Oh no...Edward Higginbottom retiring

[light_calibre_baritone]

Meteoric rise?

What does that mean/imply? Just say "well done" like a good boy.

A deserved appointment.

[ardcarp]

Well yes. Congratulation to RQ and let's look forward to another outstanding era at NCO. But surely one can understand Draco's surprise? I it is quite unusual (in any walk of life) to be 'in post' for such a short time before pastures new (oh dear, unintended pun) beckkon.

It is a plum job though. Apart from the outstanding reputation of the choir, there's the academic stuff, nice short terms and no faffing around at Christmas! Lovely!

[DracoM]

Simple statement of fact. I am a considerable admirer of Mr Quinney's work, but as I said, this seems a sudden translation. I did not say undeserved or unwelcome, merely fast.

[ardcarp]

I wonder if we have amongst our members anyone from Peterborough who would care to comment?

[pborolc]

I wonder if we have amongst our members anyone from Peterborough who would care to comment?

I'm a Peterborough Lay Clerk. Robert is an incredibly talented director of music and I wish him all the best for his new role at New College. I am looking forward to enjoying the next few months under his excellent guidence and will be interested to see who fills his place (hopefully by September).

[ardcarp]

Thanks for that pbo. You are very diplomatic...but you (and others) must be very disappointed to be losing him so soon.

[Petrushka]

I was rather hoping that RQ would have eventually taken over from Stephen Cleobury at King's once the latter steps down. Having said that, the New College appointment would have been impossible to turn down.

Best wishes to Mr Quinney.

[DracoM]

Agree with ardcarp! I imagine Peterborough were a bit taken aback, but perversely I do hope they were delighted that their shrewd judgement of RQ ab initio had been proved so dead right judging by his later departure to fresh woods and pastures new at NCO!! If you can ever take comfort from such a loss!

Best wishes to all parties!

[Gabriel Jackson]

We aren't in a 1960s public school (at least most of us aren't) so why all these initials and acronyms?! His name is Robert Quinney.

[Magnificat]

Agree with ardcarp! I imagine Peterborough were a bit taken aback, but perversely I do hope they were delighted that their shrewd judgement of RQ ab initio had been proved so dead right judging by his later departure to fresh woods and pastures new at NCO!! If you can ever take comfort from such a loss!

Best wishes to all parties!

Draco,

Presumably most church musicians keep an eye on possible upcoming vacancies that may appeal to them.

A year or so ago it must have been highly likely that New College would become available in the near future with Edward Higginbottom approaching 70 so why apply for a cathedral post when you have no intention of staying any longer than a year or two except that being in post as a DoM rather than an assistant could be an advantage.

Fair enough, but I think the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough, whatever they may say publicly, can't be at all happy to be facing another long haul of adverts, short lists, interviews and auditions and the expense involved to find another DoM so soon after making the present appointment.

Also, frankly, a DoM in this position has really had no chance, certainly on a first appointment, to show what he can do with the choir ( especially the boys) or to achieve anything very much at all and the disruption cannot be good for the singers generally.

VCC

[Miles Coverdale]

No one seems to have noticed the fact that in the statement on Peterborough Cathedral's web site, Robert Quinney says that he was ‘invited to apply’ for the New College job, which strikes me as being code for head-hunted.

[jean]

Yes. That he was head-hunted was so obvious it hardly needed saying.

[Miles Coverdale]

Yes. That he was head-hunted was so obvious it hardly needed saying.

Very sorry for insulting your intelligence. That's me told.

[Alison]

I feel a trip to Peterborough coming on in the summer.

Doesn't everyone involved secretly enjoy the business of interviews, auditions and appointments? It's all good stuff surely.

[jean]

Very sorry for insulting your intelligence. That's me told.

Sorry, my reply came out all wrong - I meant that everyone else should have noticed, and you shouldn't have needed to point it out.