tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90039390462389428362024-03-13T21:06:48.055+00:00The Acolyte's TaleThe Acolyte's Tale is designed to bring to the attention of fellow Catholics interesting stories, pictures and videos, mostly in relation to liturgical affairs and Catholic music. Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comBlogger259125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-82327969095629356952019-11-24T18:16:00.001+00:002019-11-24T18:16:05.938+00:00Colin Mawby and Stephen Cleobury: RIPIt is with profound sadness that we learn of the deaths of Colin Mawby and Stephen Cleobury with just a couple of days of each other.<br />
<br />
Requiescat in pace.<br />
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Colin Mawby was Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral from 1961 to 1978, and was succeeded in that post for a few years by Stephen Cleobury (before Maestro Cleobury started his tenure at King's College Cambridge, that would last nearly four decades).<br />
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Colin Mawby also wrote music for Westminster Cathedral Choir and contributed extensively to the choral music scene in Ireland.<br />
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Here are two pieces from the Victoria Requiem, as sung by the great Westminster Cathedral Choir at the Funeral Mass of Cardinal Basil Hume.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/amNMywVqQMI?start=926" width="560"></iframe>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/amNMywVqQMI?start=1386" width="560"></iframe>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-22167343539726534402019-07-15T23:47:00.001+01:002019-07-28T23:35:22.662+01:00Celebrated Catholic Choirs in Crisis – Part 1<i>[See rolling updates below</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Update 1: 17 July 2019</i><br />
<i>Updates 2 & 3: 18 July 2019</i><br />
<i>Updates 4 to 6: 19 July 2019</i><br />
<i>Updates 7 & 8: 22 July 2019</i><br />
<i>Update 9: 28 July 2019]</i><br />
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A.D. 2019 has not been a
happy year for two of the world’s most high profile and important Catholic
liturgical choirs. Both the Westminster Cathedral Choir in London, and the
Sistine Chapel Choir in the Vatican, have been plunged into separate, but
potentially equally grave, crises that could threaten their respective reputations,
and have profoundly damaging repercussions for the cause of high quality Catholic
liturgical music across the world.</div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Part 1 of this post will
look at the Westminster Cathedral Choir School crisis. Part 2 will look at the
Sistine Chapel Choir crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I cannot stress enough
that, while the Vatican Choir’s situation (as you will see in Part 2) involves
allegations of financial misconduct against choir personnel, the Westminster
Cathedral Choir crisis has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with any misconduct by
anyone. Rather, it concerns the decision by the Head Master (Mr Neil
McLaughlan) and the Governors of the Westminster Cathedral Choir School
(chaired by Mr David Heminway), backed to the hilt by Cardinal Vincent Nichols
(who is the President of the School and Director of the Westminster Diocese
Trustee which controls the Charity which runs the Choir School), to abolish Full
Boarding by the choristers for the duration of their tenure (i.e. send them
home on Friday afternoon, and bring them back on Sunday morning).<br />
<br />
What appears to be a minor change actually
has profound practical implications, foremost of which (in my mind) is that the
number of services (Mass) at which the Full Choir sings will be <i>drastically</i> cut back, and a close second is that the choristers will have to travel to the Cathedral on Sunday morning for the Principal Mass of the week which will increase fatigue and result in much absenteeism. Each of the other consequences, in
combination, could (and probably will) spell disaster for this great
Choir.<br />
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I have <a href="http://acolytestale.blogspot.com/2013/01/from-vaults-of-westminster-cathedral-ii.html" target="_blank">blogged before about the Choir's near-death experiences</a>. Then, the illustrious and beloved past Cardinal Archbishops have personally interceded to protect the Choir from harm. It now falls to Cardinal Nichols to do the same, assuming he made his decision without the benefit of honest and unfiltered briefings. If his decision was based on information from the Head Master and Board of Governors that is less than forthright, which, given the profoundly damaging consequences the changes will have, is a reasonable assumption, then the Cardinal can reverse his decision without losing any face whatsoever.<br />
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Perhaps the best possible course of action to take immediately is to DEFER the implementation of the new boarding regime until the Cardinal is able to look at the facts afresh (the facts being as I set them out below). </div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><u>Part 1 – Westminster
Cathedral Choir </u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Part 1 of this post looks
