Autumn Term Music
I hardly dare admit it but I've got just as much from my childrens time with Barney School as them!
Claire Oates
On the second Sunday of term the Admission of new Choristers service takes place in Chapel. This is a wonderful occasion attended by the families of all our new singers. The Chapel Choir rehearses every Thursday evening, and during the autumn term much of this rehearsal time is focused on forthcoming Remembrance, Confirmation and Advent services. Chapel Choir sings at Newbiggin Chapel and at Butterwick Hospital for Chritmas Carols each year. The Bowes Museum Carol Concert is an annual highlight, as are our own carol services in the final week. The Chapel Choir regularly records CDs.
Just before Half Term all the houses battle it out for the unison and partsong trophies in the house music competition. Juniors and seniors have separate competitions, and even the staff get up on stage and have a go.
During the course of the term there are always concerts put on by pupils to raise money, the most popular of these being the Pop Idol competitions. Whether groups or solo artists, they are always sternly judged by merciless members of staff.
The Choral Society meets to rehearse every Thursday evening under the watchful eye of Mark Mawhinney and Matthew Atherton on piano. In recent years its repertoire has included Mozart's C Minor Mass, Haydn's Maria Theresa Mass in Bowes Museum and Durham Castle.
