Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum in the USA

Sunday Showcase Series - Pitville Pump Room

2009-12-14T08:43:00.004Z

Yesterday the Choristers gave a conert in the Pitville Pump Room as part of the Sunday Showcase series.

Book Launch - 'At Close Quarters'

2009-11-12T09:30:00.006Z

The Choristers sang at the launch of a book covering the history of Dean Close Schools, 'At Close Quarters'. The boys were invited by the Headmaster and sang to a very appreciative audience in Dean Close House. Laurence Kilsby sang a solo and Mr Hodgkinson was the accompanist.

Choral Day at Dean Close

2009-11-12T09:22:00.002Z

On Friday 6th November the Choristers took part in a Choral Day at Dean Close School. About 130 children joined together for workshops and practice, and sang an Evensong service to a full chapel at the end of the day.

BBC Chorister of the Year 2009

2009-11-01T20:18:00.003Z

We are very proud to have the winner of the BBC Chorister of the Year 2009 competition in Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum. Laurence Kilsby sang beautifully in St Paul's Cathedral to win and has exciting engagements to look forward to over the coming year.

Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum Football Club!

2009-11-01T20:15:00.002Z

The boys are in training for the football season! Mr West is the team coach and Mr Hodgkinson a very keen manager! Some of the players are seen here at the first training session.

Recording in Tewkesbury Abbey

2009-11-01T20:06:00.002Z

The choir has been busy recording music by Stanford which will be released next year.

Wedding of Matthew Wells - Olympic Rower

2009-09-13T14:38:00.004+01:00

The choristers were invited to sing at the wedding of Matthew Wells who won a Bronze medal in double sculling at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. He and his bride Georgie warmly welcomed the boys to their wedding in Gloucestershire.

We also welcome Mr Alex Hodgkinson (Organ Scholar) and Mr Nick Chubb (Choral Scholar) who joined us for the first time on a Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum Outing!

August Wedding

2009-09-10T11:39:00.004+01:00

The Choristers sang at a wedding near Malmesbury in the holidays. We welcome our 2 new boys, Rowan and Ramsay, and Mr Chubb (Choral Scholar) and Mr Hodgkinson (Organ Scholar).

Last Evensong of term

2009-06-25T12:18:00.005+01:00

At our last Evensong of the term we said goodbye to the choristers who are moving on to senior schools. We also say goodbye to our Organ Scholar, Alex Eadon, and Choral Scholar, Ben Tambling. At the end of their probationary year, Douglas, Ethan, Laurence, Louis and Hugo were presented with their surplice. A reception was held in the grounds of Abbey House to mark the end of busy and successful year for Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum.

Kempsford Church

2009-06-13T10:29:00.005+01:00

The Choristers were asked to sing in a service at Kempsford Church to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment of the tower. A capacity church listened while the Director-General of the National Trust praised the work on the tower. It is a truly beautiful church. After singing inside the church, the boys climbed the tower and sang madrigals to the delight of all those in the garden below. According to one of the youngest Choristers, it was a scary but exciting experience!

Pittville Pump Room Sunday Showcase Concert

2009-05-11T14:35:00.003+01:00

The choristers sang in the Sunday Showcase Series in the Pitville Pump Room on 10th May to a very appreciative audience, giving several of the boys the chance to sing solos.

Reception for Tour Patrons

2009-05-08T08:00:00.005+01:00

On Thursday 7th May, a reception was held after Evensong at Tewkesbury Abbey to thank those who supported the trip to USA. Several of the choristers helped to hand round food and drinks, and were able to talk about their experiences to the Patrons. Photos of the trip were also on show.

2009-05-08T07:57:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday Mr Eadon!

2009-05-01T10:43:00.005+01:00

Mr Eadon is celebrating his birthday today! His party started after the bowling.....

Bowling Evening!

2009-05-01T10:32:00.002+01:00

After a busy few weeks the choristers found time for a bowling trip after Evensong.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T15:30:00.000+01:00

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T15:23:00.002+01:00

More photos will be available from Mrs Abbott (disc or memory stick with 130mb required!).

Facebook!

2009-04-08T22:01:00.001+01:00

Please join our page by becoming a fan of 'Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum of Dean Close Preparatory School' on Facebook!

Home.....

2009-04-08T21:48:00.002+01:00

We are back from a fantastic tour. Further photos and articles will be posted here, so please keep blogging on.

A last night party at Hal and Riba's

2009-04-06T04:14:00.001+01:00

The Palm Sunday service began in the Church Hall

2009-04-05T19:01:00.002+01:00

We processed into the church. There was no donkey!

