Two extraordinarily enterprising sixth formers at St Paul's School: Alex Bridle and Tom Jackson have set up a most dynamic fundraising programme for Help for Heroes using the line from John Maxwell Edmonds' (1875-1958) World War One poem of the same name as their inspiration. For more details go to http://wentthedaywell.co.uk/
Tom has a younger brother, Harry, who is a Chorister at St Paul's - in fact he is the Drapers' Chorister. This family connection led to many hundreds attending a recital held in the cathedral that featured the choristers and Simon Johnson the cathedral organist. There was a beautiful programme of music ranging from 7th Century plainsong, through Handel and including twentieth century works by Benjamin Britten and John Rutter (born 1945).
But the highlight was undoubtedly the first performance of Ben Parry's setting of Edmonds' Went the Day Well. It is a most interesting piece very beautifully constructed and certainly requiring careful listening a number of times to appreciate fully. Ben had met Alex and Tom when he taught at St Paul's School. For more details of this interesting and clearly inspirational composer, conductor, teacher and performer go to http://www.benparry.org/
Most fundraisers would think that setting up a recital evening with the Duchess of Gloucester as principal guest as well as a large number of City well-wishers, including the Lord Lieutenant of London - Sir David Brewer, would be resting on their well-earned laurels. But they are driven by their cause and were shortly about to embark on a sponsored cycle ride from John o' Groats to Land's End. Totally impressive.
Incidentally in a brief meeting with the Duchess of Gloucester she recalled her recent visit to Drapers' Academy and was still clearly impressed with the changes the Principal, Matthew Slater, and his team were already achieving in the relatively short time the Academy has been open.
Do support Went the Day Well if you can.
Tom has a younger brother, Harry, who is a Chorister at St Paul's - in fact he is the Drapers' Chorister. This family connection led to many hundreds attending a recital held in the cathedral that featured the choristers and Simon Johnson the cathedral organist. There was a beautiful programme of music ranging from 7th Century plainsong, through Handel and including twentieth century works by Benjamin Britten and John Rutter (born 1945).
But the highlight was undoubtedly the first performance of Ben Parry's setting of Edmonds' Went the Day Well. It is a most interesting piece very beautifully constructed and certainly requiring careful listening a number of times to appreciate fully. Ben had met Alex and Tom when he taught at St Paul's School. For more details of this interesting and clearly inspirational composer, conductor, teacher and performer go to http://www.benparry.org/
Most fundraisers would think that setting up a recital evening with the Duchess of Gloucester as principal guest as well as a large number of City well-wishers, including the Lord Lieutenant of London - Sir David Brewer, would be resting on their well-earned laurels. But they are driven by their cause and were shortly about to embark on a sponsored cycle ride from John o' Groats to Land's End. Totally impressive.
Incidentally in a brief meeting with the Duchess of Gloucester she recalled her recent visit to Drapers' Academy and was still clearly impressed with the changes the Principal, Matthew Slater, and his team were already achieving in the relatively short time the Academy has been open.
Do support Went the Day Well if you can.
