Summer 2009 - Summer 2010

Once more it has been a busy year for the Schola Cantorum: in September the Schola sang Mass for the Papal Knights at St Anselm & St Cecilia, Lincoln’s Inn which was celebrated by the newly installed Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols. In October the boys sang at a service to mark the visit of the Relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux at the Carmelite Priory in Kensington. In November the Schola gave a concert at St Peter’s, Eaton Square, performing Langlais’s Messe Solennelle and Duruflé’s Requiem. Both works are very demanding and the boys sang to the highest standard. As usual there were numerous Christmas engagements including the annual Carol Service at the Oriental Club, Carols at the Dorchester and Mass at Nazareth House. Several boys sang in multiple performances of the Royal Ballet’s annual Christmas production, The Nutcracker, at Covent Garden. The candlelight Carol Service at Our Lady of Victories was filled to capacity as usual and included the contemporary Christmas motet O magnum mysterium by Morten Lauridsen as well as some traditional favourites such as O holy night and In the bleak mid-winter.

During the Lent Term the Schola performed J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Our Lady of Victories. Accompanied by the Belgravia Chamber Orchestra, the Schola was joined by renowned tenor soloist Nicholas Mulroy who sang the Evangelist whilst baritone Nicholas Warden sang the role of Christ. All the remaining solo roles and the arias were sung to an incredibly high standard by members of the Schola. These solos are some of the most challenging pieces ever written for singers, which makes it all the more remarkable that the boys gave such assured and musical performances. Equally, the chorus work of the Schola was highly accomplished. This was a very special evening which I am sure will live long in the memories of those who were there.

In April the Schola took part in the Music Department Tour to Prague, and in July the boys sang at Mr Cooney’s Retirement Mass held at St James’s, Spanish Place. Several former members of the choir returned to sing, ensuring that the Widor Mass was as spectacular as possible. Superb brass playing added to the splendour. Many of the Trebles of the Schola spent much of the Summer Term preparing for their appearance at the BBC Proms in September when they will join the world famous Monteverdi Choir under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner for the four hundredth anniversary performance of the Monteverdi Vespers. The concert is to be broadcast live on BBC Television and Radio from The Royal Albert Hall. Following this, the boys will tour with the work, appearing at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford and Durham Cathedral. This project is a wonderful opportunity for the boys and we look forward to it immensely. It only remains for me to thank the boys for their time and hard work, and their parents for the immeasurable support which they so willingly provide.

Charles Cole

Director, Schola Cantorum

© The Vaughan 2010