The great Jack Hindmarsh would test the New Gu'vs for the choir. We queued up outside the vestry of the chapel where there was an upright piano. He would play a note or two and the boy had to sing it back to him. To those with musical talent and the desire to join the choir he gave a full music copy of the hymn book (Hymns Ancient and Modern Revised in those days) and sent them up the stairs to the gallery. The others were given a melody only book and sent to the pews. I had not finished "singing" my note before I was off to the pews with the melody only book in my hand. I am always in awe of those who can sing and play.
I gather much the same music test is done today for girls and boys on entry to the school. Many many of them do make the journey up to the gallery. The music department at Haileybury should be proud of the young people who performed at last night's concert in S John's Smith Square. It was a wonderfully varied programme: saxophones; piano; jazz; orchestral music; voices, even a drum solo. Lots of parents and OHs were there as well as other friends of Haileybury. It was in aid of the Attlee Fund to provide bursaries for pupils to go to Haileybury who would not otherwise be able to do so. As one who himself went to Haileybury on a bursary it is a cause close to my heart. You can support the fund here.The answer to yesterday's New Guv's Question will be given tomorrow; and the question after that will have a musical flavour…
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