Music Trip To London

An extremely memorable Music Department trip to London took place on Tuesday 6th October. Six organ students gave a fabulous lunchtime concert in the church of St Lawrence Jewry, right next to the Guildhall in the heart of the city. 

The performers were Lucky, Minnie, Chloe, Anya, Maya and Mohan. They played an impressively wide range of repertoire with great musicality, confidence and flair.  It was all the more impressive given that they had hardly any time to warm up on an unfamiliar instrument.  

Immediately after the concert, all students visited St Paul’s Cathedral.  We were given a guided tour of the building’s Grand Organ by the Cathedral Organist, James Orford, who was extremely generous with his time.  In 45 minutes he demonstrated all the sounds available from the five manuals (keyboards), with sounds from the pipes coming from all over the cathedral, including up in the famous dome. 

After a quick pizza break, we returned for what was a great privilege – to hear some of the afternoon choir rehearsal with the amazing choristers, both boys and girls aged between ten and thirteen. The discipline and professionalism of these young children were inspiring to witness, and of course the singing was extremely beautiful. 

We were then ushered into the Cathedral for front-row seats under the dome to hear the Evensong service at 5pm.  It happened to be a specially extended service to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first English translation of the New Testament by William Tyndale (a native of Gloucestershire!) in 1526. 

There was a surprise special guest, who did the readings in pre-Shakespearean English, actor Adjoa Andoh MBE.

The final special treat was James Orford’s offer to play us the loudest possible sounds available on the Grand Organ.  We were treated to the West Door Trumpets – an extraordinary sound meant to welcome in the Monarch on Royal Occasions (though the late Queen thought they were too loud, so they haven’t been used much publicly in the last 60 years). 

Both Chloe and Lucky actually tried the organ with virtually all the stops out – an experience we will all remember for a very long time! 

Mr Jones, Head of Keyboard Studies