St Edward's 150 Years - by Nicola Hunter

St Edward’s: 150 Years

Chapter 5 / Doorways and Gateways

Orchestras and bands were, perhaps, less conspicuous in the early history of the School, although there are reports of Music Master A.H. Edwards forming the first brass band in 1874, assisted by Mr Freeborn of the Oxford Royal Militia. Two years later, this was a group with 11 regular members, playing ‘very fairly’ with various marches and classical pieces. The Orchestra was formed and re-formed as the numbers of instrumentalists in the School fluctuated in the late 1800s. Many of the reports from the early 1900s talk about the growth of instrumental music, initially under Music Master Reginald Carter, and later under Warden Ferguson. Later on, in the 1950s and 1960s, the Orchestra grew in maturity and in numbers involved, helped by the growth in numbers at the School, and were often heard accompanying the School Chapel Choir and Choral Society in performances of major works. Today’s Symphony Orchestra, now with 50 players, builds upon this tradition: students undertake major works from the repertoire, tackling music similar to that of a county youth orchestra. Recent concerts have included Beethoven’s Symphony no 3 and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker

Suite. The School Concert Band and Brass Band are the natural successors to those original brass and wind bands set up by previous generations, tackling major repertoire for concerts and CCF parades. The Sinfonia Orchestra and Wind Band provide repertoire for those training to be in the flagship groups, giving opportunities for all pupils to perform, whatever their standard.

MUSIC The cultural framework and musical outlook of St Edward’s today could hardly have been imagined in the School’s earliest days. Opportunities for the creative arts were limited at New Inn Hall Street, and it is incredible, looking back, how the arts have gradually flourished. The School has, however, always had a choral foundation. From ‘singing in line’ as the School progressed towards the Church of St Thomas the Martyr, School choirs were formed, in order to support the compulsory daily church services. The consecration of the Chapel on the Summertown site in June 1877 was at a time when the choir expanded, now accompanied by the first Chapel organ. A series of Wardens with musical skills and aspirations helped the choirs to flourish: Warden Ferguson regularly found time to rehearse and conduct the choir in the 1920s, and Wardens Sing and Kendall had, before and after Ferguson, taken a full part in the organisation of concerts and services.

Top left: An early School Orchestra rehearsal, 1895. Above left: Some of the cello and bass players prepare for the orchestral concert, 2013. Above: The familiar noticeboards within the Ferguson Music School.

Today’s Chapel Choir retains this striving for excellence: the 70-strong group of singers regularly performs in major cathedrals and concert halls, as well as supporting the worship in Chapel, both for Sunday services and midweek Evensongs twice a term. The Chamber Choir, a smaller group for 16 Sixth Formers who aspire to choral scholarships at university, also takes a lead in some services. The present St Edward’s Singers is now ten years old, and is the natural successor to the Choral Society, which is prominent in musical reports throughout the School’s history, giving annual concerts. In 1926, the first Choral Society numbered 35 people including two OSE, and was conducted by Director of Music Lionel Ovenden; their first performances received ‘enthusiastic applause’.

Above: The School’s Chamber Choir, 2013. Far left: The Chapel Choir in 1977. Left: Alex Tester, Director of Music with the Chapel Choir, 2010.

100

101