Death of the Head Chorister?

[Guest]

I was interested to read in the latest edition of Cathedral Music that Stephen Darlington has dispensed with the position of Head Chorister in the Christ Church Oxford choir and that this is also the case at King's College Cambridge and in several other places ( Could this also be the case at Westminster Abbey where I noted in the Royal Wedding Music thread that none of the choristers were wearing a Head Chorister's medal as they always used to do - although the protocol of the occasion may have dictated it should not be worn ).

I wonder why this is happening as surely Head Choristers still have an important and useful part to play in the team?

VCC

[muticus]

Goodness, at our august establishment we even have two - Cantoris HC and Decani HC, at least on occasions, depending on the breadth and depth of the year 8 cohort. They are vital, musically, of course, but also practically. Not to mention things such as votes of thanks, and laying wreaths of poppies etc etc.

[amateur51]

Goodness, at our august establishment we even have two - Cantoris HC and Decani HC, at least on occasions, depending on the breadth and depth of the year 8 cohort. They are vital, musically, of course, but also practically. Not to mention things such as votes of thanks, and laying wreaths of poppies etc etc.

It's another world, innit

Thank goodness

[muticus]

Hummmmm - not altogether sure how sarcastic you are actually being there?
Our HC's have been a great asset to the foundation, they take on real responsibility, with a maturity well in advance of their years (as do all the choristers) - an example which could well be followed in other areas of life. How about a House of Commons/Cathedral Chorister exchange scheme?

[MrGongGong]

It is another world indeed

[DracoM]

A world in which order is valued as a way of securing excellence.

[Nick Armstrong]

A world in which order is valued as a way of securing excellence.

[Magnificat]

A world in which order is valued as a way of securing excellence.

I remember reading somewhere that the Scandinavian choirs don't like hierarchy. Perhaps the same liberal attitude to authority is beginning to show up in ours.

I have noticed quite a lot of loosening up in other ways in some places I have visited with choristers no longer processing into the cathedral in twos for pre - service practices,for example, but rather in a more informal way with some running rather than walking back to the vestry afterwards.

Perhaps kids don't take to regimentation so much these days and to taking orders from each other. Not surprising really when deference towards adults has declined so much. On the other hand the boys look to be enjoying it all more than they did in the past.

I hope performance standards aren't affected by such changes in attitudes to order but I fear they could be. Choirmasters should be a little bit wary of making too many concessions to the times if that is what is happening.

VCC

[MrGongGong]

I have noticed quite a lot of loosening up in other ways in some places I have visited with choristers no longer processing into the cathedral in twos for pre - service practices,for example, but rather in a more informal way with some running rather than walking back to the vestry afterwards.

VCC

god forbid that children should behave like children

what planet are some people on ?
last time I worked with the Philharmonia they all turned up to the rehearsal in jeans and t shirts , some even arrived on bicycles .......... mind you they made a wonderful noise all the same

you say that boys in choirs (and I used to be one !) seemed to be enjoying it more, maybe allowing people to have a bit of personality could have something to do with it ?
interesting that your perceived slippery slope of standards being affected by "concessions" seems to have no foundation ? have you heard the level of performance that many youngsters in their first year at music college are achieving ? and this includes the ones with purple hair , piercings and mobile phones

[Lizzie]

Our Head Choristers - Boys and Girls - at Winchester, do a superb job and I'm sure it fits them for taking responsibility and for caring for colleagues in later life. Many thanks to them all. Bws. Liz

[Mary Chambers]

I was relieved when I read this thread. The title was very alarming!

[DoctorT]

Perhaps it really belongs on the classic detective fiction thread, Mary!

[Magnificat]

god forbid that children should behave like children

what planet are some people on ?
last time I worked with the Philharmonia they all turned up to the rehearsal in jeans and t shirts , some even arrived on bicycles .......... mind you they made a wonderful noise all the same

you say that boys in choirs (and I used to be one !) seemed to be enjoying it more, maybe allowing people to have a bit of personality could have something to do with it ?
interesting that your perceived slippery slope of standards being affected by "concessions" seems to have no foundation ? have you heard the level of performance that many youngsters in their first year at music college are achieving ? and this includes the ones with purple hair , piercings and mobile phones

MrGG

I went to evensong in King's College Cambridge a while ago, wonderful building and all the order you would expect from the choir, fine singing and organ playing but I have to say that the student who read the first lesson - a young lady with purple hair and generally scruffy in appearance and wearing lime green and pink hooped leggings - did look a bit out of place but no doubt she was extremely clever!

For people of my generation certain standards should be observed in church. Children should enjoy the services, singing or whatever they are doing but should be taught to respect the fact that other people are trying to say their prayers while they are running around and making a noise for example.

As far as choristers are concerned as in any other walk of life sloppiness can breed sloppiness and choirmasters shouldn't take their eye off the ball in this respect.

As regards kids being allowed to show their personalities I quite agree but it's a paradox that in an age when children are consulted and their opinions listened to and respected on all sorts of matters (unlike my generation - children should be seen and not heard etc ) they have no real freedom at all but that's another debate.

VCC

[3rd Viennese School]

Death of the head chorister

Sounds like a good title for a composition!
No, hear me out. Everyones singing, and during this the head chorister screams then falls silent. The others then just carry on singing.

Well, thats all I have now. I'll just work out the 12 note rows..

3VS

[Keraulophone]

For a number of years now, the directors of our cathedral choir have made all the top year of boys joint Head Choristers. This more democratic approach has taken away some difficult decision-making by the DoM, the agonising of candidates for the top spot, and the worrying and even subtle lobbying of competitive parents. The system seems to work well, with no loss of discipline among the boys.

As for the back rows, now that's a different matter...!