CCF
Our evenings saw us abseiling off the climbing tower in
camp or firing weapons on the DCCT range where our
shooting skills were analysed by the computer and our
accuracy of fire was much improved. Our military training
packages saw us carrying out drills for a platoon attack
which was successfully completed in the dry, only to be
subjected to another rain burst as we formed up at the end
of the exercise, but it was refreshingly cool after the day’s
activity. We also completed a “section in defence”
withdrawal from engagement. Further time was spent on
the 30-metre range and once again in the DCCT range.
The leadership stand proved challenging with 15
checkpoints to navigate, of which eight were manned with
July. After a heat wave during the last week of the school
term we attended camp suitably stocked with sun cream
and jerry cans for water in anticipation of dehydration
problems. Our first day saw us rise to wind and rain! We
spent the day caving north of Ingleton in the Long Churn
and Diccan cave system, a system well known to past
a variety of command tasks. Of the 36 teams entered into
the competition we were placed 26th in a closely-fought
competition and much was learnt about teamwork. This
provided us with good experience in readiness for the final
day of activity which was the inter-contingent competition
day.
generations of OOs who have caved here on CCF Easter
adventure training camps. The party was split into two
groups who entered the system either by abseiling the
waterfall in Upper Long Churn or crawling through the
tunnel at Diccan. There were a number of tight squeezes for
cadets and staff alike. The names of some of the passes
provided as much entertainment for the cadets as the sight
of their staff discovering that the waistline wasn’t what it
used to be!
We arrived at camp as a party of eight cadets and were
joined to a similar size party of nine cadets from The King’s
School, Rochester, for the remainder of the week’s training.
It is to the credit of both schools that the cadets mixed well
and forged a good bond of friendship and co-operation as
the week progressed.
Our activities included a half day of signals training in
which cadets were introduced to semaphore and transmitted
messages by flag. They also used radios to direct blindfolded
groups through obstacles, culminating in rounding them up
in a sheep pen! The watermanship exercise of raft building
and racing against King’s proved great fun and was
thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. The activity was
organized and run by 75 Engineer Regiment who also laid
on a mine-clearing exercise which was thoroughly enjoyed
Robert Jones
where, following a period of instruction, they came across
INTER-CONTINGENT COMPETITION
by all. Both schools also took part in a combat first-aid stand
a road traffic accident and had to assess the injuries and
apply appropriate first aid. Suitably covered in mock blood
some of our cadets resisted the temptation to wash off their
war wounds for several days afterwards!
The day began with the march and shoot competition in
which we teamed up with King’s Rochester as a combined
unit. We were drawn first to compete which proved to our
The Oswestrian – 11
CCF
advantage as the heat built up quickly. We were on the
and the encouragement they offered to the cadets. This was
departure for the march phase of the competition. We
feel encouraged by this experience to also come on camp
vehicle park at 7.30am ready for inspection and then
competed well in both the march and assault course phases
losing only one penalty point. As we entered the shoot phase
of the competition we were confident of doing well and our
shooting team did not let us down. We were informed that
our shooting team had set a high standard and, although
we in the end failed to make the first three places,
nevertheless it was a highly contested competition in which
we performed very well.
My thanks go to the cadets who attended camp for their
good teamwork and enthusiasm. My thanks also go to the
contingent staff who were unstinting in the time they gave
a truly memorable camp and I hope that more cadets will
next year.
O
Biennial inspection and 24-hour exercises
RGE
ur CCF had a busy couple of weeks after coming back
from the Easter break. There was a biennial inspection
followed by two 24-hour exercises, all three exercises taking
place at Nesscliff training camp.
During the biennial inspection there were two separate
exercises taking place, one involving year 9 cadets in which
the new cadets had their first taste of being on a training
area and learnt about basic
fieldcraft. The other exercise
involved year 10 cadets and a
number of NCOs in platoon
manoeuvres. The year 10
cadets had previously only
worked in sections for all three
of
their
patrols—harbour
patrols, reconnaissance patrols
and fighting patrols—so this
was a natural progression for
the cadets.
The
exercise
involved
setting up a platoon harbour
and learning about platoon
harbour drills, sending out
sections from the harbour area
for reconnaissance and the
functions of an HQ section
within a platoon environment.
