In the hubbub of the Sion Mission team being in school, Epilogue on Thursday 9 July was a very welcome oasis of calm.  It was the final Epilogue for Tom, Sam, Conor, Iain and Joe for whom we owe a great debt of gratitude for their dedication and for being a positive influence on our younger choristers.

We started with Like as the hart by Howells, Sam read the reading from Romans 8: 28-39 after which Psalm 2 (which can be tricky) was presented with aplomb.  The prayers were read beautifully by the younger members after which we performed one of our more magnificent pieces, O Thou the central orb by Woods.

The congregation stood and joined in singing All my hope in God is founded, by Howells after which Mr Scully paid tribute to our leavers in what was his final Epilogue as head teacher.

Hear my Prayer and O For The Wings Of A Dove – Mendelssohn

Lead Me Lord – Wesley

Psalm 15

Our final concert of this academic year took place on Thursday 2 July The JFS Choir opened proceedings Viva la Musica by Ivan Erad.

It was very fitting that in the light of Ben E King’s recent demise that, as the Year Nine band have been rehearsing Stand By Me, they accompanied as the choir performed the song, it was nice to have some new performers in our midst.

The Year Seven recorder group treated us to two pieces, Here’s a health unto His Majesty and Cockles and Mussels.  they were followed by the percussion group, led by Mr Kimber with a piece called Feel It, and by jove didn’t we!

The parents’ and friends’ choir sang A Dream within a dream by Lange and Can you tell me what I think? by Georg Berg.

The next performance was a real treat, the boys in 8xD drama performed a tableau entitled It’s a thin line between drink and life, this very clever scene also had a good moral message.

the first half closed with the Wind Band performing My Heart will go on and a Medley from Les Miserables.

After wine, strawberries and cream and chat we settled back to hear one of our bands, Fifth Season, with our honorary Fisher Pupil, Bel,  perform, very aptly, The Beatles Here comes the sun, and their own composition Always Running.

The Staff choir were also fun with a ‘mash up’ of This Old man and There was an old man called Michael Finigan.

Iain Gillespie is leaving us this year, but not without performing Elvis Presley’s I Can’t help Falling in Love  and his own composition MRI, for which he accompanied himself on the ukulele.

The string orchestra oozed us into relaxation with Allegro by Jean Marie le Clair and Vivaldi’s Concerto in A minor,  another ‘house band’ Upper Hand wowed us with two of their own compositions, Outskirts of Time and Brooklyn Streets and we rounded of this musical feast with the JFS Choir having fun singing Tequila Samba by Guy Turner.

When all the music was done Mr Ford paid tribute to Mr & Dr Matthews as their youngest son, Joe, leaves this year.  The Matthews family have been choir stalwarts over the last 19 years, providing refreshments after every epilogue and concert.

We also paid tribute to Mr Scully who was attending his last concert as our head teacher.  Mr Scully has given the choir great support, we will miss his kind, end of concert words and his magnificent photographs of each performance.

He will however, remain our friend.

.                                              The man himself in action

Introit                    Lead me, Lord                                                     S. S. Wesley

Lead me, Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness,  make Thy way plain before my face.  For it is Thou, Lord, Thou, Lord only,  that makest me dwell in safety.

Soloists :        Jimmy O’Keeffe (Year 12)    Luke Fitzpatrick (Year 8)

Reading             1 John: 4, 15-19

Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. ¹⁶ We have recognised for ourselves, and put our faith in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. ¹⁷ Love comes to its perfection in us when we can face the Day of Judgement fearlessly, because even in this world we have become as he is. ¹⁸ In love there is no room for fear, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear implies punishment and no one who is afraid has come to perfection in love. ¹⁹ Let us love, then, because he first loved us.

The word of the Lord; thanks be to God.

 Psalm 15           Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle?       C. Gibbons

1. Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle or who shall rest upon Thy holy hill?
2. Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life :
3. and doeth the thing which is right and speaketh the truth from his heart.
4. He that hath used no deceit in his tongue nor done evil to his neighbour :
5. and hath not slandered his neighbour.
6. He that setteth not by himself but is lowly in his own eyes :
7. and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.
8. He that sweareth unto his neighbour and disappointeth him not :
9. though it were to his own hindrance.
10. He that hath not given his money upon usury :
11. nor taken reward against the innocent.
12. Whoso doeth these things  shall never fail
13. Glory be to the father and to the Son and to the holy Spirit
14. as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be
15. World without end
16. AMEN

Prayer 1:

Heavenly Father, help us to lead an uncorrupt life, and to do that which is right, speaking truth from our hearts.  Give us grace to be honest, kind and humble, to be true to our word and to use all you give us wisely.  Grant that, by Your power, we may be able ever to walk in your ways and that we may never fall; for Jesus Christ’s sake.  AMEN

Prayer 2:

Lord God, look in mercy on this troubled world; be with the homeless, with all refugees, with all caught in war or natural disasters or plagued by terrible diseases.  Turn the hearts of all to look to you, and give wisdom and generosity to all who are able to relieve the suffering of others.  We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.    AMEN

 

Prayer 3:

Loving Father, we thank You for the endless love with which You ever love us.  Perfect our faith in Your love that we may be able to love You with our whole heart in return.  Enable us to love one another also as You have loved us, and give us such bold confidence that we may face the Day of Judgement fearlessly, through our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord.    AMEN

Anthem             Hear my prayer                                          F. Mendelssohn

Psalm 55 : 2-8, paraphrased by W. Bartholomew

Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear!