at the factual background to, and reasoning behind, the decision by the Board
of Governors, Head Master, and Cardinal Vincent Gerard Nichols personally, to
abolish full boarding altogether at the Westminster Cathedral Choir School. Was it made fairly, and with a proper basis? And have the Governors been transparent in communicating the decision to the parents and wider community?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There has been
significant media interest in this story, as per the following (non-exhaustive)
list, and I have drawn heavily on these articles for my facts:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/19/westminster-cathedral-putting-heritage-risk-sending-choir-boy1/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/19/westminster-cathedral-putting-heritage-risk-sending-choir-boy1/</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/threat-to-top-choir-as-westminster-cathedral-choir-school-boarders-are-sent-home-cv5bxdq0t">https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/threat-to-top-choir-as-westminster-cathedral-choir-school-boarders-are-sent-home-cv5bxdq0t</a> [paywall]</li>
<li><a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/my-plea-to-cardinal-nichols-support-your-cathedrals-great-choir/">https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/my-plea-to-cardinal-nichols-support-your-cathedrals-great-choir/</a> [written by former Master of Music Colin Mawby]</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/15892/a-choir-school-out-of-harmony">https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/2/15892/a-choir-school-out-of-harmony</a> [written by a chorister parent and journalist]</li>
<li><a href="https://slippedisc.com/2019/03/westminster-parents-fear-for-cathedral-choir/">https://slippedisc.com/2019/03/westminster-parents-fear-for-cathedral-choir/</a></li>
</ul>
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<b>Chronology</b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It may be useful to set
out some key dates and events in this crisis:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sometime
before March 2019: Unknown persons undertook four months’ “research and
consultation” with unspecified numbers of “chorister parents” and parents of
“non-joiner families” (whoever they may be), and (remarkably) “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>all</u></b> the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>major</u></b> choir schools in England, including those of the
Oxbridge college” (though these are not named) – this quite extraordinary claim
will become highly relevant as you will see below; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">March
2019: The Board of Governors presented a document entitled “Strengthening the
Chorister Tradition for 2019 and Beyond” (the “Recommendations”) in which a
series of recommendations were made to Cardinal Nichols – I have not seen this
document but would like to – it is critical to this whole affair;**<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unknown:
Cardinal Vincent Nichols consults with the Archbishop’s Council (members not
identified), the Trustees of the Diocese of Westminster (see graphic below),
the Cathedral’s Chapter (members not identified), the Cathedral’s Administrator
(Canon Christopher Tuckwell) and Master of Music (Mr Martin Baker).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not clear if the Recommendations were
presented before or after the Cardinal’s own consultations took place, although
the letter dated 28 March referred to below suggests the latter (see the part
where, having mentioned the Recommendations, it states that the Cardinal “in
turn” carried out his own consultations); <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">March
2019: Cardinal Nichols “agrees to” the Recommendations in full and without,
apparently, any changes. These are then set out in the letter dated 28 March
referred to below (in other words, it was both something that the Cardinal is
supposed to have made significant inquiries about, but then simply
“rubber-stamped” - i.e. none of his inquiries caused him or his advisers to
give comments back to the Board of Governors to make changes to the
Recommendations); <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">28 March
2019: The Chair of Governors, Mr David Heminway, writes to the parents of
choristers (not all parents), copying in the Cardinal and Cathedral Music
Department, notifying of the Changes, which are exactly the same as the
Recommendations made to (and then agreed by) the Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>[** The oldest trick in the book - Entitle the report that is intended to destroy X something that implies the exact opposite - in this case, you intend to critically Weaken X (the Cathedral Choir), so the Report into the Changes must be called perversely "Strengthening the Choir". Well, that trick may have worked in 1976 when the Choir School Boarding was last re-cast, but it won't work in 2019 I'm afraid]</i><br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here is the full text of
