During the Lent term the choir prepared an Eastertide musical devotion entitled "The Cross of Christ", which ,was performed, not only in the School Chapel, but also at Ringwold Church and St Joseph's church, Folkestone.

In the Summer term, Festal Evensong was sung with elaborate music, again in the School Chapel and Ringwold Church, and also at Buckland Church, Furthermore, there were two recitals of church music, the first being at St Joesphs, Folkestone and the second in the school Chapel on Grand Day.

This term the choir has already sung for the Harvest Festival at St Mary-in-the-Castle. Other engagements -include a Legion Service at Dover Town Hall on Friday October 27 and a Carol Service at Buckland Church on Sunday December 3.

Following the successful performance of Handel's 'Messiah' in 1976, our .musical director, Mr Adams, decided this time to forsake the well'.-trodden path of oratoric for two very different works less commonly heard in schools, These were Gabriel Faures's 'Messe de Requiem', composed in 1887, but not performed in this country until 1936, and Bernstein's 'Chichester Psalms', which was first performed at the Southern Cathedrals Festival in 1965. As in the previous year, we were joined for this concert by the choir of St Mary's Convent, Folkestone.

Both the chosen works present special problems for school choirs whose ear is usually better attuned to classical harmonies, and whose experience of singing in a language other than their own, is limited. It was immediately apparent, however, that not only had the initial problem of singing the Requiem in tune been mastered, but that all the enthusiasm and hard work which had gone into the rehearsals was about to bear fruit in a performance which was at once sincere, -,moving, and above all, musical, The two soloists responded in kind.

In the 'Chicester Psalms' the choir and organ were joined by Mr Knowler, who provided the percussion, and we were treated to a boisterous, exuberant, and thoroughly enjoyable rendering, of which the setting of Psalm 100 in the 1st movement was particularly memorable.

Our united thanks must go to Mr Adams, who conducted both works, to Mrs Adams (organist), and Mr Knowler, as well as to our two soloists Miss Louise Smye-Rumsby and Mr Kenneth Tee. The former, who is now at university, came all the way from Bristol to sing for us.

It remains only to voice one small regret, namely that so few boys attended the performance in the DYRMS chapel on November 26, The rest, clearly, still do not know what they -.missed, but we hope more will 'give it a try next time.

R.C.L.