2009-04-05T18:59:00.001+01:00

Father Steve celebrated Mass on Palm Sunday

2009-04-05T18:58:00.001+01:00

Our excellent CD sellers

2009-04-05T18:57:00.001+01:00

Party photos

2009-04-05T04:17:00.002+01:00

And more party photos

2009-04-05T04:15:00.001+01:00

More party photos

2009-04-05T04:13:00.001+01:00

A party in Virginia

2009-04-05T04:09:00.002+01:00

A truly wonderful party was held in our honour tonight. There were about 80 guests, and the gents and boys enjoyed the most beautiful grounds - complete with forest, jetty, swimming pool, a river etc.

Our concert at White Marsh

2009-04-04T05:07:00.002+01:00

Tonight we gave a concert in the series organised by Abingdon Arts at the beautiful church in White Marsh. What an acoustic! Men and boys did a great job, and there was a standing ovation from the packed audience. Alexander Eadon negotiated the fine organ with skill.

Notre Dames

2009-04-04T05:06:00.003+01:00

Mrs Abbott and Mrs McClaran!

Hugo, our note-giver

2009-04-03T22:12:00.003+01:00

Our joint-youngest chorister, Hugo, has been directing proceedings from the piano.

Gloucester, Virginia

2009-04-03T22:06:00.002+01:00

We are now on the last lap of our tour. The boys survived the 8 hr coach journey to Virginia, and even managed to learn Sunday's Mass (Gabrieli - Missa Brevis) at a short rehearsal last night. We are staying with yet more kind and generous hosts - the hospitality on this tour is SO good.

Today the boys have had a wonderful day at Jamestown (thanks to Mrs McClaran and Mrs Abbott) and the men have enjoyed a more lazy day in Williamsburg.

Tonight, we give our last concert...............

New York!

2009-04-03T03:03:00.002+01:00

We have had a fantastic time in New York. On Wednesday we visited The World Trade Centre and took some time to look down on to Ground Zero. The Statten Island ferry enabled us to view the Statue of Liberty from the water and to marvel at the incredible buildings that make up Manhattan. In the evening we gave a short concert at the New York HQ of HSBC on Fifth Avenue. A good number of Old Decanians and friends of the choir and school gathered for food, wine and music. Mr and Mrs Jonathan Lancashire and Mr and Mrs Taylor hosted the event on behalf of the school, and Mr Paul Lawrence, a Dean Close parents and CEO of HSBC New York hosted on behalf of the bank. We were on the top floor; the back-drop was simply stunning.

This morning, I was able to enjoy a run in Central Park, before we boarded the coach for the long journey down to White Marsh, Gloucester, Virginia.

New York

2009-04-01T06:22:00.002+01:00

We've had a great day! The choir did splendidly at St Thomas Church where we sang Evensong. We made it to New York's toy shop and to Central Park.

Father Steve and Mr Etherington

2009-03-31T14:10:00.000+01:00

Mr Scott and Mr Kenyon

2009-03-31T14:07:00.000+01:00

New Brunwick

2009-03-31T14:01:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we recorded a radio programme 'Cadenza' for Radio New Jersey. It will go out in May. They interviewed Marcus Emmerson and Dominic McClaran about life as a touring chorister, and recorded the choir and organ at the start of our afternoon rehearsal.

We had a great crowd last night. Good to have a church with an acoustic too! Mr Etherington gave a particularly memorable performance of Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, and the choir much enjoyed singing Gabriel Jackson's Magnificat.

The boys enjoyed several games of 'silent' frisbee in the churchyard.........

Our mascot

2009-03-30T18:53:00.000+01:00

A few photos from today

2009-03-30T18:41:00.002+01:00

Some very happy eaters

2009-03-30T18:36:00.002+01:00

Mr Nick blogging

2009-03-30T16:56:00.002+01:00

Messages to Mums

2009-03-30T16:43:00.002+01:00

Mr Halsey: Hi Mum! I have been washing, I promise!
Mr Tambling: Didn't make Mass on Sunday. I'm sorry.
Aaron: Hello!
Will: I'm on to my next batch.
Ollie: I love Bryn Mawr (and all that is there!)
David: To my sister: Hi Freya! Say hi to Lolly if you can.
Rory: Having LOTS of fun!
Ethan: Hi! Missing you like crazy.
Charlie: Can't wait to see you on Tuesday
Marcus: The hosts have been great, and they are sending a present back to England for me.
Harry: Don't know!
Joe: Having a great time!
Andrew: Love you all. Hope Cornwall was good!
George: Can't wait to go skiing. Love you!
Benoit: The last hosts were wicked! Love you.
Giles: Hello! We are in Starbucks right now.
Louis: Hello! I'm having a really nice time. Bye. Has mace window arrived yet?
Hugo: Hello! We went to a place called 'Funplex' yesterday. Bye.
Harriet: The chocolate frappucinos are good! And I'm missing you all!
Laurence: Having a great time. Love you loads.
Dominic: Missing you family, and missing good old English tea. Love you lots.

