More than 200 talented musicians, comprised of students, parents, staff and friends of St Albans School and St Albans High School, gathered for the annual Joint Schools’ Choral Society Concert at St Albans Cathedral and Abbey Church.
The Joint Schools’ Choral Society and Orchestra, which has been running for 55 years, saw a choir of 150 and an orchestra of 55 sing and play with passion and poise throughout the concert. It was dedicated to the memory of Mick Stout, former longstanding director of music at St Albans School, who sadly passed away last year.
The event marks an annual opportunity for students, parents, staff and the wider community of both St Albans School and St Albans High School to come together and sing major choral repertoire, accompanied by a semi-professional orchestra in the magnificent surroundings of St Albans Cathedral.
The concert, which was largely comprised of repertoire that Mick himself enjoyed, featured Brahms’ Song of Destiny, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, and Parry’s I Was Glad, concluding with the finale from Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 in D Minor, Op.125. Emily Stout, widow of Mick Stout, sang as solo soprano in her husband’s memory.
Tom Young, conductor of the concert and director of music at St Albans School, said: “This year has been particularly poignant for our school community in celebrating and commemorating the life of Mick Stout; and that was evident in the number of staff, parents, students, alumnae and friends of Mick’s that came to pay their respects.
“It was a challenging programme, and I am delighted by the way the chorus, orchestra and in particular the students, rose to the occasion. We hope that the concert paid tribute to Mick’s humour, optimism and love of vocal music.”
Julian Smith, acting director of music at St Albans High School, said: “The concert was the culmination of months of preparation. The musicians sang and played with poise and energy, navigating their way through Brahms and Parry before a final rousing rendition of Beethoven’s epic Symphony No.9. The concert was a fitting memorial to Mick Stout.”
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