To be a Pilgrim is... to be musical, Episode 4
Pilgrims’ is not a music school, as you know, but it is undeniable that Pilgrims sing and play music exceptionally well. Actually, that’s an understatement. I have enjoyed music at many schools, including many schools that are also genuinely musical, but Pilgrims’ is leagues ahead. The strings are sublime, and the trebles and other voices are incredible (and this is in no way limited to just the ‘professional’ singers - the Choristers and Quiristers). The brass, woodwind and percussion are phenomenal.
Musical education starts on day one in Reception, and throughout the Pre-Prep all boys are taught music either by Mr du Plessis, our Director of Music, or Mr Burton, our Assistant Director of Music. Both incredibly talented and highly trained musicians in their own right. The boys as young as four years old are taught musical notation from the beginning - rhythm, pitch and dynamics – nothing is dumbed down.
While it is true that you do not need to be musical to be a Pilgrim, so very, very, very many Pilgrims are musical! But more so, all Pilgrims sing, and all of them appreciate music. Music emerges from every open window and doorway and all of it is joyful.
This week I have been treated to the most exquisite music performed by boys of all ages from Reception to Year 8. There was the Year 2 boy who won a Shell Award from me for putting his hand up first (quick as a flash) to sing the most amazing solo in a new hymn that they had just learnt in Pre-Prep hymn practice on Thursday morning, to the phenomenal and majestic singing of the two choirs of Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College at the Founder’s Obit (for William of Wykeham) the same evening. The Sinfonia played an absolutely sublime performance of Handel’s Fireworks Music (on hearing it I had no idea they were sight-reading) and before that the Senior Choir were learning Memory from Cats by Andrew Lloyd-Webber (taking me back to a school solo singing competition) before we ALL had a laugh and a dance to the boys’ favourite party piece, Puttin’ on the Ritz, by Irving Berlin. I also spent time with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble as they got to grips with the Pilgrims’ Calypso composed a few weeks ago by Mr Burton and then the Muppets theme song (you know the one, do doo do doo do …, composed by Sam Pottle). What fun!
And this is only a small fraction of the music that goes on in our school every week. Amongst all the lessons, sit downs, preps, games, PE, drama, art, D&T, Commoners, mealtimes, breaktimes and boarding, it was a wonderfully musical week! Thank you to all the boys, to Mr du Plessis and Mr Burton and our wonderful music department, visiting music teachers, the Choirmasters of the College and the Cathedral and the choral foundations.