At the moment, in addition to launching the website and the start of our fundraising campaign for the summer tour, we are preparing for a performance next week, in Kingston Parish Church on Tuesday 30th March at 7.30 pm. Entitled "Love So Amazing", this is a one-hour sequence of music and literature associated with Holy Week.
It's quite rare for the bulk of Holy Week to be within a school term, so we are using the opportunity to get acquainted with some wonderful music associated with the season. The Tallis Lamentations are very special indeed, and it has been quite an experience rehearsing these with the Altos, Tenors and Basses: it's so exciting to conduct singers who have no prior experience of the piece they're singing - that sense that the page-turn is going to bring profound, lasting discoveries - and they have taken the piece to their hearts. We are also singing Stainer God so loved the world, Purcell Hear my Prayer, Holst This have I done for my true love, and Finzi Lo the Full, Final Sacrifice - it should be a very moving evening.
Developing the sound of the choir is a constant activity, much like developing a fine wine - voices are constantly changing, as is the mix of voices in the choir. We currently have 55 boys in the choir (of whom 28 are trebles): having lost a large number of ATB last year (due to completing their seven years at the school) and quite a few trebles (for natural, biological reasons!), it has taken time for the distinctive sound to reform, but it's very much on the right lines now - a rich, colourful ATB sound (perhaps our best ever) is supporting a young treble sound which has brightness and character.
Keep checking back here for the boys' opinions in future weeks!
Simon Toyne
Director
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