London Oratory School Schola

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Main article: London Oratory School
London Oratory School Schola in performance
London Oratory School Schola in performance

The London Oratory School Schola was established in 1996 and is a choir for catholic boys.[1][2] The current director of the Schola is Lee Ward. The choir's patrons are HRH Princess Michael of Kent, the actor Simon Callow and the composer James MacMillan (musician).[2]

Contents

[edit] Directors of the Schola

Musical director Lee Ward
Musical director Lee Ward

The choir's founding director was Michael McCarthy. After seven years with the Schola, McCarthy moved to the USA to become the Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral].[3] He was succeeded by Steven Grahl, who is now Organist and Director of Music at St Marylebone Parish Church and Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford.[4] The current director is Lee Ward, who combines work as Director of the Schola with his duties as Director of Music at the London Oratory School. He is also Director of Music at the parish church of St John-at-Hampstead and a renowned organist who performs both in the UK and abroad.[5]

[edit] Performances

The London Oratory church
The London Oratory church
The London Oratory School Schola performing in Rome
The London Oratory School Schola performing in Rome

In addition to their liturgical commitment, the choir can be heard each Saturday evening at the Brompton Oratory Church in Knightsbridge.[6]

On 7 July 2007 the Schola performed a concert in Rome, backed by the Vatican, with the Orchestra Philarmonia Di Roma. The concert, written by Michael D’Alessandra, aimed to recall the glory of Rome.[7][8][9][10]

The choir's concert for World Aids Day took place at the Cadogan Hall in London on the 1 December 2007. The choir performed Gareth Valentine's Requiem), Colin Mawby's A Song of Hope (world premiere) and Duruflé's Requiem. All proceeds from the concert went to the SURF Fund (a campaign which works in Rwanda campaigning for free anti-retroviral treatment for survivors of the genocide, and provides medical support to reduce the effect of opportunistic infections) and SOS Children's Villages (a charity working in Swaziland to provide resources for those living with Aids and to help prevent family abandonment).[11][12]

[edit] Recordings

[edit] Film soundtracks

The choir has also featured on many film soundtracks including The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, The Phantom of the Opera, The Golden Compass, The Brothers Grimm and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.[13] The choir worked with Academy Award winning composer Alexandre Desplat to record for the film score of The Golden Compass.[13][14]

[edit] Audio recordings

The choir recorded an album of Christmas Carols, 'Songs of a Shepherd' in 2001, released on the Herald record label.[15]

The London Oratory School Schola worked with the choir of an orphanage in Harare, Zimbabwe, to record a version of the popular Christmas carol Silent Night. The orphanage cares for children who were abandoned or whose parents died, largely due to AIDS. This recording supported, and was launched on, the World AIDS Day.[16] Over 50% of the purchase price goes directly to the orphanage in order to assist it with its work.[17]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The Schola", The London Oratory School, accessed 2 May 2008
  2. ^ a b "London Oratory School Schola", Boy soloist, accessed 2 May 2008
  3. ^ "Michael McCarthy", Washington National Cathedral, accessed 2 May 2008
  4. ^ "Director of Music: Steven Grahl MA (Oxon), PGDip (RAM), FRCO", St Marylebone Parish Church, accessed 4 May 2008
  5. ^ "People - Lay People", The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead, accessed 4 May 2008
  6. ^ "The Choir", London Oratory School, accessed 2 May 2008
  7. ^ "Seventh Heaven Music", Rome Reports, 10 July 2007
  8. ^ "The London Oratory School Schola", Vatican Radio, 24 May 2007
  9. ^ "Seventh Heaven Music", Rome Reports
  10. ^ Vatican concert poster
  11. ^ "Concert for World Aids Day - The London Oratory School Schola", Cadogan Hall
  12. ^ World Aids Day concert poster
  13. ^ a b "London Oratory School Schola - Filmography", The New York Times, accessed 2 May 2008
  14. ^ "Movie Review - The Golden Compass (2007)", Manohla Dargis, The New York Times, December 7, 2007
  15. ^ "Songs of a Shepherd ", Amazon.co.uk, accessed 2 May 2008
  16. ^ "Silent Night in Zimbabwe", Association of Zimbabwe Journalists, 24 December 2007
  17. ^ "The Christmas Single of 2007 - Silent Night (Makandifira), accessed 2 May 2008

[edit] External links