The
Beulah Music FestivalThe
Beulah Music Festival
Nine
members of Côr Dôlafon,
accompanied by their conductor Heather Davis and Ysgol Dôlafon
teacher Mair Howells, travelled to The Oratory School in Oxfordshire
where they took part in the Prep Schools’ Choral Vespers event. The
outing was supported from the choir's own funds, the Beulah Music
Festival and the hospitality of the Oratory Prep School where the
children stayed on Thursday night. We thank Gill Lloyd, head of Ysgol
Dôlafon who, with her staff, managed the infernal details that
accompany such ventures.
Here is a review of the event:
Prep Schools’ Choral Vespers
Singers
from St Piran’s School, Ysgol Dôlafon,
and the Oratory Prep School joined those from St Philip’s House
(The Oratory School) to enjoy a day of singing, interspersed with
eating and drinking, culminating with Choral Vespers and Benediction
in the Oratory School Chapel.
The Headmaster, Clive Dytor, greeted us as we arrived and the children of Ysgol Dôlafon were delighted to be welcomed in Welsh! We shared drinks and biscuits then made our way to the Chapel to start work.
The day was organised by Julian McNamara, Director of Music at the Oratory School, and Nicholas Jones, the Assistant Director of Music, played the organ. Everyone agreed that they both did a brilliant job.
Although none of the schools had worked together before and the music was new to almost everyone it took very little time for us all to begin working together and, by the end of the day we were able to sing psalms, hymns (one in canon), plainchant and a lovely motet in two parts.
Everyone
had a lovely time, enjoying lunch and a tour around the school, and I
hope that The Oratory’s Prep Schools Choral Day becomes an annual
fixture in the calendar.