Choir association newsletter Autumn 2016

StCollege John’s Choir Choir Association

Welcome

to the Autumn 2016 edition of the Choir Association Newsletter Two new Choir CDs coming up The new disc, entitled ‘Christmas with St John’s’, will include some newly composed music, including Cecilia McDowall’s 2012 O Oriens, John the Baptist, written by Michael Finnissy for the Choir’s 2014 Advent Service and Creator of the Stars of Night by John Scott (Organ Scholar 1974-78). There will also be old favourites in the shape of Silent Night, in an arrangement by Mark Blatchly, and the ever popular The Holly and the Ivy and O Little Town.

Recording for the subsequent disc took place over the summer and the Chapel was filled with the sound of celestial harp and Czech consonants as the Choir made a new recording of Janáček’s Otčenáš. This will be joined by Masses by Poulenc and Kodaly on a disc to be released next year.

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Exceptional success for first recording on new College label Deo, the Choir’s recording of music by Jonathan Harvey, has achieved enormous critical and commercial success since its release in May. Reviews included five stars in BBC Music Magazine, The Observer and Choir & Organ, and an Editor’s Choice selection from Gramophone, while BBC Radio Three’s Record Review described the disc as ‘Absolutely outstanding’.

ecstatic and richly challenging The Observer

The recording is the first on the College’s new record imprint on Signum Classics which will now release all Choir recordings, as well as discs by the other outstanding musicians among the College community.

Launched with a special Evensong on 20 May, the CD entered the specialist classical charts at number two and remained in the top twenty until mid-June.

We are hugely grateful to donors to the ‘Minute of Music’ campaign, without whom this recording would not have been possible. There will also be chance to donate to future recordings – details on the ‘Support’ pages on the Choir website.

absolutely outstanding

BBC Radio Three Record Review

An essential disc, outstanding on every count Gramophone

spellbinding clarity MusicWeb International

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nuanced and exhilarating… utterly assured BBC Music Magazine

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Bursary Reports Johnny Hyde writes...

I am incredibly grateful for the grant that the Choir Association made to me in September 2015, which enabled me to continue my studies at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I sang as a baritone for the Choir of St John’s College 2011-2014 and was pleased to move immediately into the conservatoire environment, catching up on the soloistic training which some of my peers at College were already beginning to master. I felt there was some urgency in developing these skills but, due to my being from a low-income family, the funding of my studies was a daunting obstacle.

Thanks to the support of the Choir Association, and generous scholarships from the Guildhall, I’ve been able to receive the very best training in Italian Opera, stagecraft, movement, art song, German Lied, French mélodie, and Oratorio amongst many other exciting projects. Without your support this simply wouldn’t have been possible. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve now been able to study for four years with Robert Dean, one of London’s most respected teachers for baritone voice. It has been a transformative two years of postgraduate training and I am pleased to be graduating with Distinction in November. Thank you once again. I hope to make the most of this gift in the years to come.

James Geidt writes...

From an early age I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in singing. I gained extensive choral experience as a Chorister at St John’s, Choral Scholar at New College, Oxford and later, as a Lay Clerk at Gloucester Cathedral. However, although I enjoyed choral

singing, I always had aspirations to be a soloist and at Oxford I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take part in some student opera. I realised that this was something I wanted to pursue.

In 2015 I was accepted on the Master’s course at The Royal Academy of Music. As a former Chorister, I approached the St John’s Choir Association for help with the fees and thanks to their generosity, I was able to start at the ‘RAM’.

The Master’s course offers intense preparation for the life of a professional singer. In addition to twiceweekly individual singing lessons, there is vocal coaching from RAM and visiting tutors. With drama and song classes and preparation, my timetable is very busy. We also have specialist language teaching.

This rich and full curriculum allows students to really focus on their singing development; there are always things to improve and it is great to be able to focus on the finer details and make the most of the facilities and expertise on offer. Being surrounded by like-minded people with the same goals is both inspiring and motivating.

Through taking this course at RAM my singing and performing will improve and develop. The opportunities that can come as a result are vast; it will enable me to work across all platforms – Opera, Oratorio and Song Recitals. Many Opera companies refuse auditions to people who have not studied at a Conservatoire. I will be applying for Opera Schools this Autumn and the training the Master’s course has given me will, I hope, stand me in good stead.

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Goodbye and Thanks to SJCS Headmaster Kevin Jones

The history of St John’s College School dates from the seventeenth century, and July 2016 marked the end of a significant chapter in that history and period of evolution – the retirement of Kevin Jones, following an impressive 26 years as Headmaster.

