Taylorian 2020

120 Christmas The Christmas period is very busy for our musicians and preparation time is invariably at a premium. There is always a collective sigh of relief when we reach the end of the final assembly and realise that we pulled it off once again! As is usual, the Carol Service took place on the final Sunday afternoon of term, when the daylight was just fading, and it was lovely to see the Great Hall packed with family and friends. This time our choir numbered 125 boys and staff, together with over 20 parents and friends from the Parents’ Choir; we were joined as usual by members of Taylors’ Brass, as well as timpani, cymbals, and the Harrison organ. With the lights turned off, save for those of the Christmas tree, the service began with the Chamber Choir singing ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ from the vestibule. After a reading given by Jai Elangovan it was time for one brave chorister to step forward and sing the unaccompanied solo verse from ‘Once in Royal David’s City’; this year it was the turn of Ayoush Seneviratne, who sang beautifully. After an unaccompanied verse sung by the rest of the Chamber Choir, everyone joined in with full brass and organ accompaniment. And so the service continued – with a mixture of traditional and modern words in the readings and the carols. Just before we sang ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, the lights dimmed and tea-lights were lit, giving the Great Hall the feel of a starlit night. Musical highlights of the service included the Vocal Group’s rendition of Geoffrey Burgon’s ‘A God and yet a man’, and the Thomas White Singers’ sensitive and moving performance of Franz Gruber’s ‘Silent Night’. The Parents’ Choir sang the ‘Angel Gabriel’, the Chamber Choir performed carols by Will Todd and Peter Warlock, and the full Choirs joined together to perform the sublime ‘What Sweeter Music’ by John Rutter, Malcolm Archer’s dancelike ‘As I sat on a sunny bank’, and Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’, which was expertly accompanied by Mr Collins on the organ. The service came to a rousing conclusion with ‘O Come all ye Faithful’ sung by everyone, complete with a brass, percussion and organ fanfare. And afterwards, what better way to celebrate the start of the Christmas period than with a delicious afternoon tea in the Dining Hall provided by Mr Fayer and his staff. Other musical events in that final week of term included the Vernon’s Service at St Michael’s, Cornhill where the Chamber Choir reprised some of their carols; the Thomas White Singers providing a musical interlude at Doctors’ Dinner at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall; and two more full Choir performances - in the Christmas Assembly and the Doctors’ Day Assembly. Taylors’ Brass took a starring role in the Christmas Assembly ending the proceedings with a lively version of ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’, and everyone left the Great Hall full of Christmas cheer. Music these delightful pieces. Daniel Odejinmi is to be commended for his sensitive and lyrical solo in ‘Blackbird’ – and for some expert whistling! Then came Wind Band, conducted by Dr Couchman, with another popular set: ‘The Best of Queen’. The young performers played with evident enjoyment and gusto and the audience loved it. Taylors’ Brass followed this with a fine rendition of the stately ‘Prince of Denmark’s March’ by Jeremiah Clarke. Next came the Trebles with a lively version of ‘Give My Regards to Broadway’. Conducted and choreographed by Mrs Stubbs, their energy and exuberance put smiles on everyone’s faces. Following on, the ever-popular Dixieland Band maintained the high energy with two toe- tapping numbers: ‘Shreveport Stomp’ by ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton and ‘At the Jazz Band Ball’ by Nick La Rocca and Larry Shields. The first half finished with ‘Caravan’ by the Percussion Ensemble. As usual, the exciting rhythms and precision playing was fully appreciated by the audience. After the interval the full choir, conducted by Dr Couchman and accompanied on the organ by Mr Collins, sang two contrasting pieces, ‘Evening Hymn’ by Balfour Gardiner and ‘The Bare Necessities’ by Terry Gilkyson. Their performance of both pieces was marked by strong dynamic contrast and real emotional connection. Swing Band then played ‘Come Fly With Me’ and Nat Adderley’s ‘Work Song’ with their usual skill, evoking a mood of relaxed sophistication. Sinfonia, conducted by Dr Couchman, then transported us to the Highlands of Scotland with a polished performance of the charming traditional melody ‘Loch Lomond’. The Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Couldridge, finished the evening with two ambitious performances. Chamber Orchestra played the first movement of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, navigating their way through the polyphonic passages with great agility. Symphony Orchestra then played Sibelius’s ‘Finlandia’. With its moody opening and heart-tugging chorale the performance rounded off a wonderful evening’s music with a touch of the sublime. Music & Concerts