During the exercise the
year 10 cadets were involved
in three section attacks and
undertook their first platoon
attack under the watchful eye
of the inspecting Brigadier CJ
Murray, CBE.
Year 10s and the NCOs
were again in action as a
platoon in the next 24-hour
exercise using their new skills
as a platoon in their harbour
area and, through instruction,
learning more about harbour
drills, platoon and section
12 – The Oswestrian
orders in the field and refining
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
hour training exercise on OBUA (operating in built-up areas).
The cadets took a great deal from this training and became
very skilled at clearing rooms and buildings using covering
positions and, as a platoon, securing and clearing a built-up
area. The exercise culminated in two well-worked platoon
attacks on multiple enemy positions, a fitting end to an
intensive and enjoyable year for the year 10 cadets and
NCOs.
The year 9 cadets were next into action on their 24-hour
exercise. Weapons safety and training and learning how to
cook in the field were the two evening activities. This was
followed by night patrols in which cadets were introduced
to night vision techniques, sounds and reactions to a number
those drills through a number of mock drills to test their
skills. There were three section night reconnaissance patrols
during which one section came under enemy fire. The
following morning the platoon practised harbour drills in
J
the event of an attack on the harbour area and began a three
of scenarios. In the morning the cadets were introduced to
platoon harbours and how to set them up including putting
up bashers and camouflage and concealment. The cadets
were then introduced to section attacks by a demonstration
team of NCOs performing a section attack.
M Philp
The house competitions
UST AS in the previous two years, no one was
POINTS TOTALS AND POSITIONS
entirely sure which was the winning house before
the result was announced on Speech Day, so close
had it been throughout the year.
largely due to winning Sports Day and all the rounders
competitions. It still depended on the last competition result
School debits and credits. Oswald had just pipped it.
COMMENDATIONS
CROSS-COUNTRY
DRAMA
FOOTBALL
Boys
Girls
U13
Junior 6-a-Side
Senior 6-a-Side
Junior
Senior
Senior Girls
HOCKEY
Junior Girls
Senior
Junior
LS CREDITS & DEBITS
MUSIC
3
3
2
2
2
3
4
1
3
2
1
5
4
1
4
2 12
3
1
2
3
2
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5
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1
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1 20
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2 12
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2 12
5
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1
1
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1
5
2
5
3
1
SPO
Pos Pts
3
1
2
1
OSW
Pos Pts
1
1
4
3
5
SPOONER
115
NETBALL
Senior
ROUNDERS
Senior
Junior
Junior
SPORTS DAY
SWIMMING
TENNIS
Mixed
Senior
Junior
Boys
Girls
Boys’ Doubles
5
Girls’ Doubles
1
Junior Boys
1 20
118
DONNE
to be announced, though, which was the Lower and Middle
DON
Pos Pts
120
BURNABY
Oswald House had left it late but their resurgence was
BUR
Pos Pts
OSWALD
Mixed
Junior Girls
72
BUR
Pos Pts
4
3
4
1
2
1
DON
Pos Pts
3
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1
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OSW
Pos Pts
2
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SPO
Pos Pts
1
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1
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1 15
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1
The Oswestrian – 13
T
From the Archives
A letter from Joseph Conrad
HIS YEAR, the school received an email from Dr
philosophical and partly biographical work by Thomas
at Uppsala University in Sweden. Dr Donovan
for the latter prompted the editor of The Oswestrian to ask
Stephen Donovan, who is a lecturer in English
is also a scholar of the writer and novelist Joseph
Conrad and he is preparing an online database of all his
work in serial form, its intended audience being students
and general readers of Conrad around the world. Apparently
a letter from Conrad had appeared in the December 1922
issue of The Oswestrian and not only did Dr Donovan want
to put up a scanned copy of the letter as it was originally
published, he wanted the rest of the magazine too! This was
in accordance with the way the rest of his
writings would be presented on the site, so
that students can appreciate the contexts
in which they first appeared.
Quite what scholars around the world
will make of all our cricket matches
reported in the issue remains to be seen
but it was thought that an account of the
school in 1862 that was included in its
pages might be interesting enough to
reprint in next year’s issue. The website,
which is still under development, can be
seen at www.conradfirst.net.
Joseph
Conrad
(1857-1924)
is
remembered today as the author of such
works as Lord Jim, The Secret Agent and
The Heart of Darkness. Born in Ukraine
of Polish parents, his real name was
Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski
and English was his third language.
