Cathedral choristers sing at Carniege Hall
One of the most remarkable things about being in America is to witness the result of the belief that is so evident here that things can be done. This is not the land of HS2! We spent a great deal of yesterday inside the Chapel of the University of Princeton. It is a remarkable building. Its height is almost exactly the same as that of Westminster Abbey, England’s highest mediaeval building. It is immensely long. It seems to stretch on into the far distance and the arches that span its width seem almost industrial in size. And that is all before one even starts to think about the stained glass windows which are a marvel. The sensation I felt, sitting in that wonderful building, was the same that I got all those many years ago as a boy sitting in Chartres Cathedral in northern France. seeing for the first time the exquisite windows there. The overwhelming colour is blue and so it was in Princeton too. Clearly the glass in Princeton is not mediaeval, but unlike a great deal of 19th and early 20th century glass in England, the makers had gone to the greatest trouble to make the glass look mediaeval; the figures are very slightly distorted as they so often in old glass and the colours were just right. The building was beautifully carved again, unlike many 19th and 20th century buildings where beauty of detail gives way to speed of construction.
Princeton itself is charming. The university radiates from the chapel, on and on in a glory of Hogwartian extravagance, all set within the context of an elegant North American town. No wonder the great scientist Einstein settled here for so long after his stay at Christ Church between 1931 and 1933. The concert yesterday evening was a triumph. The choir sung music written by composers associated with Christ Church, in particular a wonderful piece written for us by our present composer in residence, Nico Muhly, an American based in New York who attended the concert. It was the second public performance ever, the first in the US. It was rapturously received. It was a piece of extraordinary complexity and difficulty. It was another reminder of what our boys are able to do. Wherever we have been, people have marvelled at the quality of their work and have been impressed by their behaviour. Yesterday we drew admiring glances and comments as we walked in formation through the quads and lawns of Princeton. One should never underestimate what young people are capable of doing when they are believed in. I really do have great admiration for the boys with whom I have the pleasure of being on tour, as of course I do for the remarkable adults without whom they would not be able to achieve what they have.
This morning we are leaving small town Princeton to travel to New York where we will be singing in America’s foremost concert venue, the Carnegie Hall. The boys are hugely excited about the prospect of being in one of the world’s most exciting cities.
I am delighted that Stephen Jones has been appointed as the Interim Head from next term. As you will have heard from The Sub Dean, Stephen has been a governor of the school since 2011 and, as such, could not know the school better. Throughout his time in this role he has been extremely hard working, wise and committed, and one could not have anybody with a better understanding of the place. He also has great experience of running schools having been the Headmaster of Dover College and, of course, St Edward’s where he was my boss! He has also taught at a number of Prep Schools. Furthermore, there are very few people that he does not know in the senior school world and so will be a brilliant advocate of your sons who are seeking to gain places in these schools. Stephen is also an immensely warm and positive person whom you will very much enjoy getting to know.
The only downside to being on tour is that I am missing being in School. Very kindly Mrs Fairhurst sends me a daily update and it has been lovely to hear of all the wonderful things going on back at base. I wanted to thank all my colleagues in Oxford who are ensuring that everything is running so smoothly in my absence.
I would like to remind you all that Mr Harrison will be away on shared parental leave for the next nine weeks, returning on Monday, 11th December, with the exception of Wednesdays when he will be in school, mainly to help with Games. In his absence, Mr Robson has kindly agreed to handle Pastoral and Disciplinary matters and Mr Withers has kindly agreed to be the Form 8 Tutor.
I very much look forward to seeing you all next week. Have a good weekend.
