Annual Report for 2004

This year the girls attended on 74 occaions with 33 services and over 40 separate practices as well as weddings. We finished the year with 31 girls again, having started two new probationers in January 2004 and four more during the year.

One of the year’s highlights was the performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion with soloists and organ (John Winter) which was an uplifting experience for the girls which they enjoyed, as did the congregation who made many appreciative comments.

Several of the girls were very keen to go away for a singing week in the summer and we were lucky to be offered four days at Truro Cathedral. Fourteen girls sang altogether, twelve of whom camped together in a fairly grubby (and spider inhabited) church hall. We could definitely have been luckier with the weather, as torrential rain was the norm while we were there. I am enormously grateful to the parents who came with us, for their help and support, and must especially mention Kaye Rogers who took over the catering and made sure we were all very well fed, as well as taking charge of some very necessary remedial cleaning! The singing was very good, I was pleased and we were complimented by many. We were very grateful to have Laurence Notley play for us for three of the days and Richard Morrison for the last, when we sang the canticles he had written for us.

In September we said 'Goodbye' to Leah Stevens who had been in the choir for more than ten years, and Head Chorister for three years. Leah had been an excellent soloist as far back as 2000 (Allegri Miserere) and was an excellent leader in every way. She is studying Music at The University of Exeter. At the moment the choir is quite ‘bottom heavy’, in that we have a high proportion of girls at the younger end of our 7-18 age range. This means that lots of valuable work is being put in now as a foundation for the future. I am immensely grateful to the older girls who continue to give a good lead and help these younger ones to learn.

We were very sorry to lose John Winter, who had often played for the girls, particularly at ‘special’ services, but were delighted that he was still willing to play for the Advent Carol Service for us.

Thanks always due to those who are so helpful from week to week - Ray Barlow, Joe Kendrick, several parents who attend practices each week, the Head Choristers and other leaders within the choir and those who regularly look after my children during services!

Marie Price