Group Photos

2009-03-30T16:41:00.002+01:00

High points so far

2009-03-30T16:30:00.002+01:00

The boys tackling gob-stoppers
Rector Stephanie's sermon yesterday in Essex Fells: we don't want a date with God, we want a marriage with God!
The unique 'Sursam Corda' at Mass yesterday. Unrepeatable.
The pizza party in Bryn Mawr
Aaron's dinner last night
Watching College basketball
Mrs Abbott's hight point: the first glass of wine (it took a while......)
Mr Nicholas's high point: attending St Thomas Church, NYC for Evensong on Passion Sunday (Lent 5). The finest choral singing one could ever hear.
Mr Etherington giggling at every organ which cannot cope with Walker's Dance my heart!
Bumping into Mr Jones (from DCPS) in Bryn Mawr
Mrs Mc Claran's high point: the scallops last night

Essex Fells

2009-03-29T17:46:00.003+01:00

This is our first visit to Essex Fells, NJ. From Eagle Rock (1km away) you can look down on New York - what a view! From the 9/11 Memorial Garden you can make out the famous landmarks, and see where the twin towers once stood. Many of the locals work in Wall Street.
St Peter's Church is a well equipped religious centre, complete with plush drawing rooms, a rehearsal room and a large hall for all the church to eat in. The church itself is an attractive space, but with little acoustic. We have been brilliantly looked after - from the lunch yesterday, to the party after the concert and now the brunch (that great American institution) today. The audience last night was most enthusiastic and our CDs sales were the best yet.
This morning we joined with the Choir of St Peter's for the Sung Eucharist - always great to hook up - and our own Father Steve read the gospel.
I am not able to upload photos today, but will hope to tomorrow.

Bunny

2009-03-28T13:32:00.002Z

You may spot the Bunny! He lives in the Song School at Hardy House, Dean Close Prep School, and the choir always travels with him. He has also been photographed at the Liberty Bell, Heathrow etc.

Some more photos

2009-03-28T05:14:00.001Z

Concert in Bryn Mawr

2009-03-28T05:10:00.004Z

A good first concert of the tour. I want to make mention of some excellent solo singing: Aaron King and Benoit Andre in the Wesley, Aaron and Laurence Kilsby in the MacMillan, Laurence and Benoit in the Mendelssohn, Charlie and Aaron in the Weelkes. Mr Scott in the Wilby, Mr Acock and Mr Kenyon in the Weelkes and Oli Gay and Harry Rees in the Wesley. Also a splendid performance from Mr Etherington of works by Reger and Alain, and Mr Eadon and Mr Etherington combined for the organ part in Walker's Dance, my heart! Many thanks to them.

You never know who will be there - tonight we had a gentleman from Chipping Campden and an Old Decanian!

Some photos from today

2009-03-27T19:43:00.000Z

A beautiful morning

2009-03-27T12:46:00.002Z

Where we are staying could be off a film set. We had rain yesterday, but today is absolutely gorgeous. I'm eating breakfast watching Mr Tambling play ball in the churchyard, dodging the tomb stones. We have just packed Huw and Angela Williams' daughter on to her school bus - the yellow bus actually collects from the kids' houses. Now that's an idea!

End of Day

2009-03-27T00:49:00.003Z

We have been on a train today - the commuter train into Philadelphia. A city full of 'Independence'. The choristers spent time at the 'Liberty Bell' and wanted to know more about the 'Declaration of Independence'. A highlight for me was the organ concert at the Wannamaker store - now known as Macey's. It is the largest playable instrument in the world - there are pipes on the five floors of the store. The choristers' first reaction was 'but it's not a church!' - as though organs could only ever be in a church....
Our rehearsals for tomorrow's concert have gone well, and we are looking forward to a good first gig.

A goodnight's sleep

2009-03-26T11:29:00.003Z

Yesterday,whilst a very long day, went very well. Virgin Atlantic is a child's paradise: numerous movies, fairly old comedies (no Yes, Minister), and lots of games. It's interactive so that you can find out which other seats (or passengers) are up for chess and play with them. Our RA only allowed for choristers to play eachother. The food was surprisingly OK, although a quick glance at the melting cheese roll in first class made me think that an upgrade would have been exciting.
Great views of New York added excitement as we prepared for landing.
Our journey to the leafy suburbs of Bryn Mawr (Mrs Abbott stills thinks we are at the wrong church) was about an hour and a half. We meet for chorister rehearsal at 8.15am.......