Such longevity (in addition to two years as an English teacher prior to his appointment as Headmaster) means that Kevin is well known to many of the Choir alumni, and former Choristers in particular will be fully aware of what an outstanding Headmaster he has been. I feel very fortunate to have had first-hand experience of Kevin’s work, firstly as a Choral Scholar during his early days as Headmaster, and latterly as a parent of three children at the school.

St John’s College School has gone from strength to strength under Kevin’s leadership. The academic record is strong, with a high proportion of pupils gaining awards to their next schools, and the musicmaking, drama and sport throughout the school excellent.

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However what makes St John’s College School truly outstanding is its ethos. The children’s happiness and well-being is paramount, providing an environment where a childhood can remain magical, with the pressures of appraisals and testing carefully managed.

The school is innovative, for instance pioneering E4L (Emotions for Learning) and Mindfulness, in its search to stretch and broaden pupils’ experience.

The result has been, as much as possible, confident and happy children who buzz with energy. Glowing Ofsted reports (“inspirational”), Tatler’s Best Prep School award, and Kevin himself receiving Best Prep School Headmaster Award in 2013 are deserved acknowledgment of these strengths.

This has been achieved against a background of modesty and humility. As former Dean, the Rev Dr Andrew Macintosh, explained at Kevin’s final Speech & Sports day, Kevin did not actually apply for the post; it would appear that the shortlist of candidates simply were not what the Governors were looking for, and they decided to look at the talent already on the staff. Such an un-showy start, followed by years of dedication and innovation, captures what it is all

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Such longevity means that Kevin is well known to many of the choir alumni, and former choristers in particular will be fully aware of what an outstanding Headmaster he has been.

about. It’s not about the Headmaster, and it’s not about the parents. It is all about the children.

For the Choristers, the school has provided a warm home-from-home. The rest of the Choir fraternity has enjoyed the appearance every day of a happy and motivated front row whose talents have been carefully nurtured and with whom no fewer than four Directors of Music could work their magic.

As a token of the Choir Association Committee’s gratitude, two prints were presented to Kevin at the end-of-term Choir lunch. We wish him all the best as he takes his wealth of experience and skills into the educational world beyond St John’s. Despite retiring from St John’s I somehow doubt that Kevin will have an empty diary, but hope very much that we may welcome him back into the stalls whenever time allows.

News in brief

Jed Upjohn Jed Upjohn (Chorister 2010-14) has been invited to join the prestigious Aldeburgh Young Musicians’ Programme. This flexible programme allows exceptional young musicians to work collaboratively and in a variety of styles with leading professional practitioners. As well as singing, Jed also enjoys composing at the piano, and is looking forward to exploring different musical styles.

Premieres The Choir has commissioned a new set of Evening Canticles from Philip Moore, in memory of John Scott. This will be premiered on 9 October at Evensong. This year’s Advent commission will be from former Gent, James Burton.

There are also two organ premieres at our 6pm Sunday Organ Recital series this year, by Andrew Synnott (30 October, Glen Dempsey) and by SvenDavid Sandström (6 November, Joseph Wicks).

These form part of the Orgelbuchlein project, a major international composition project to complete J S Bach’s Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) which has 118 missing pieces.

Simon Robson Brown A profile of the new St John’s School Headmaster, Neil Chippington, can be found in the May 2016 edition of this newsletter, available at sjccchoir.co.uk www.sjcchoir.co.uk

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Welcome to our new Chaplain, Carol Barrett Ford Our new College Chaplain, Rev’d Carol Barrett Ford started in September.

Before her ordination she worked as a prep-school teacher and deputy head.

Her link with education has been maintained in her work as a school chaplain.

Carol told us a little more about herself and what has brought her to St John’s.

I was born in Ireland and trained there as a teacher, then, after working for some years in London, I went

Christmas Tour; Cambridge, London, Germany & France The Choir’s Christmas tour will begin with a concert in Chapel on 9 December, before an appearance at London’s Cadogan Hall as part of the Choral at Cadogan series on 12 December. Then the Choir travels to Germany and a performance on 14

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to work at Reigate St Mary’s Prep School. St Mary’s is unusual in that although it is not attached to a cathedral it is a choir school and maintains the rhythm of choral services. Taking Matins, Evensong and Sung Compline, was a big part of my journey of discernment that led me towards ordination.

My curacy was very different. After ordination training at Durham, I worked in an urban priority area parish in Newcastle’s West End, with high levels of deprivation.

I worked with hard to reach young people with a lot of difficulties, poor educational expectations and troubled home backgrounds. I was also Associate Chaplain at an independent school – The Dame Allan’s Schools, so I know something of the pressures experienced by young people like those at St John’s.

