Prep Schools Choral Day 12th May 2009

Some 180 Prep School pupils arrived in Sherborne for this year’s Choral Day.  Rehearsing in the Abbey under the tuition of Director of Music James Henderson and Assistant Director of Music from The Pilgrims’ School (Winchester), Alan Quadros, the music was both challenging and new for the young choristers.  Respite from their hard work was provided through organised School tours and a large lunch in the Dining Hall, followed by a further rehearsal in the afternoon and afternoon tea before Choral Evensong in the Abbey at 3.30 pm.  The service was led by the Vicar of Sherborne, Canon Eric Woods with members of the Choir providing the Tenors and Basses, and a surprisingly large congregation of Senior Management from the visiting schools, parents and friends.  E G Monk’s opening hymn, “Angel Voices ever Singing”, seemed entirely appropriate – as, too, was Wesley’s  “Blessed be the God and Father”.  As the large congregation and the choristers left the Abbey, organist Peter Bray played Widor’s rousing Toccata in F.  All involved had a tremendous, though tiring, day and one pupil from Dumpton School decided that she would like Wesley’s anthem at her wedding!

The Preparatory Schools participating in the day were:  Dumpton School, Port Regis, Monkton Prep, Perrott Hill, King’s Hall, All Hallows, The Pilgrims’ School and Sherborne Prep.

Director of Music James Henderson said, “This has been a most enjoyable day and I would particularly like to thank the various Directors of Music for coaching the pupils so well before the day, the Prep School Headmasters, Deputy Heads and Directors of Studies, and of course all the parents for their support and for helping to make the congregation so large.  I also thank Canon Eric Woods for again leading the service, and both he and the Abbey staff for their kind permission to use the Abbey – a building in which we at Sherborne feel so privileged to be able to worship twice a week and to be able to put on this special annual Choral Evensong.”

Posted: Monday, May 18, 2009