The Gentlemen of St John’s: Sister Ensembles

Newsletter: Easter Term 2014WelcomeGreetings from the Choir Association. We are delighted to welcome you to the Easter Term edition of our new termly Newsletter, which will update you with the latest Members’ and Choir news. If you are reading this issue online, you can click on the images and text written in bold, which contain links to further information.

The Gentlemen of St John’s (known as the Gents) are an independent close harmony group made up of the Choral Scholars and Organ Scholars of St John’s College, Cambridge. The ensemble has enjoyed a remarkably busy schedule of concerts and recordings for over forty years. Since the founding of the Gents in 1973, there have been a number of sister ensembles have been established for former Choral Scholars that are no longer studying at St John’s, such as Counterpoint and the Gentlemen of London (formed in 2010).

Counterpoint was a close harmony group created in 1973, and consisted of altos Andrew Downes and Philip Griffiths, tenors John Tudhope and Granville Walker, and basses Anthony Edwards and Christopher Dean. The ensemble performed at many prestigious venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall, and also made a recording for the Südwest Rundfunk in Stuttgart. At a later stage Chris Royall joined the group in place of Andrew Downes, who left the ensemble to become Head of Composition and Creative Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. Philip Griffiths became an architect, and recently retired to live in Umbria. Chris Royall was a Lay Clerk at St Paul’s Cathedral, and still sings for The Sixteen. John Granville Walker is Chorus Master at the Dortmund Opera. John Tudhope worked as a session singer for a decade after the leaving the group and is now the Head of Science at TASIS, an American international school in Surrey. Anthony Edwards became a lawyer, working in Dubai, Christopher Dean was a History teacher and House Master at St Paul’s School, and recently retired. Like the Gents, Counterpoint performed repertoire, from early sacred music to folksongs and close-harmony arrangements, giving over 100 performances in schools, music societies and National Trust properties until December 1985.

St John’s College Choir Choir Association

A Remarkable Year for St John’s College School

St John’s College School was founded by the College for the education of the Choristers of the College Choir. The twenty Choristers and Probationers continue to be educated in the school which numbers 460 boys and girls aged 4-13.

The School has recently undergone a major redevelopment of its site including new classrooms throughout, an outstanding library, a multi-sports court, two new science laboratories, a new drama studio and new music facilities.

2013 was an exceptional year for St John’s College School. It received the highest possible grades from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, resulting in the best inspection report ever gained by an independent prep school. The Headmaster of the school, Mr Kevin Jones, was awarded the prestigious title of ‘Best Head of a Prep School’ at the Tatler Schools Awards 2013.

Forthcoming Events

The Choir will be singing Verdi’s Requiem at the majestic Royal Albert Hall on Friday 24 October, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, alongisde the choirs of Clare, Jesus and Gonville & Caius. For more information and to book tickets please click here.

On Friday 5 December 2014, the Choir will be returning to the Royal Festival Hall to perform a programme of popular music including Vivaldi’s Gloria with the English Chamber Orchestra.

Since its launch in 1994, the Verbier Festival has attracted some of the biggest names in classical music including Lang Lang, Joshua Bell and Martha Argerich. On Friday 25 July, the Choir will be performing a selection of choral music including works by Harvey, Pärt and Tallis in the Eglise de Verbier at 8pm. The Choir will also be performing in the Church of St Blasiusin St Blasien on Saturday 26 July and in the Basilica Sacro Cuore in Lugano on Sunday 27 July.

The Barrère FamilyThe Choir Association was saddened to hear that David Barrère passed away in October 2013, aged 69. David was a generous Benefactor to the Choir who studied Modern Languages at St John’s (BA 1966, MA 1970). He was also an extreme sports enthusiast, skiing for Cambridge and teaching water skiing in the summer. Later in life, David became a Merchant Banker with Hambros Bank, a Bullion Dealer with Mocatta & Goldsmid, and then a Commodity Trader at Continental Grain. Historically the Barrère family have been keen supporters of the Choir. David’s father Jean Barrère, was a ProfessorDavid Barrère

Performing at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam

(Germany and Amsterdam Tour 2013)

Former Organ Scholar, Freddie James rehearsing in Nijmegen

(Netherlands Tour 2012)

Symfonisk Sal, Aarhus (Denmark Tour 2013)

On stage in Delft (Netherlands Tour 2012)

Photos of recent tours supported by the Barrère Fund are shown below.

The Choir Association of St John’s College brings together Alumni and Friends with a shared appreciation of our rich choral tradition. Their invaluable financial contributions provide bursaries for current members of the Choir who hope to pursue careers music. Those who pay an annual subscription to the Association receive priority seating for special services in Chapel, invitations to various social events and the opportunity to keep in contact with former members of the Choir.

About the Choir Association

Membership Cards The Association Committee recently decided to introduce Membership cards to acknowledge Members contributions to the Association and make the College more accessible for all our members. The cards will be renewed at the beginning of the Association’s financial year each July. All paying Members and Friends should have received their Membership cards in the post. If you think that you should have received a card and have not done so, please email choir@joh.cam.ac.uk.

of French Literature at the University and a Fellow of St John’s College from 1957 until his death in 1985. A friend of George Guest (Director of Music 1951-1991), Jean Barrère was particularly interested in raising the profile of the Choir in Europe. Following a legacy from his estate the College established the Barrère Fund. The income from this fund is used to assist with underwriting the cost of Choir tours.

Chapel Services Wednesday 30 April – 3.30 p.m. CHORAL EVENSONG

Leighton Second Service Bernstein Chichester Psalms

This service will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Three at 3.30 p.m.

Saturday 17 May – 6.30 p.m. CANTATA EVENSONG with St John’s Sinfonia

J.S. Bach: ‘Meine Seele erhebt den Herren’ BWV 10 ‘Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen’ BWV 12 This service will end at 7.50 p.m.

Tuesday 29 May – 12noon THE ASCENSION DAY CAROL FROM THE CHAPEL TOWER

Tuesday 10 June – 6.30 p.m. JOINT EVENSONG WITH ST JOHN’S VOICES Murrill in E Rachmaninoff: Bŏgŏroditsye Dyevo For the full service list please click here

House of Lords Drinks Party The Choir Association London Drinks Reception was held at the House of Lords on Monday 3 March, by kind permission of the Lord Speaker. The Reception was hosted by Lord and Lady Deben, parents of former Choristers Ben and Felix. The Reception was a lively occasion with over fifty Choir Alumni in attendance, along with the Master, the Dean, Choir Benefactors and members of the Committee.

Members News

Choir Association Events Saturday 31 May 2014 – Choir Association Garden Party and Evensong Invitations for the Garden Party have been sent out. Please reply by 12 May. Please note the change of date from that previously advertised.

Lost Choir Members Over the years the Choir Association has accumulated a database of contact details for Former Choir Members. However, there are a number of Choir Alumni for whom we no longer have correct information. If you are in contact with any of the following members from the nineties, please could you send their details to choir@joh.cam.ac.uk.

In Memoriam Brian Harvey (Choral Scholar 1954 - 1957) and Barbara Hepworth (Friend).

Choristers: Choral Scholars: William Brooks (1992 - 1993) Robert Nicholls (1995 - 1996)Richard Hughes (1993 - 1997) Chris Dixon (1997 - 1998)William Brooks (1992 - 1993) Tom Woodd (1998 - 1999)

Andrew Nethsingha with Lord and Lady Deben

Current and Former Choral Scholars Former Choral Scholars