December at the Schlosskirche, All Saints Church, in Wittenberg. Built in the late 15th century, it was on the doors of this church that Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses in 1517, providing the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. In the 2016-17 season, the 500th anniversary of this seminal event is to be marked with a series of concerts in Wittenberg, including this one by the Choir.

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Being a chaplain is a really important opportunity to connect with young people in a way which can have some lasting meaning in their lives. Many of them have not had the opportunity of a chapel or a chaplain before, may be of a different faith or have no faith at all. It’s part of my job to bridge that gap and let them see that spirituality is a vital part of our lives.

As well as the music here at St John’s, and reengaging with that choral tradition which has such importance for me, I am also looking forward to being intellectually challenged. I’m very much a lifelong learner – questions are important to me and we can have a great time exploring the issues raised.

As the Chaplain it is part of my role to provide a space where we can discuss the big issues in life.

News in brief

New Choir members We welcome several new Choir members for the new term. New probationers are Jasper Jones, Harry L’Estrange, Jonathan Mews and Ewan Tatnell while on the back rows are Altos Daniel Gethin and Daniel Brown, Tenors James Beddoe and Louis Watkins and Basses Matthew Gibson, Simon Grant and Piers Kennedy.

Last year’s Organ Scholars Joseph Wicks and Glen Dempsey continue, although both have been promoted, Joseph to Assistant Organist and Glen to be Herbert Howells Organ Scholar.

Next, on 16 December, comes a concert at the Stiftskirche in Stuttgart, where in 2013 the Choir attracted the venue’s biggest ever audience. Here the programme will include two contemporary works: Giles Swayne’s striking 1982 Magnificat and The Angels by Jonathan Harvey.

In the Lent term we will also welcome back John Challenger as Acting Director of Music whilst Andrew Nethsingha takes a well-deserved term’s sabbatical. John has been Assistant Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral since 2012, but is looking forward to being back in Cambridge for a term!

An afternoon concert in the beautiful acoustics of the St Blasien Cathedral in the Black Forest follows on December 17, where the Choir will perform a programme which includes two relatively new pieces, Cecilia McDowell’s 2013 O Oriens and O Thoma! written especially for the Choir last year by James Burton.

‘Garden’ Party

On December 18 the Choir will appear at the Kulture und Kongresszentrum in Weingarten – where the Choir last performed at the Basilika St Martin in 2007, and finally travel to Aix-en-Provence, France, for a concert at the 1,350 seat Grand Theatre on December 20.

The annual Garden Party for Choir Association members took place on Saturday 4 June. Although the British summer weather meant the event was held in Hall rather than outside, a good time was still had by all! It was particularly nice to see some of our recent ex-choristers come back to see us, and many former choir members were able to sing at Evensong, with music including Parry’s I Was Glad. www.sjcchoir.co.uk

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Members’ News

Chapel and Choir Office News

We say goodbye this year to five Choristers – Joel Branston, Oliver Brown, David Bryson, Sebastian Wade and Sam Williams – and to four Gents – Xavier Hetherington, Tom Lilburn, Hamish McLaren and Theo Platt. We wish them all well as they go on to new schools, further study or to begin their careers!

We’re pleased to report that Chapel Clerk Stephen Stokes has now successfully completed his treatment for Lymphoma, and has been given the all clear.

Stephen would like to thank everyone for their support and says he is pleased to be back to work! We also congratulate Stephen on the completion, with Honours, of his Church of England Guild of Vergers Diploma for which he was presented with a hood belonging to his late Grandfather.

Congratulations to Iestyn Davies (Chorister 198793 & Choral Scholar 1999-2002) who married Gemma Lawley at York Minster in August.

Andrew Nethsingha has been appointed University Organist from October 2016. This role includes overseeing the music for Honorary Degree Congregations. The most recent holders of the post have been Boris Ord, David Willcocks, George Guest and Stephen Cleobury, so Andrew will be the third exSt John’s Organ Scholar in a row to undertake this role!

Congratulations also to Paul Provost (Organ Scholar 2004-7) and wife Ruth on their new baby daughter, Martha Elizabeth.

Best wishes to Ben Gummer (Chorister 1987-91), who was appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General in July. Ben has been Conservative MP for Ipswich since 2010.

Choir Marketing and Communications Officer Helen Cocks moved on at the start of the new term to begin an MA in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Cantata Evensong

Saturday 22nd October

Concert in Chapel

Friday 9th December

Concert at Cadogan Hall

Monday 12th December

Choir Association AGM

Saturday 21st January

Cantata Evensong

Saturday 11th February

London Drinks

tbc

Cantata Evensong

Saturday 20th May

Garden Party

Saturday 4th June