The Clerkenwell Priory was set up just outside the City of London over 900 years ago as the English headquarters of the Order of St John. The Order itself was established to care for the sick pilgrims on their return from Jerusalem in the 11th century. Today the Order is famous for its modern-day role with St John Ambulance, the international first aid charity. The Museum of the Order of St John houses the Order's long and venerable history and also provided the beautiful and stylish venue for Simply Blue, Bishops' a cappella choir who themselves were returning from a highly successful (and less dangerous) pilgrimage of their own to the Edinburgh Festival.
On Friday 14th August, the UK ODs were delighted to be able to host the families and friends of the choir and in particular the staff, music and pastoral, who made up the touring party. We experienced firsthand why the choir is so highly regarded around the world, not just for its astonishing musical ability, but for the charming and intelligent way in which it engages the audience.
The concert was preceded by drinks and canapes in the Museum Galleries where our guests were able to wander through the exhibits and exhibitions which includes Caravaggio's 1594 "The Cardsharps" - insured for a paltry £10m. (The painting, on loan to the Museum, was the subject of a bitter court battle at the beginning of this year (see HERE)).
Click on photos to enlarge
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| The bottom picture is of (from left) Sue Ouvry, Ann Trew, Bobby Trew (F, 1952) and Jeremy Ouvry (F, 1953) |
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| Caravaggio's "The Cardsharps" |
After the pre-concert reception, just under 90 guests ascended the grand staircase to the magnificent Chapter Hall.
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| The Chapter Hall (middle) flanked by pictures of the stained-glass windows in the adjoining Council Chamber |
The hour-long concert, during which each item was wittily introduced by the boys themselves, comprised light popular secular music, much of it reflecting - to the delight of a somewhat homesick off-shore OD cohort - the flavour and character of South African and Cape musical traditions.
Before returning downstairs to the Museum Galleries for some bowl food and one-for-the-road, Jeremy Ouvry (F, 1953) on behalf of the UK ODs congratulated and thanked the choir and their coaches, Marion Bradley and Stephen Carletti for their wonderful singing, energy and for being such great ambassadors for Bishops. He also recalled his own experiences in Founders where the sole musical objective was to provoke the then Director of Music, the legendary Dr Claude Brown with boisterous and appalling renditions of the Hallelujah Chorus sung lustily and tunelessly from the changing room's bath tubs after rugby practice. Times, it seems, have changed.
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| Jeremy Ouvry (F, 1953) |
The UK ODU would like to thank Stephen Carletti, Marion Bradley, Rosemary Wilke and Simply Blue for a memorable and enchanting evening. And to all the parents for the support and encouragement they give to the choir and to the championing of Bishops.