If variety really is the spice of life, the pupils at S Anselm's have been treated to a tasty last week.
On Saturday 7 May, all the whole school walked down to Bakewell Church, where we held our first Service of Praise and Celebration, holding the service as close as we could to the Feast Day of S Anselm. The service had a similar format to the annual carol service, and explored all aspects of praise through biblical readings from the pupils, anthems from the Chapel Choir and Junior Choir, and through some of our favourite hymns. It was lovely to see so many parents at the service and it was a lovely way to spend the first Saturday morning of term.
Just two days later, the Chapel Choir boarded a coach bound for York. This was the rearranged date for the choir to sing Choral Evensong in York Minster, after the postponement from January. After lunch at Pizza Express, the choir flipped into 'performance mode' and sang the service with amazing precision and control. Once again, we were inundated with praise from the clergy at the Minster, and the member of staff who served us at Pizza Express described us as "the most polite group he had served". All in all, a very successful day.
We are very lucky to have a fantastic team of peripatetic teachers at S Anselm's, but it was Mr Eaton who came up trumps and organised the next musical event. He arranged for his Year 6 rock band, and their parents, plus groupie Lewis, to go to Farnsfield Village Hall to see the blues band, King King. We arrived at the venue and fought our way past trestle tables to the rear of the hall ready for the opening set. By 20 minutes in, our band members had fought their way to the standing area at the front, and were very much part of the performance. They met the band members at the break and had their tickets signed at the end. King King are a wonderful band and this was an amazing opportunity for some of our pupils to get an 'up-close' look at them in action. Huge thanks to Mr Eaton for organising this trip.
The following morning, the boarding community were invited down to Bakewell Church for their All-Age Eucharist service. With the year 7s away on the Bushcraft weekend, some of year 8 up Ben Nevis, the Chapel Choir was depleted. In fact, it numbered 11. I thought very carefully, and asked their opinion, and we decided that we would take up Tony's offer and sing 2 pieces. Solos from Sophia and Amelia (who hadn't done them before) were backed beautifully by the rest of the small group for a very admirable performance. My thanks to all those present for just giving it 'that little bit extra'.
And finally, last night (Tuesday 17 May), the Chapel Choir, plus 3 invited soloists, travelled to the Beacon @ Nether Green, formerly known as Hallam Methodist Church, for a concert which has already been described by 2 parents as "the best ever". High praise once again, and the performers certainly didn't disappoint. The Chapel Choir sang 6 pieces from their sacred repertoire, with solos from Yasmin, Amelia and Lewis, and then concluded the concert with a vocal selection from Les Miserables, with a host of soloists. Interspersed were a number of solos from year 7 and 8 pupils, with Lily, Andrew and Georgina coming to play their solo without being members of the choir also. There were also solo items from Isaac, Ella, Izzy, Annabel, Lucy, Alice and Alex. Everyone played their part and the quality, given the fact that the year 8s have just kicked off the CE season, and everyone seems a little weary after 2 full weeks back, was immense.
Thank you to the pupils for being so willing and providing so many memories, to the parents for continual support, and to my many colleagues who have helped in difference ways.
Posted on
Wed, May 18, 2011
by JPW