the letter:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7BOn4rI6MiP3RK7ZUnkkM-9BuN_plgiH-xkxdodeVGcrB88fFXIHAl0p_-bzUvV5AQgPkK3lHkloL_e8Doc3ZEYGmkdz4ItC0PQEG_YJOoHfNtmNBgkQ0meGtFWt3MOLelCyGEtlChph/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1109" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7BOn4rI6MiP3RK7ZUnkkM-9BuN_plgiH-xkxdodeVGcrB88fFXIHAl0p_-bzUvV5AQgPkK3lHkloL_e8Doc3ZEYGmkdz4ItC0PQEG_YJOoHfNtmNBgkQ0meGtFWt3MOLelCyGEtlChph/s320/1.png" width="221" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8XNG_718h4U5_OeBBYV_6x8kL4BPOsujvhM2dc7wRH2evQjDInxP8HkqKNBnxJOQznpkx6UkryQN3VqYe744GkbxMMCrBTXnlf8ZhyphenhyphensrLAVbf9uFi73BjFUPwMhG3YyOoKShqbgN1j8B/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8XNG_718h4U5_OeBBYV_6x8kL4BPOsujvhM2dc7wRH2evQjDInxP8HkqKNBnxJOQznpkx6UkryQN3VqYe744GkbxMMCrBTXnlf8ZhyphenhyphensrLAVbf9uFi73BjFUPwMhG3YyOoKShqbgN1j8B/s320/2.png" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Twitter</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We are thus being asked
to believe that, having undertaken months of research, and presented the
“fruits” of this to the Cardinal in March 2019, recommending a wholesale change
to the choristers’ boarding programme that had been in place since 1976 (and
then only updated to take account of the new presence of day boys), the
Cardinal then undertook wide consultation of his own, and within the very same
month (March 2019) agreed to the changes so that they could be formally
communicated to all and sundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that
is true, then it is an example of the Catholic Church’s bureaucracy acting with
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unprecedented</i> alacrity and
efficiency. "Unprecedented” as in “never seen before”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why don’t we then explore
the key decision makers involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Key Players<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Westminster Cathedral
Choir School is charity, registered with the Charity Commission (No. </span><span lang="EN-GB">1063761).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its <a href="http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001063761_AC_20180831_E_C.PDF" target="_blank">annual reportfor 2018 (dated 31 August 2018) </a>sets out the key facts and personnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, the charity is wholly
controlled by the Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese Trustee. The directors of
this entity – a company limited by guarantee – are the “</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trustees of the Diocese of Westminster”
referred to above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their identities are
listed below, as are those of the school’s Board of Governors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, let’s have a look at
just how wide the Cardinal’s consultation was. We are told that the Cardinal (not
his advisers) consulted with: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the Trustees
of the Diocese of Westminster, of which he is himself a Director (and let’s
face it, the Big Chief Director – indeed he, apparently alone, has power to
appoint, and presumably dismiss, Directors - see graphic above); <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the
Archbishop’s Council: no doubt, Cardinal Nichols is also the head of this
Council, and what are the chances of, say, Canon Christopher Tuckwell also
sitting on this Council? And what about Fr Alexander Master, the Cardinal's Private Secretary? [see update below]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the
Cathedral’s Chapter: again, the Cardinal must be the head of the Chapter, and
it would likely include Canon Christopher Tuckwell and probably Fr Alexander
Master too [see update below]; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cathedral’s
Administrator: yes, you guessed it, this is Canon Christopher Tuckwell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>Update: It appears Fr Master is on the Archbishop's Council, while Canon Tuckwell may not be, according to the <a href="http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends99/0000233699_AC_20171231_E_C.PDF" target="_blank">2017 Annual Report for the Westminster Diocese Trust</a>. But Canon Tuckwell is certainly on the Chapter of Canons!</i><br />
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<br />
We know from the School's Annual
Report that Canon Christopher Tuckwell and Fr Alexander Master sit on the Board
of Governors of the School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you have
a situation whereby the people who are making the Recommendations for change
(the Governors) are exactly the same people with whom the Cardinal is
apparently consulting in relation to those very changes. I wonder what they could
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">possibly</i> be telling him?</div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The only “independent”
person or body with whom the Cardinal is said to have "consulted" is Martin
Baker, the Master of Music (arguably the single most important person with whom
to consult, as, oh, only that person who happens to be in charge of the
choristers for which the school was founded by Cardinal Vaughan in 1902!) And
I’m led to believe the changes were a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fait
accompli</i> by then and/or any feedback from the Master of Music was completely ignored