Thyself from my petition do not hide!

Take heed to me! Hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee!

Without Thee all is dark, I have no guide.

The enemy shouteth, The godless come fast!

Iniquity, hatred, up on me they cast. The wicked oppress me, Ah, where shall I fly?  Perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry!  My heart is sorely pained, within my breast,

My soul with deathly terror is oppressed,

Trembling and fearfulness up on me fall,

With horror overwhelmed, Lord, hear me call!

O for the wings, for the wings of a dove!  Far away, far away would I rove!  In the wilderness build me a nest,

And remain there forever at rest.
Solo part sung by :           

Javian Corera (Year 8)

Conor Cecil (Year 7)

Jheromel Daguio (Year 7)

Aaron O’Beirne (Year 7)

Jeremey Selmour (Year 7)

Thomas Wood (Year 7)

Hymn       Love divine

Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of Heav’n to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.

Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive; Suddenly return and never, Never more Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in Heav’n we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

On Sunday 31 May we were invited to partake in the Ordination Mass for former sixth form student James Cadman at St. Mary’s Church, West Croydon.

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Over the course of the afternoon, in a Mass that lasted two and a half hours, the choir lead and participated in several traditional Latin chants and plainsong as well as a Mass setting, hymns and motets.  Mr Ford played the organ.  The Mass was said by The Most Reverend Precioso D. Cantillas, Bishop of Maasin, in the Philippines, who flew over especially to preside.  There were over 80 priests present many of whom had also flown in from all over the world to support Fr James at this special time.  The 600 strong congregation didn’t vaguely fit in the church and the service was live on the Internet for the many people throughout the world who couldn’t be present.

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The boys were spectacular in both their reverence and performance, Miss Harrington-Booth and Mr Ford were very proud of them.  We are honoured to be asked to sing at such a significant event for a former Fisher student

  

Here is the newly ordained Fr James with the choir and Miss Harrington-Booth.

Here’s the music from Epilogue on 21 May (not the congregational hymn though)

Oh Lord, Give Thy Holy Spirit, Tallis                                                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bB4TLwyvkA

Psalm 47                                                                                                           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SxNwgz4Wn0

Wash Me Thoroughly, Wesley                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4kXabpdRpg

Here are a selection of music clips from our Early Music Concert on Thursday 7 May

Zadok the Priest,* Handel                                                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHrtYGm8flM

And the Glory of the Lord, Handel                                                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RVjl80ylQ

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs, Handel                                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RVjl80ylQ

Since By Man Came Death, Handel                                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RVjl80ylQ

Hellelujah Chorus, Handel                                                                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfg19H5SnPo

O Lord Give Thy Holy Spirit,* Tallis                                                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4CagPUA6aU

Ave Verum Corpus, Byrd                                                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMpqD1Sqh80

Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace, Wesley                                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hse0O5DPg4

*with the parent’s and friends choir

Our choir members don’t leave their musical talents at home when they’re not rehearsing or performing with us.

Here’s a clip of Matthew with his band The Fifth Season singing their own composition Always Running at the school fete on 4 May

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrOBca8ijVc

We now have our own youtube channel which can be located here. Among other things it contains recordings of our performances in Belgium which can all be found below.

Cantique de Jean Racine, Fauré                                                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcZnCrcD9ZI

Agnus Dei, Fauré                                                                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MBSqyj5eIY

Libera Me Fauré                                                                                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu4lhjQyFmk

O Thou The Central Orb, Wood                                                                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpOR0_Y5RDA

Nunc Dimittis in D, Brewer                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lDqS3deQs

God So Loved The World, Stainer                                                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TToH1tngYPc

Lacrimosa, Mozart                                                                                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7uTGss96hs

Locus Iste, Bruckner                                                                                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibwwK5OMXJg

Call To Remembrance, Farrant                                                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJeFSknCEaI

Crucifixus, Lotti                                                                                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBadN8EO14s

O Vos Omnes, Casals                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bS-qojDaxk

Lord, For Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake, Farrant & Hilton                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3QbJ3KoEo

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay, Reading/Cropper                                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2i-NqP7JdU

Go Lovely Rose, Thiman                                                                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISk3EoxkfB8

We are proud to announce we achieved distinction in both the youth and sacred music classes at the Croydon Music Festival at Royal Russell School last night.

More importantly we WON the Covina Cup in the youth choir cup.

Photos and soundtracks will follow shortly.