Music

THE NEW ALTAR FRONTAL

For some years we have managed to keep going with our present set of altar frontals, but they are now reaching a point where the fabric of three of them will not stand further repair. So the Chapel Committee were delighted to accept the offer of John Gaastra to design and weave a new frontal.

To begin with he is working on a front panel with a design of loaves and fishes round a central chalice. The brilliant colours should make a wonderful centre-piece for our Chapel and complement the choir stalls which he has already designed for us.

If money allows he hopes to go on to weave a matching panel for the other side of the altar with the Christian Chi-Rho symbol and St. Peter's keys.

The cost is bound to be fairly considerable, as wool is very expensive and the work will take an immense amount of time; but in the end we shall have a distinguished work of art and possibly the only woven frontal in the country.

If an Old Peterite or parent who reads this should feel inspired to contribute to the cost we would be very grateful. Cheques should be made out to "St. Peter's School Chapel Account" and sent to the Head Master.

N.H.K-W.

CHOIR

Evensong in the Minster for the Eve of Ascension; the R.S.C.M.

Festival at Ripon Cathedral; the St. Peterstide procession in the Minster;

Commemoration. A familiar and well loved routine. This year we added

Sumsion in G to our repertoire and use has also been made of John

Rutter's setting of the Series 3 text. The Choir Supper again drew a goodly crowd though the presence of a barbecue supper and dance later the same evening and the mystery virus combined to delete the entertainment which had been such an enjoyable feature last year. David Cooper leaves us to become Director of Music at Ashbourne; he will be missed very much as a superb organist and choir trainer; the Choir showed its affection for him by presenting him with a gramophone record. We wish him every success for the future.

IMUSIC PRIZES

The competition was held in Hall and was once again a most enjoy- able concert. The panel of judges reached their decisions much quicker than last year thanks to a simplification of the scoring mathematics. The

Keyboard Prize was won by Tony Robinson playing the Brahms

Intermezzo in B flat minor, and the Orchestral Instrument Prize by

Richard Spencer with the first movement of the Mozart Oboe Quintet.

Close runners-up were Stephen Irons (piano) and Christopher Hirst (clarinet).