St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

7

Spitfire and a Tornado fighter jet. During the performance we were staring down the face of a Lancaster Bomber! It was particularly special considering the Dambusters connection with the School; I was there in 1993 when it was the 50th anniversary of the raid, and we witnessed a flyover across the Quad with a Spitfire and two Lancasters, and we sang a Commemoration Service. It was the classic experience of hearing the planes before you can see them! We also did some work with the RAF volunteer choir, the Spitfires, and one of their singers, an Air Commodore, flew in the Tornado we were standing alongside during a tour of Afghanistan. Aside from singing for the BBC, you have also appeared several times as a soloist in concerts with the St Edward’s Singers, a choir formed of parents, staff and friends of the School. How does it feel to return to sing at your old School, and which has been your favourite performance? I love coming back here to sing. When I came back I felt like I had never left; the smell of the curtains in the Hall is still the same! It is great to see that music here is still flourishing, not only amongst the pupils, but also the wider community. I sang in the Mozart Requiem , and my wife also sang whilst we were expecting our second child, so it was nice for her to be a part of the experience. When you are not singing, we hear that you are a keen marathon runner. Is this beneficial for your singing? How do you balance physical training and rehearsals for concerts? I feel stronger and healthier with the training, and I find that when I am singing well I run better, and vice-versa. The balance can be difficult, but running allows me to explore a new city easily when I am away singing. Our new Music School is due to open next year, and we hope you are able to join us in the opening celebrations. Of course, it would be great to put together a cast of St Edward’s musicians past and present. There will be much more space, no more battling for a music room!

Join the St Edward’s Singers St Edward’s Singers is a non-auditioned choir designed specifically for parents, staff, OSE, neighbours and friends. It usually meets on Friday evenings and rehearses in the School Hall for two concerts a year (October and April) given in the School Hall or Chapel together with a professional orchestra and School choirs. Founded in 2003, programmes have included Mozart’s Requiem , Mendelssohn’s Elijah , Verdi’s Requiem , Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast and Orff ’s Carmina Burana . Our next concert on Sunday 16th October is inspired by Shakespeare and

will feature Walton’s Henry V Suite and Vaughan Williams' In Windsor Forest . Rehearsal details are as follows: Friday 9th September 7.30 – 9.00pm, Hall Friday 16th September 7.30 – 9.00pm, Hall Friday 23rd September 7.30 – 9.00pm, Hall Thursday 29th September 7.30 – 9.00pm, Hall Friday 7th October 7.30 – 9.00pm, Hall Friday 14th October 7.30 – 9.00pm, Hall (Joint rehearsal with Chapel Choir) Sunday 16th October, Final Rehearsal: 2.30 – 5.30pm Concert 7.30pm, Hall

F E A T U R E S

To find out more, contact creedn@stedwardsoxford.org

© Will Webb

St Edward's Singers perform in Chapel