Music Notes

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.

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

Owing to the small numbers this year, the orchestral players have found it more profitable to rehearse as three separate groups—strings, woodwind and brass. Each has achieved most valuable training work, and next year when it is feasible to reintegrate them the lessons will surely bear fruit. More details about the orchestra are given below.

CHORAL SOCIETY

This represents a major breakthrough in musical activities, as the society has a regular link with Queen Anne School, rehearsing continuously throughout the year, with joint productions as shown below.

MILITARY BAND

This exciting new sound emerged from an obscure start in the Easter Term, entirely by the enthusiasm of the C.C.F. boys who play in it. Its first public appearance was earlier than planned, when it was called upon to play for the C.C.F. Inspection March Past, all the musicians being C.C.F. Cadets. A delightful extra was the occasion of a party in the Music School garden and this . was to have been a dress rehearsal for a performance outside the tea-tent at Commemoration. This unfortunately had to be abandoned owing to the diverse activities of band players which prevented them all getting together at any given time. If public comment is anything to go by it should have been a popular event and efforts must be made to ensure its viability next year.

HOUSE MUSIC COMPETITION

Again the competition for the Baird and Cape Cups took place on the same evening and all Houses were eligible to compete. To facilitate fair judging the idea of a set piece was proposed—in the singing this produced a monotony of Swannee Ribber' and the instrumentalists tended to opt for alternatives, though the winning performance was of the set piece by Schubert and was outstandingly ahead of anything else. The entertainment value of the variant House contributions is considerable and in order to give these unlimited scope the idea of a House Concert will be separated from the Competition next year. The Baird Cup was won by School House and the Cape Cup by Temple.

MUSIC PRIZE COMPETITION

An excellent standard of piano playing made this a most enjoyable occasion and the prize was won by Robin Walker with Nigel Clayburn as runner up and Richard Long highly commended. For orchestral instruments Andrew Bowie's clarinet playing won the prize, John Craven's trombone was runner up and Peter Nash on the French Horn was highly commended.