story, it evolved into something more elaborate and was greatly enhanced by the specially composed music. The major problems to be overcome in any performance in chapel are the handling of large numbers of actors in the restricted area of the chancel and the difficulty of ensuring that the actor is visible to everyone. The simple but effective set went much of the way to solving these, but movement always seemed inhibited by the lack of space, and seeing and hearing at the back must at times have been difficult. Graham Perks was a splendidly vague, unworldly but most benevolent Bishop, and Christopher Smith brought much carefully disciplined zest to the part of the chaplain. As for the three old men themselves, they sustained their role most impressively, and were as convincingly non realistic as their own grey beards. I was left, after this most entertaining and thought provoking play, with two regrets; first, that more was not made of the contrast and tension between the three representative groups, the sailors, the merchants and the pilgrims; and second, that we did not hear more of, and possibly take more part in, the most effective music. D.K.E.
MUSIC NOTES CHOIR With the introduction of special services for sections of the School on certain Sundays an element of redundancy has hung over the Choir. Another factor has been the introduction of a voluntary Family Eucharist; but a large number of Choir members have felt this to be a worthwhile venture and have supportted it enthusiastically. The experiment of a full Evensong complete with cathedral-type responses, settings of both Canticles and an anthem seemed almost as though the choir was attempting to justify its existence amid the dilution of liturgical standards—it was interesting that several of the congregation expressed interest and approval of the opportunity to hear the Book of Common Prayer. The visit to the Minster to sing at the Harvest Festival was threatened by a popular exeat day and this hazard will have to be avoided next year; another hazard in the form of flu played havoc with the Carol Service, but enough hard work had been put in for the Choir to take a fuller part in the Minster Epiphany Service. A special service for Passion-tide included the singing of a section of the St. Matthew Passion to Vittoria's music. The Choir was glad to take part in the R.S.C.M. Festival at Ripon Cathedral, having missed the previous year owing to exam clashes. It was a valuable experience despite our inclination to sing 'Rejoice in the Lord' at twice the speed of the rest of the choirs. We were happy to be asked by the Minster to sing Evensong on the Eve of Ascension Day, and the knowledge gained at our earlier full Evensong was most useful. Once more to the Minster for the St. Peter's Day Service, but the impossibility of a proper rehearsal and the difficulties caused by the building operations took much of the pleasure and success out of the event. Commemoration was of course the final event of the year and last year's idea of replacing the Choir anthem by a combined piece of music for School and Choir was continued. The Choir has endured another year in the improvised choir stalls and looks forward eagerly to the generous gift of the Old Peterites' memorial to Kenneth Rhodes which is to take the form of new stalls. 13
