Music

I did not make it in time to hear any of the music at tonight's Society concert, but at the reception afterwards which I was able to attend there was quite a buzz. The performers had clearly had a great time and the audience were delighted. 'Even better than last time,' was one comment, and the consensus was that the quality was very high. Congratulations to Quentin Thomas, the Haileybury Director of Music and his team.

Music School

It was not just OHs present, but also some non OH parents of former pupils. That the Society can reach beyond simply alumni is surely a good thing.

How remarkable that such great results can be gained from a disparate group of people who had only begun to rehearse together that afternoon. Music is like that I suppose, different from a football team, which seemingly needs to work together for some time to obtain tip top results or a group of managers or the crew of a ship need to 'bond' for the highest results. Or maybe music is not different at all in that respect and the empathy which comes from being Haileyburians allows the choir and orchestra to come together in short order.

New Guv's Test 4

We have had a dayoff from the test. On Tuesday the question was "Where are the Penthouses at Haileybury?" The Penthouses are grander than they once were. They used to be two bits of corrugated iron forming a sort of metal ridge tent. They still serve the same purpose: to provide a dry place to put your tracksuit and other kit when you are playing sport in the rain. The answer is "On the edge of XX Acre."

I promised that the next question would have a musical flavour. I think this is one which Roger Bass, (HM Hailey 1986) added to the test as he thought that we should be able to answer the query of any bemused visitor who looked at the panel outside the music school and asked what it all meant.

"apta camenis"

The words come from a poem written by EH Bradby and carved in panels round the Bradby Hall. When the new Music School was opened in 1979 the 'Bridge of Sighs' was built to join it to the Bradby. The panel was removed to allow for the bridge.

Your question is: What does the writing on the panel mean?

Choirs and Orchestras

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…

Haileyburia

An obituary of Alison Stephens (Aby & Ha 1986) has appeared in the Guardian. A friend who is not a Haileyburian asks whether this is the first obituary in a national newspaper of a female OH.

The Sadness of Winter

Alison Stephens (Aby & Ha 86) died this week. She was an immensely talented mandolin player. Here she is playing a piece called La Tristezza D'Inverno - the Sadness of Winter.

Lift up Your Hearts

Lots of things happen at Haileybury when the school is on holiday. This is grace before breakfast at European Youth Summer Music which is the Federation of Festivals' summer course.

Haileybury Week

Quentin Thomas, director of Music at Haileybury writes

Dear All,

HAILEYBURY WEEK celebrates its 2nd birthday this year. Still in its 'development stage', we're aiming to end every academic year in a blaze of glory, expanding each year until 2012 when Haileybury celebrates its 150th anniversary. This year, starting this week, we host numerous activities, delectable concerts, plays, recitals, the 70th anniversary of the Madrigals at Great Amwell, art installations, tennis, cricket, athletics… Haileybury Week 2011 will additionally feature our infamous Cabaret and the Tattoo (Marching of formidable Military Bands around the Quad) and a helpful brochure sent out around the Easter time. By 2012, we hope, in addition to 2011's endeavours to have a major pop-group band in Quad, a combined chorus and orchestra performance in Quad, commissioned music, fairground etc etc.

Bring friends, bring family… Please forward this to ANYONE you think might like to join us in our exciting venture.

For more information, do please consult the Arts & Events brochure / the display boards that will be put up around the campus - or the website

Hoping to see you at an event in the near future. 

With best wishes in the meantime,

Quentin Thomas

Director of Music

Tickets can be obtained online from the Haileybury Box Office or phone 01992 706 200