St John’s College Choir
Choir Association
Welcome
Newsletter: Summer 2014
Greetings from the Choir Association. We are delighted to welcome you to the Summer edition of our termly Newsletter, which will update you with the latest Members’ and Choir news.
D-Day 70 Commemoration services On Friday 6 June the Choir took part in three services at Bayeux Cathedral, Bayeux Cemetery and Arromanches that commemorated the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The British commemoration services were attended by war veterans and members of the Royal Family, as well as heads of state from all over the world. Andrew Nethsingha said, “It was a great honour for the Choir to be able to pay tribute to those who fought and fell in the battle for Normandy by singing at the services that marked the 70th anniversary. We were privileged to take part in such an important event.”
The Choir rehearsing in Bayeux Cathedral
During the live broadcast from Bayeux Cemetery
The Choir performing with Laura Wright (Soprano) at Arromanches
Performing at the three services in Normandy was particularly poignant for several of the Choristers, especially Conrad Boyle, whose great-grandfather is one of the surviving veterans of the Battle of Normandy. Seventy years ago, Aleck Crichton, who lives in the west of Ireland, was an Adjutant in the Irish Guards when they landed in northern France, following the initial landings on Gold Beach. His tank regiment was involved in fierce fighting in the region’s infamous bocage and Aleck himself was badly wounded in August 1944. Now aged 96, the ex-serviceman was unable to make the journey to France for what will be the last commemoration officially marked by the Normandy Veterans’ Association before it disbands.
Conrad Boyle with Aleck Crichton
Aleck Crichton grew up in Ireland but was educated in England at Uppingham School and then Cambridge. Because he was Irish, he was not obliged to enlist in the army when war broke out in 1939 but nonetheless, he volunteered and joined the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, aged just 21. As an armoured regiment, the Irish Guards were part of a second wave of British forces which followed up the initial infantry assault against the German defences on the Normandy coast. It was during the Battle for Normandy itself that Aleck’s second daughter, Tania, was born on 3 July 1944. She married John Cooke and their elder daughter, Olga Boyle, is the mother of Conrad, who follows in his great-grandfather’s footsteps, 70 years on.
“D-Day brought me to Cambridge” D-Day was responsible for Peter Stallwood (Chorister 1945–1949) joining the Choir. This is his story: “During World War II, I lived with my mother and brother at Torcross in South Devon. In October 1943, the parish of South Hams was evacuated by the War Office so that American marines could train for their D-Day engagement (the coastal terrain at Slapton Sands, where we lived, was similar to that on the Normandy beach where the Americans were due to land). It was here that the dreadful accident occurred during Operation Tiger, which led to the loss of 970 soldiers. Homeless, my mother got a job as the cook/housekeeper for the lecture theatre and dining-room owned by Girton College at 10 St Edward’s Passage, off King’s Parade. My mother arranged for me to be auditioned by Robin Orr and I joined St John’s, towards the end of 1944.”
Renew your membership online Donations and renewal of annual Choir Association subscription fees can now be accepted online: www.sjcchoir.co.uk/choir-association/join
Looking to the future... The Choir will be singing Verdi’s Messa da Requiem at the majestic Royal Albert Hall on Friday 24 October. They will be joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the choirs of Clare, Jesus and Gonville & Caius Colleges under the baton of Andrew Nethsingha. The Royal Albert Hall Box Office is currently offering a Special Discount for Cambridge University Alumni. For more information and to book tickets, please click here.
Dates for your Diary Cantata Evensong
Saturday 18 October – 6.30pm J.S. Bach: Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn BWV 96
Leavers
Verdi’s Requiem
Friday 24 October – 7.30pm Royal Albert Hall
Advent Carol Services
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November
Vivaldi’s Gloria
Friday 5 December – 7.30pm Royal Festival Hall
Joseph Ataman will be moving to Beirut in October, to spend a year learning Arabic and freelancing as a journalist, before heading to Harvard to study for a Masters in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies. Kieran Brunt intends to spend some time travelling, whilst continuing to work on his solo singing. Sam Oladeinde is pursuing a career is law and is currently undertaking internships at various firms in London. Tom Blackie has moved to London to work in consultancy but hopes to continue singing with various groups on the London circuit, including the Gents’ sister group, The Gentlemen of London. Choral Intern Benedict Inman will be returning to the University of Leeds to complete his undergraduate degree in Music. Jonny Hyde has been awarded a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Lay Clerk John Holland-Avery will be moving to Manchester to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. Four Choristers also left the Choir – Jason Cobb (Uppingham), Jed Upjohn (Chesterton), Robert Murray John (The Leys School) and Rufus Pawsey (Rugby).
Members News
Philip Pfaff (Choral Scholar 1932-1935) passed away shortly before his 100th birthday. He was the oldest living member of the Choir Association. Having studied under Cyril Rootham, Philip left St John’s and got his first job as Organist and Choirmaster at St Matthew’s, Northampton. After a year or two, and well before the outbreak of war, he was asked to teach music to a local lad who appeared to have some talent. He struck up a life-long friendship with his pupil who had a lot more talent than many realised. For he was none other than Sir Malcolm Arnold. After service in the RAF, Philip spent a short time at the Rural Music School in Ipswich and went on to become Music Adviser for East Ham in London. Whilst there he managed to encourage over 90% of the local school children
to learn a musical instrument, which was quite an achievement for those days – or ,indeed, in current times. In 1960 he left to take charge of training music teachers at Trent Park College and after retiring from that post, spent ten years touring the world examining for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. He married whilst in Northampton and had two sons, both of whom went on to become professional orchestral musicians. (Biographical information courtesy of his son, Graham Pfaff.) David Holgate (Chorister 1949) a renowned Norwich sculptor, letter carver and jazz musician, has died after a short illness aged 75. David crafted a lasting legacy in the statues of Mother Julian and Saint Benedict on the West front of Norwich Cathedral.
Congratulations Julian Gregory (Chorister 1998–2003, Choral Scholar 2009–2012) will be joining the prestigous ensemble The King’s Singers in September. The King’s Singers is a six man ensemble, which has only had twenty four members since its conception in 1968.
About the Choir Association The Choir Association of St John’s College brings together Alumni and Friends with a shared appreciation of our rich choral tradition. Their invaluable financial contributions provide bursaries for current members of the Choir who hope to pursue careers music. Those who pay an annual subscription to the Association receive priority seating for special services in Chapel, invitations to various social events and the opportunity to keep in contact with former members of the Choir.