He spent the first half of his life as a
sailor, starting as a deck hand and
working his way up to master
mariner. He eventually became a
British subject in 1886.
In 1902 he wrote the short story
Youth, an account of some of his
experiences at sea. In it he mentions
that he read Sartor Resartus, a partly
14 – The Oswestrian
Carlyle, and Burnaby’s A Ride to Khiva. His stated preference
for a letter from him. His admiration for Burnaby was
confirmed by the letter he duly supplied.
That letter is reprinted here with the original layout and
punctuation, together with the relevant extract from Youth.
It can also be found in The Collected Letters of Joseph Conrad,
Volume 7: 1920-1922, edited by Laurence Davies and JH Stape
(Cambridge University Press, 2005) page 553.
But how deep and how genuine was Conrad’s
admiration for Burnaby, a man who died fighting for the
CORRESPONDEN
CE.
The following lette
r has been received
in response to a re
from Mr. Joseph Co
quest for a few lin
nrad,
es about Colonel Bu
whose “Ride to Khi
rnaby (O.O.),
va” he praises so hi
ghly in Youth:—
“To the Editor of Th
e Oswestrian.
“DEAR SIR,
“I was away from
home for a few da
ys when your lette
Hence the delay in
r arrived.
acknowledging it.
“As you may imag
ine, I never knew Co
years I was at sea;
l. Fred. Burnaby. In
and it was on my
those
return from a voya
Indies that I saw in
ge to the East
the first paper (it w
as the old Standard
on coming ashore,
) I picked up
the news of his de
ath.
“He was a loveable
personality and, I am
one. His professiona
glad to say, an appr
l ability was fully re
eciated
cognised and his fin
made him fit for th
e character
e high position whi
ch he would have re
lived. I suppose yo
ached had he
u know that Lord
Wolseley, a good
intended him to tak
judge of men,
e command of the
Metemneh Column
to Sir H. Steward, sh
in succession
ould the latter be wo
unded or killed. Sir
was killed on reac
H. Steward
hing the Nile, but
Burnaby was no lo
take his place. The
nger there to
road to the highest
distinction lay open
when he was struc
before him
k down at Abu-Kle
a.
“Pray accept, with
my best wishes for
the prosperity of yo
Magazine, my best
ur School
thanks for your fri
endly and interesti
ng letter.
“With my love to
the School—Maste
rs and Boys—
“I am,
Yours sincerely,
“JOSEPH CONRA
D.”
JOSEPH CONRAD
from YOUTH, by Joseph Conrad
On the third day the gale died
name of Abraham. Mrs Beard
country tug picked us up. We
all wrinkled and ruddy like a
out, and by-and-by a north-
took sixteen days in all to get
from London to the Tyne! When
we got into dock we had lost our
turn for loading, and they hauled
us off to a pier where we
remained for a month. Mrs Beard
(the captain’s name was Beard)
was an old woman, with a face
once, sewing on a button, and
understand much of the first then;
young girl. She caught sight of me
insisted on having my shirts to
repair. This was something
different from the captains’ wives
I had known on board crack
crew of runners had left, and
They want mending, I am sure,
one boy, and the steward, a
mulatto who answered to the
meantime I read for the first time
Sartor Resartus and Burnaby’s
clippers. When I brought her the
there remained only the officers,
overhauled my outfit for me, and
winter apple, and the figure of a
came from Colchester to see the
old man. She lived on board. The
do.” Bless the old woman. She
shirts, she said: “And the socks?
and John’s—Captain Beard’s—
things are all in order now. I
would be glad of something to
Ride to Khiva. I didn’t
but I remember I preferred the
soldier to the philosopher at the
time; a preference which life has
only confirmed. One was a man,
and the other was either more—
or less. However, they are both
dead, and Mrs Beard is dead, and
youth, strength, genius, thoughts,
achievements, simple hearts—all
die… No matter.
British empire in the Sudan? After all, in The Heart of Darkness
criminal private company. In 1903 a scandal erupted when
not a pretty thing as he comes across an ivory trader in Africa
was exploiting his land in the Congo Free State, later the
to rule the natives around a trading station with great
comparison of a reprehensible kind of imperialism (Belgians,
the narrator, Marlow, says that the conquest of the earth is
called Kurtz, who has used his greater knowledge and guns
barbarity. Elsewhere, he is disgusted by the greed shown by
other traders and their exploitation of the natives.
