Trinity Boys Choir enjoyed a busy summer with a tour to China and opera performances at both Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House. There was also an appearance at the BBC Proms as part of Glyndebourne’s production of Bizet’s ‘Carmen’. It would not be surprising, therefore, if the Choir made a slow start to the new academic year – but that is not the choir’s style!
Twenty students from the First Year to the Upper Sixth spent an inspiring weekend in Kiel in northern Germany at the end of the term’s first full week. The purpose of the visit was to cement our relationship with the excellent Kielerknabenchor as next spring we are undertaking an ambitious project of performing J.S.Bach’s monumental St Matthew Passion together in both the UK and Germany. The highlight of the weekend was a combined concert on Saturday in the beautiful St Nikolaikirche and this was followed by an enjoyable party in the Kiel choir’s school. Our students were accommodated in homestays with the Kiel boys and friendships were forged.
Second Year Jamie said, “‘The Kiel Choir trip was a really amazing experience – we stayed with German families and really got to understand some of German culture at home. I have now done a couple of trips with the choir, and all have been great fun.
“Being able to sing in an extremely old church felt great, especially as we sang with the Kiel Choir as well. Our host family were really kind and thoughtful during our stay, and we had lots of fun getting to know the boy from the Kiel Choir who we were staying with. I have never stayed with a host family before – let alone in a completely different country – and so it was a very different experience, however I am glad that I did it.”
This mini-tour also marked the start of Mr Mulroy’s directorship of the choir after Mr Swinson’s retirement in the summer. Mr Swinson continues to be a member of the Music department at Trinity School, Croydon, in a part-time capacity and joined the choir to accompany them on the organ. He says, “It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. The boys were incredibly well looked after by the Kiel families and both choirs gelled musically very quickly and were clearly inspired by singing together. For me, it was a real pleasure to continue my association with the choir and to witness my successor in action. Our students are very fortunate to have such a brilliantly talented musician directing them”.
With thanks to Mr Swinson for this report.
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