.
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Closing Notes...
I hope you have enjoyed the third edition of The Blue Notes. My thanks go to Sirtaaj for his incredible work bringing this tome together. I also extend that debt of gratitude to the other many and varied contributors who have given so willingly of their time and talents to create such a worthwhile read – there really is something here for everybody! Here at the Music School we look forward to welcoming you to a concert, service or competition soon and also that you will look out for the next edition of The Blue Notes!
Mr Eadon, Director of Music
Mr Eadon
Mr Marks
Mrs Jackson
Mr Costin
Miss McCormick
Ms Tucker
Dr Filtness
Mr Lyall (Sch.Cho)
Mr Byrne
Nathaniel B (4e) (Sch.Mus)
John H (4e)
Photograph Credit: Miss McCormick, Katharine Davies and Len Copland and Josie
Sturgess Mills
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