Worcester College Boys’ Choir, Oxford
Bristol, 26th-27th June 2015
The boys of Worcester College Choir enjoyed a short visit to Bristol to sing a tea-time concert in one of the city’s largest central churches: Christ Church, Broad Street. Unlike their regular services, this concert comprised of upper-voices repertoire, without the Alto, Tenor and Bass Choral Scholars of Worcester College, thus presenting the boys with the challenges of independent singing. The two days of the trip also allowed for plenty of other activities besides singing.
Friday 26th June
The boys set off to Bristol following a normal school day, accompanied by a select group of parents, some of whom met us in Bristol and also attended the concert. Arriving in Bristol in the early evening, everybody enjoyed a meal in Bella Italia. We were met and welcomed there by Jonathan Price, Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church, whose excellent knowledge and hospitality was greatly appreciated throughout the weekend.
Saturday 27th June
The morning was set aside for non-singing related activities. After a short walk around the city centre of Bristol (taking in the Cathedral and the area around Millennium Square), the boys spent the morning exploring the At-Bristol science museum. Following lunch in the museum, in the afternoon we rehearsed in Christ Church itself before the tea-time concert. The programme consisted of music by various English composers, interspersed with solo pieces on the historic 18th Century organ. The fine acoustic of the building complimented the polished performance given by the boys. Well-attended and with refreshments provided afterwards, the concert was a fitting testament to the ability of the boys, and a reflection of their hard work over the past year.
Many thanks are due to Richard Murray of Christ Church Cathedral School, and the team of parents who helped everything run smoothly, along with the local knowledge and organisation of Jonathan Price. The trip was an excellent way to round off the year for the boys.
— Dan Mathieson, Junior Organ Scholar.