Although Burnaby’s death was widely lamented in
Britain, not everyone shared the sentiment. The antiimperialist poet Wilfred Blunt (1840-1922), for example,
wrote in his diary: “He got what he deserved, for he was a
it came to light how brutally King Leopold II of Belgium
Belgian Congo. Marlow’s comment makes most sense as a
privateers, plunderers) with an honest and historically
inevitable one (British, governed by law and ideals). That
would certainly have been the view of Blackwood’s circle,
an association of conservative political commentators with
whom Conrad was well acquainted.
Whatever the case, Conrad’s non-fiction prose and letters
mere butcher.”
provide no support whatsoever for the view that he had any
celebrated British explorers and adventurers, such as
and administering overseas colonies. We can therefore be
And yet it is known that Conrad had a high regard for
Livingstone and Mungo Park. It is significant that Kurtz is
O
not British but Belgian and in the employment of a clearly
doubts about the wisdom or desirability of Britain acquiring
reasonably sure that Conrad was an unwavering British
patriot.
A former pupil’s tribute to Winston Churchill
SWESTRY SCHOOL became the proud
beneficiary of the largest single collection of
work of one of its former pupils: the famous
sculptor and artist Ivor Roberts-Jones, CBE.
Over 20 plaster maquettes were donated to the school,
comprising a variety of animals from horses to pumas and
a portrait plaster of the writer and explorer of the Arab world
Freya Stark. The most exciting piece by far, though, was a
larger-than-life-sized head and shoulders plaster of Winston
Churchill for a replica bronze of the Parliament Square
statue. Made for the Czech government, it measures an
impressive 55 inches (140 cm) in circumference.
The Winston Churchill monument in Parliament Square,
London, which was commissioned in the early 1970s by the
Royal Fine Arts Commission, is the most famous of RobertsJones’ works. Since his death in 1996 some of his Winston
Churchill maquettes have fetched a high price at auction:
one being a 22-inch bronze, which made an impressive
£114,000 at Christie’s in London.
Mr Peter Edwards—an Old Oswestrian and a school
The Oswestrian – 15
IVOR ROBERTS-JONES
On his return to London he took a studio at Holland
Park, which he retained until his death, and became a parttime teacher at Goldsmiths College. He produced a portrait
of Clive Gardiner, the principal of Goldsmiths, in 1953, and
in the same year held his first solo show at the Beaux-Arts
Gallery. Commissions soon followed for a half-lifesize bronze
of St Francis for the Lady Chapel in Ardleigh Church, Essex,
and a portrait of Somerset Maugham from Lord
Beaverbrook, while the Tate Gallery purchased his portrait
head of the French writer Paul Claudel.
His first full-scale commission was to produce a
memorial of the British painter Augustus John in 1961. This
brought him public recognition and led to his election as an
The head of Churchill with other examples of Roberts-Jones’s work
governor who is equally famous in his own right as an
accomplished and much sought-after portrait artist—
together with Alistair Tucker, then our head of art, was
instrumental in the acquisition of this valuable collection.
Ivor Roberts-Jones was born on 2 November 1913. He
studied at Oswestry School before going on to Goldsmiths
College School of Art in 1932, followed by the Royal
Academy Schools. During the second world war he served
in the 53rd Welsh Division of the Royal Artillery and saw
action in the Jungle Field Artillery in Burma from 1940-46.
associate of the Royal Academy.
Roberts-Jones was appointed head of the sculpture
department at Goldsmiths, a position he held from 1964 to
1978. While in this key position he was asked to produce
what has become his most famous work: the Winston
Churchill monument in Parliament Square, Westminster,
which was installed in 1975. Election as a royal academician
and the award of a CBE soon followed, as did the
commission for a further Winston Churchill monument in
New Orleans.
From 1970, Roberts-Jones shared his time between
London and Suffolk, living first at Cratfield and then, from
1986, at Shimpling. He died on 9 December 1996.
