Heavenly Voices

Heavenly Voices

Heavenly Voices

Originally, the Chapel Choir were due to attend the Stowe Choral Day back in February, but heavy snow put paid to that and the day was postponed to (hopefully) warmer days. Fortunately the weather behaved itsself on 5th May and the Bilton Grange choristers were able to join with others from many prep schools from far and wide to form a choir of over 400.

After refreshments in the Marbled Saloon, a splendid domed room at the heart of Stowe House, the children were put to work under Stowe’s Director of Music, Simon Dearsley and his assistant, Huw Jones to rehearse a varied diet of music from the 18th to the 21st Century based around the service of Evensong.

Hardly had we started before it was time for lunch, a tasty and varied selection in the school dining room, and then a chance to run around and enjoy the even more extensive lawns than we have at Bilton Grange;  Capability Brown certainly knew how to plan a stunning view!

Back to the Chapel for a full rehearsal as we started to put the music together with all parts and with organ accompaniment. Another drinks break, more free time, then a final rehearsal joined by the Stowe School Chapel Choir and Brass Ensemble where the music took on even more spectacular dimensions.

Evensong at 4pm was attended by many parents and all the hard work of the day was evident. There was much good singing, but the highlights for your correspondent had to be  Parry’s Coronation Anthem ‘I was Glad’ with Brass and Organ- all we needed was a visit by the Queen- and the very final item in the service, the evening hymn ‘The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended’; there is a great tradition in  Public School (and indeed prep school) chapels of lusty hymn singing, and this was a fine, indeed spine-tingling, demonstration of that tradition.

Many thanks to Stowe School and their staff for hosting us and arranging the day; our children have as a result sung some great choral music!

Introit: Immortal Love (Barnes)
Preces & Responses: Stephen Cleobury
Psalm 150: John Rutter (Praise ye the Lord)
Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis: Walmisley in D minor
Anthem: I was Glad (Hubert Parry)
Hymn: The Day thou gavest, Lord (St Clement)


Tags: Chapel, Music