Abbey Gate College Singers Attend Eton Choral Course, Cambridge

12 Sep 2018

Abbey Gate College pupils have been attending the Eton Choral Course for over 20 years, but this summer was the first time that a total of four Senior School pupils, Thomas Fesmer, Matthew Fesmer, Oliver Smith and Harry Tomlins attended the eight-day course.

Both Thomas and Matthew Fesmer sang solos, with Thomas singing on the BBC recording at the end of the week and Harry Tomlins read a lesson in King’s College Chapel.

The 74 strong choir, aged 16 to 18 had members from not only the UK but as far away as Sydney, Australia. The course was directed by the founder of the Eton Choral Course, Ralph Allwood. Each member of the course received two singing lessons, underwent rigorous rehearsals and performed in a variety of small ensembles and with an orchestra.

A large number of parents and tourists attended the four choir performances towards the end of the course. Ralph Allwood conducted a Choral Concert at St John’s College, which was followed the next day by a Choral Evensong at King’s College Chapel, directed by Stephen Cleobury. The choir then returned to St John’s College for an Evensong, directed by Andrew Nethsingha.

The final performance, also at St John’s College was a BBC recording of Evensong to be broadcast on Wednesday 31 October on Radio 3 at 3.30pm.

Abbey Gate College’s former Director of Music, Stewart Smith said: “I was very proud of our pupils and the whole choir for the superb singing in such beautiful settings. They are all very privileged to have had this unique opportunity which they will remember for many years to come.”