Some of our most recent Old Oswestrians—those who left Holbache House in 2006. Back row: Mohamed Mohamed, William Cleary, Robert Jones,
Roman Sachon, Robert Wu. Front row: Natasha Keasberry, Daniel Poon, Jimmy Jia, Sze Nee Lim
16 – The Oswestrian
I
OSWESTRY STATION
Oswestry Station is reopened to the public
F YOU haven’t been through Oswestry for a while,
you may remember Oswestry Station as the forlorn
and empty building opposite the Aldi supermarket
on Oswald Road. From this building Cambrian
Railways had once managed some 300 miles of track,
stretching from Wrexham and Whitchurch in the east to
Pwllheli and Aberystwyth on the coast and Brecon in the
south. However the building has now taken on a new lease
of life as a new visitor attraction for Oswestry!
In June 2006, after a huge refurbishment, the doors
opened on Oswestry’s brand new visitor centre; the former
station has become the Cambrian Visitor Centre, housing a
A model of School House and below an Oswestry School pupil, 1885
experience, telling people about the coming of the railway
who was also responsible for the revival of the black and
When plans to build a rail link between Shrewsbury and
popular in Chester around this time, together with The
restaurant, a Tourist Information Centre and a visitor
and its effects on a town like Oswestry.
Chester were first put forward Oswestry did not want to be
included, so land was acquired to allow the
white half-timbered Tudor-style buildings that became
Grosvenor and Queen hotels in that city.
After the 1920s railway reorganization,
railway to be built, along with a station at
things continued as they always had, through
away from Oswestry. However, in 1848 a
beyond, but the infamous Beeching Report of
Gobowen, along a line looping three miles
nationalization of the railway network and
branch off the Shrewsbury and Chester
the early 1960s changed all that. On 7
railway running to Oswestry from a junction
November 1966, passenger services were
located at Gobowen was built. It was the start
ended with the closure of the Gobowen to
of a huge expansion as Oswestry became a
Oswestry branch. Passenger trains to and
vast railway town.
from Oswestry stopped in 1965, and the line
A magnificent Italianate style station
was closed down completely in 1971.
building, known as Oswestry Cam, followed
The visitor experience includes “Oswestry
in 1860 and in 1865 the Cambrian Railway
Journeys” which considers the people who
amalgamation of smaller companies, with
their way to other buildings in Oswestry and
Company
was
formed,
through
an
have passed through the station building on
Oswestry as its new headquarters. Across the
which of those buildings remain. An
tracks from the station, workshops opened
Oswestry School boy of 1885, making his way
where engines and wagons were built; Oswestry was
from Whittington daily, is featured, as is a model of School
An Old Oswestrian designer of stations
their memories of travelling through the station and where
Shropshire’s answer to Crewe or Swindon.
It is a little-known fact that all the stations along the
line,
including
they were travelling to in Oswestry.
Many of the OOs reading this will have travelled through
most
the station on their way to school, either daily from nearby
an Old Oswestrian, architect Thomas Mainwaring Penson,
places much further afield than Whittington. If you have
Shrewsbury-Chester
railway
House. Visitors to the exhibition are invited to contribute
importantly Shrewsbury and Gobowen, were designed by
Useful links
http://www.cambrianrailwaystrust.com
http://www.cambrian-railways-soc.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian_Railway_Society
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian_Railway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambrian_Railway_Trust
towns and villages or at the start and end of each term from
memories of your journeys we would like to hear from you
and we will forward them to be included in the exhibition.
Please contact the Old Oswestrian secretary with your
recollections at [email protected].
When you are next in Oswestry, do stop and have a look
at the exhibition.
Hazel Yates
The Oswestrian – 17
T
Music & Drama
The musical year
HE MUSICAL year started with almost indecent
Williams, was the vehicle for a fine solo performance from
threw themselves into preparing for the harvest
in the tenor part (largely due to lack of them, rather than
haste as a newly-evolved Lower School choir
festival service, working hard on the antiphonal
anthem From the ends of the earth and the accompanying
hymns. This is always a special occasion, with the chapel
beautifully decorated with flowers and harvest produce. It
is also the first opportunity for parents to see their off-spring
in action in a busy term, musically speaking.