Schola at Heathrow!

2009-03-25T13:05:00.002Z

An excellent journey down the M4, with good views of Windsor castle and Eton College Chapel, and we are at Heathrow sitting in the departure lounge. Group check-in was very efficient and, for most people, security was straight forward. A casualty of the tight regime was Benoit's marmite - this is now in the hands of the Airport Security.

The Year 8 choristers are enjoying their first 'Starbucks' of the trip.........

Last minute..............

2009-03-24T17:22:00.002Z

There has been a buzz of excitement today at both Dean Close and the Abbey. Tickets and visas have been double checked, money counted and CDs wrapped. The Risk Assessment has been tweaked and now clarifies our strategy in most eventualities. Mr Tambling has counted the music copies and has prepared a folder for each. We are all looking forward to take-off.
A few last minute reminders for the parents of choristers:

The bus will depart from Shelburne Road
Choristers will travel in casual clothes
Please hand passports and monies to Mrs Abbott (if you have not already done so)
Please make sure that your son's packed lunch is in a disposable bag

BWN

Music Programme

2009-03-24T00:26:00.005Z

Our concerts will open with three striking pieces written in the last fifteen years: Jonathan Dove's Ecce beatam lucem (written for the Eton Choral Courses), John Tavener's Mother of God, here I stand, an incredibly beautiful work extracted from the composer's epic The Veil of the Temple, and James MacMillan's Christus Vincit written for John Scott and St Paul's Cathedral Choir in 1994.

Our next group includes sublime motets by Tallis and Byrd and Thomas Weelkes' Christ rising again - a great showcase for treble and alto duet. Bach's Lobet den Herrn completes the first half of the programme.

The second half opens with S.S. Wesley's Ascribe unto the Lord - a large scale anthem with a particularly fine quartet O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Mendelssohn's 200th anniversary is marked with the inclusion of I waited for the Lord from Lobegesang.

We return to the Twentieth Century for the last section of the programme: Poulenc's great Passiontide motet Vinea mea electa, Philip Wilby's Choral Blessing and Robert Walker's Dance, my heart for joy!

In some concerts and at our service in St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City, we will include Gabriel Jackson's setting of the evening canticles The Tewkesbury Service. This long and elaborate setting was commissioned for the choir by Michael Amherst in honour of his father's 75th birthday.

Services and Concerts

2009-02-27T12:25:00.002Z

Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum of Dean Close Preparatory School
Benjamin Nicholas, Director
Carleton Etherington and Alexander Eadon, Organists

Friday 27 March 18.00
Evening Concert at Church of The Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saturday 28 March 19.30
Evening Concert at St Peter’s Church, Essex Fells, New Jersey

Sunday 29 March 10.30
Morning Service at St Peter’s Church, Essex Fells, New Jersey

Monday 30 March 19.30
Evening Concert at Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Tuesday 31 March 17.30
Choral Evensong at St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York

Wednesday 1 April 18.00
Evening Reception and Concert at HSBC, Fifth Avenue, New York

Friday 3 April 19.30
Evening Concert at The Abingdon Church, Gloucester, Virginia

Sunday 5 April 10.00
Morning Service for Palm Sunday at The Abingdon Church, Gloucester, Virginia

Schola Cantorum

2009-02-23T14:29:00.003Z

Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum consists of eighteen boy trebles and nine Layclerks. All of the boy choristers are educated at Dean Close Preparatory School in Cheltenham - located about ten miles from Tewkesbury. The choir sings the weekday services in 900 year old Tewkesbury Abbey: Choral Evensong on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and Sung Eucharist or Choral Evensong on Thursday in addition to a busy concert and recording schedule.

The choir regularly works with orchestras (Mahler's Third Symphony, Britten's War Requiem and Honneger's Cantate une Noel) and has recorded a number of highly acclaimed discs on the Delphian and Hyperion labels. Many composers have written for the choir, including Gabriel Jackson, Bob Chilcott and Philip Wilby.

Benjamin Nicholas is Director of the Choir and Head of Choral Music at Dean Close School. A graduate of Oxford University and a former Organ Scholar of St Paul's Cathedral, he is known for his work with a number of choirs - not least the new choral foundation at Merton College, Oxford where he is a member of staff.

Carleton Etherington is Organist and Director of Music at Tewkesbury Abbey and an organ recitalist of international repute. A former Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year, his performances of the romantic repertoire have received wide acclaim.