It's Ascension Day today and since 1902 the choir of St John's College have climbed the chapel tower and sung from the top. This was to settle a disagreement between a Fellow and the Director of Music. The Fellow, Sir Joseph Larmor, was insistent that the choir could not be heard from the top of the tower so on Ascension Day the Director of Music took them up the tower and after the clock struck noon they started to sing. Cyril Rootham, the Director of Music, was apparently delighted to see Larmor throw open his window to see where the music was coming from. I've never been before as I've been living under the misconception that the singing was a dawn! Anyway - you can't see the choir on the roof of the tower so this is a shot of the boys on a little walkway that links the first set of steps (on the left) that go up to roof height, to the remainder of the steps that climb up the tower. I have recorded the singing (I think - I've been in a meeting since!) so I'll see if Adam can sort it out for me to link to later on.
Not sure - may need to view large.
what a great tradition - and a great "naughty choirboy" shot!! I know my sister's choral student pals at Kings used to get told off for antics on the roof!
A wonderful, wonderful story Judith & have to fave it for that as well as the photo. Just love the choir boy in his red cassock peering through!! We have some amazingly brilliant history in our country & so glad you are singing it from the roof tops ..so to speak !!!!
I like the way you always 'set' your photos in some interesting snippet. The architecture is very fine and set off well by the touch of red in the clothes.
Love the pop of red against the stone and that inquisitive little face peeping through. Great text and info (as always) and would look forward to the vocal!
This is a delightful shot, somewhat Harry Potterish and oh, so British. Like Pat says, nothing like good old English lore. Really like the clarity in the architectural details.
I like everything about this --- congratulations on the pops page! The architectural details of the church, the singer looking down and his bright, red robe! I will fav it to show my brother, who's the choir director at his church and a fan of architecture :D
May 20th, 2012
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