Preparations for Founder’s Day had already begun, with
the senior choir, complete with an intake of year 7 pupils for
the first time, making inroads into an unusual and
Samantha Herbert. In both cases, despite some deficiencies
quality), the choir demonstrated some secure and expressive
singing, ably and sensitively accompanied by Mr Symons
at the organ. The senior band opened proceedings on the
day with another American piece, entitled Dialogues. As the
entire piece hinged on interplay between drummer, Alun
Morris, and the brass section, neither of whom could see
each other or the conductor, owing to unfamiliar positioning
in the church imposed on the morning, this was a
remarkably coherent performance! A lively, contemporary
challenging setting of Alleluia by the American composer
anthem from Bellan choir, under the temporary direction of
this particular group of brave souls coped, both in rehearsal
to hear the congregation too!
Randall Thompson. I was delighted by the way in which
and in performance. The introit, O Taste and See by Vaughan
Mrs Seward, was particularly well received. It was satisfying
Christmas concerts and services
With Founder’s Day still fresh in the memory, it was time
to push on with preparations for the end of term. Lower
School staged their traditional nativity play/musical, with
the bulk of the actors drawn from year 6, very ably
supported by an accompanying chorus of year 5 pupils who
are particularly vocally gifted this year. As with most Lower
School activities, the intention is that everyone takes part,
to give them as broad a musical experience as possible. The
children’s enthusiastic participation and involvement in the
short carol service which follows on in a candle-lit chapel
make this an endearingly refreshing traditional event.
In the same week, the December Dazzler, aka the
Christmas concert showed the tremendous depth of talent
that exists within the school at the moment, with items from
representatives of every year group. After an initial hiatus,
caused by a certain young lady who arrived late and without
the vocal group’s music (sh!), the band swung into a version
of Let Me Entertain You and the more seasonal White
Christmas. (We got the dreaded audience participation in
early this year!) Two items from the assured Will Cleary
(voice and guitar) provided the audience with some gentle
Libby Gliksman and Tristan Hartey in Guys and Dolls
18 – The Oswestrian
respite before a selection of Lower and Middle school soloists
continued to entertain us with a mixture of the well-known
THE MUSICAL YEAR
The Annual House Music Competition
Held on Thursday 16 March 2006. The adjudicators were Mr TE Watson and Mr KS Hawkins.
DONNE HOUSE
Captains Jenny Collinge, James Wilcox-Jones, Mandy
Kwan, Cindy Kwan and Natasha Keasberry
Choir
Wings
OSWALD HOUSE
Captain
Samantha Rogers
Choir
As Long As I Have Music (Besig, Price)
SPOONER HOUSE
Captain
Wisely Chau and Peter Watkiss
Build Me Up, Buttercup (The Foundations)
Choir
BURNABY HOUSE
Captains Victoria Booth and Ben Calveley
Choir
Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
SENIOR ENSEMBLES
Donne
Country Garden: Cindy Kwan and Natasha
Keasberry, piano duet
Oswald
Somethin’ Stupid: Samantha Rogers, Jake Larner,
Claudia Hickson, Charlotte Eve, Jonathan
Edwards and Chris Harvey
Spooner
Seven Years (Norah Jones): William Cleary,
Libby Gliksman and Edward Wadon
Burnaby
Wonder Wall (Oasis): Alun Morris, Victoria
Booth, Amalia Ruiz Larrea, Vivian Lee and
Natalie Lee
JUNIOR ENSEMBLES
Donne
Just Take a Chance: Callum Morris, Charlie
Underhill, Tom Wilson, Stacey Baker, Paige
Oswald
Spooner
Burnaby
Baker and Sam Skubala
The Pink Panther (Henri Mancini): Jonathan
Molesworth and Adam Lloyd
Snooker Table (Christopher Norton): Rebecca
McMurray, Victoria Whittingham, Georgina
Mercer and Alice Redmond
William Tell Overture (Rossini): Laura Doyle
Louis Fisher, Thomas Niblock, Ruth Reynolds
George Shuter, Lucy Williams
JUNIOR SOLOISTS
Donne
Liquorice: Tom Wilson, clarinet
Oswald
I Got Rhythm (George Gershwin): Thomas Rose,
cornet
Spooner
Your Song (Elton John): Conor Roche, vocal
Burnaby
Bathwater Blues (Miles): Thomas Niblock, alto
saxophone
INTERMEDIATE SOLOISTS
Donne
La Primavera (Vivaldi): Mandy Kwan, violin
Rondo (Ronald Binge): Annie Keogh, alto
Oswald
saxophone
Spooner
Misty Isle: Victoria Bateman, cello
Burnaby
Panis Angelicus (Franck): Alister Talbot, cornet
SENIOR SOLOISTS
Donne
Flute Concerto No 1 in G (Mozart): Jenny
Collinge, flute
Oswald
Chariots of Fire (Vangelis): Will Keogh, piano
Spooner
Allegro Appassionata (Saint-Saëns): Edward
Wadon, cello
Burnaby
Drum Improvisation: Alun Morris
and popular. Such is the demand for performance slots that,
challenge of singing tenor and then high soprano descants
and Laura Bell, the audience were entertained during the
A musical soirée
after a vocal quartet item from Claudia, Libby, Samantha
interval as well. By that stage, I realized that my carefully
calculated finishing time was looking increasingly like a
work of fiction but no one seemed to mind too much. Indeed,
how could they, with treats such as a scintillating and
technically very demanding Beethoven scherzo from Cindy
more of a challenge than usual.
