The start of the new Academic Year has been a busy one for the Boy Cathedral Choristers, especially with the sad passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. This meant that they had to hastily learn new music for the rearranged services.
The Choristers sang for the County’s Memorial Service on Thursday 15th September when around 2,000 packed the Cathedral, with many watching via the Cathedral’s You Tube live stream. The Master of Music, Mr Ashley Grote, spoke movingly to the Choristers about this period in history we are living through which we will never see again and their important part they are playing in that history. I know that the boys all felt this.
The ranks of the Boy Cathedral Choristers have increased to 20 Boy Choristers. On average the Boys serve 5 years as a Chorister, 3 whilst they are at the Lower School and then in the L4 and U4 at the Senior School. I am delighted as Tutor to the Senior School Choristers to be looking after 6 incredibly talented and dedicated boys. With 3 Cathedral Choristers in L4; George Blyth (P), William Lambert(N) and Isaac Schaad (R). They are already established voices within the Choir. They join our 2 U4 Choristers; Teddy Curtis (N) and Rupert Glover-Darke (P). Charlie Collier (L5P) continues to serve as Head Chorister and we are pleased to have his mature example and influence.
With the welcoming of the new Choristers we also say farewell to leaving Choristers. In July 3 U4 Choristers; Will Brown (N), Edward Lott (E) and Julian Pe (S) completed their time as Choristers. Their leaving was marked during the Valediction Evensong when the Acting Dean blessed them. Mr Clover and Mrs Platten presented the leaving Choristers with the Cathedral Ex-Chorister tie. Pins were presented to the leaving Girl Choristers. This was followed by our farewell gathering in the Cloisters. The Master of Music presented the leaving Choristers with their hymn books. These were in varying states of repair! Along with Charlie this group of U4 Choristers were a delight to support during their time as Choristers and I was very privileged to be their Tutor. At Christmas the Choir said farewell to Tristan McCardel (C) and Ellery Francis (V). Two boys who had served the Choir with dedication and incredible talent. Below is a photograph taken at the Cloister farewell. Will, Edward and Julian are joined by Charlie Clover who was joint Head Chorister along with Daniel Neville, now in his U5 year at Norwich School. They are proudly wearing their Ex-Chorister ties.
I look forward to the year ahead supporting our wonderful Boy Choristers as their Tutor.
