OW Chapel Choir Evensong Reunion

As the sun streamed into Chapel on a lovely May afternoon, the inaugural Evensong of OW Chapel Choir Soc took place, which as our Sen recruit said, would stay long in the memory. They came from Austria to Scotland and everywhere in between; from university students to those many many decades on from that experience, both enthusiastic amateurs and classy pros, to relive the happy memories of making great music and great friendships in Chapel Choir. 

Some had arranged to meet up with old friends, some came knowing no-one from their era but everyone ended up making new friends and musical links, promising to stay in touch and to meet again at the next one (Saturday 4th of November in St Bartholomew the Great in London).

Christopher Tolley had put together exactly the sort of repertoire that we used to love to sing - Stanford, Walmisley, Rose and Brahms and had us eating out of his hand within seconds as we sought to carry out all his attention to detail, and with the help of wives, friends and a couple of girl choristers from the Cathedral (sisters of Quiristers) on the top line a goodly sound was raised and great fun was had. I am prepared to bet that no Evensong anywhere in the country had a more sonorous cantor that day, and quite a number of us also had a very good curry afterwards.

We are so grateful to Christopher, to Richard McVeigh for some excellent organ playing, to Hester the chaplain for welcoming us so warmly and to Win Coll Soc for all their help and (crucially!) providing the tea and cake. 

If you would like to come in future, join OWCCS on the Win Coll Soc website (free!) to get included in future emails: we would be delighted to see you.

Coralie Ovenden

OWCCS Committee member and former Classics Don