The senior choir really came into their own in their Soirée
in the Lent term. On the lighter side it gave them a chance
to relax (relatively speaking) and enjoy more contemporary
Kwan and an emotive Chariots of Fire from Will Keogh
which demonstrated a hitherto unknown expertise on piano?
Edward Wadon gave an accomplished account of one of
Schumann’s Phantasiestücke on cello before the combined
string groups rounded off the evening in Christmas mood
with carols and crackers.
The traditional nine lessons and carols brought a busy
term to a close. A rather depleted senior choir (owing to early
leavers and seasonal illnesses) had to be bolstered by some
carefully selected imports, ie anybody who said yes to some
impassioned pretty-pleases on my part! Hard work and last
minute polishing meant that the choir gave a spirited account
of themselves in the various carols. Yours truly found the
Harry Hickson and Tanny Gliksman
The Oswestrian – 19
THE MUSICAL YEAR
Members of the cast in Guys and Dolls
material. I was pleased with all the choir items but
accepted my invitation to adjudicate the house music
of which demonstrated good secure part- singing as well as
the three categories and decisions must have been difficult
feature Pascaline Boura, a French teaching assistant, as one
scintillating display of technique and improvisational
particularly so with the Rumba and the Goodbye Jazz, both
a sense of ensemble and balance. It was lovely to be able to
of the soloists on the programme. She sang La Vie en Rose
in suitably husky Edith Piaf style. The contemporary theme
was continued by the string group who performed three
movements from a suite by Paul McCartney, and by the
concert band who did justice to Procul Harum’s Whiter
competition. There was a strong field of soloists in each of
to arrive at, none more so than in the senior section, with a
fluency from Alun Morris on drum kit, a beautifully crafted
Mozart flute concerto movement from the gifted Jenny
Collinge, Edward Wadon performing with élan on cello and
Will Keogh captivating the audience with his piano playing.
From the other sections, Alister Talbot demonstrated his
Shade of Pale and an up-tempo version of Music by John
rapidly-improving capabilities on cornet, Mandy Kwan
The staff did their best to convince everyone that they
and talent in performing This is Your Song. Despite the
Miles.
were talented musicians—as if proof were needed. Heartfelt
thanks go to Mrs Woollam, Mr Birchwood, Mrs Seward, Mr
Durham from Bellan, and to senior staff Mrs Lentink, Mrs
Hart, Mrs Richards, Mrs Payne, Mrs Eve and to Adrian Webb
for their generous support, input and encouragement
likewise on violin and Conor Roche showed both bravery
inevitable restrictions on preparation time, with only one
notable exception, the choir and ensemble items were of
good quality this year, reflecting the marshalling and friendly
persuasion capabilities of either the heads of houses or the
pupils entrusted with organizing their houses’ contributions.
throughout the Michaelmas and Lent terms. I am extremely
Well done to one and all! Many thanks, too, to Mr Watson
part to the aforementioned. To the pupils—a special thank
comments in adjudication.
proud of the choir’s achievements this year, due in no small
you from me, especially as this soirée followed on from the
house music—in which most of you were involved—only
days previously.
House music competition
I was delighted that Mr Watson and Mr Hawkins
20 – The Oswestrian
and Mr Hawkins for their pertinent and constructive
Two Blokes from the Bible
This was the unofficial title of this year’s workshop for
years 3 and 4 from Bellan and pupils of the Lower School.
The two pop-cantatas—Daniel Jazz and Swinging Samson
are established repertoire for young voices and they proved