(well it obviously was).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Cathedral Choir School<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Let’s take a further look
at the governance of the Choir School – extracted from the <a href="http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001063761_AC_20180831_E_C.PDF" target="_blank">Annual Report for2018</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’ve not seen the Trust
Deed dated 8 July 1997 (as amended if indeed it has been) by which the School is governed, but would like to. It
is critical in this affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What seems key, to me,
are the following facts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We can see
the progression of the school from boarding chorister-only, to mixed with day
boys, to (as of 2017) admitting pre-prep boys as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, the School’s focus has been
moving proportionally away from its foundation status as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Choir</i> School per se, to more broadly being an all-purpose (albeit still
single-sex) preparatory (and now pre-preparatory – sort of Big Nursery) school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nevertheless,
unless there has been an unannounced formal change to the Trust Deed of the
School (the 1997 document), one has to assume that its charter still requires
it to provide choristers “to sing the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>daily</u></b>
capitular liturgy in the … Cathedral”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
(now accepted and implemented) Recommendations contradict this, as choristers
(being home at the weekends) will no longer sing at the Saturday morning
(capitular) Mass, nor at the Friday evening (capitular) Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears also that the only Vespers at
which the choristers (and hence Full Choir) will sing will be on Sundays (what
a travesty!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The School
is “the only Roman Catholic Boarding School” and as such, has a national
catchment area. The practical implications of the abolition of Full Boarding
are that only London-based children will be able to apply as choristers, as so
ably demonstrated by Colin Mawby in his Catholic Herald article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bye bye to those from the non-Home
Counties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not want you
anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The 28 March 2019 letter – Line by line<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Let’s drill down into the
claims made in the letter, shall we? There is some sleight of hand (to say the
least), as you’ll see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a letter
written by the Chairman of the Board of Governors of a prestigious academic institution,
I will start by saying that the drafting leaves a lot to be desired (or is just part
of the ambiguity for which he, perhaps, was striving).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are only two express
reasons proffered for the changes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1. Moving with the times;
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2. Pastoral care (more
family time for the choristers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Neither stands up to even
the slightest scrutiny, as will be demonstrated below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A third reason is proffered
implicitly: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3. We have consulted all
the top choir schools in the country, and are following suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Claim No. 1 – We need to move with the times<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So here we are told (without
any citation of a source) that in 1976, about 2,500 boys “boarded at 8+”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not told whether that meant Full
Board. This is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we are
told that today, “that number” [remember we don’t really know what “that number”
originally signified] is less than 350 boys “including choir schools”. See what
they did there as well: the implication is that the 2,500 figure might not have
included choir schools, thus making the relative drop appear <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">even greater</i>. But of course it did include
choir schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Again, we are also not
told expressly or by reference to any source if the 350 figure is Full Board or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if the 350 figure was Full
Board, and the 2,500 figure was Full Board + all other types of Lesser Board?
Then, the comparison is not a fair one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now, I’m willing to give
the Chairman the benefit of the doubt on that one, despite the fact that he
probably doesn’t deserve it. Why? Here’s why, as we come to the next sleight of
hand:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We are told that, variously,
the figures are for boys who “board 8+”, and “24/7 boarding among eight year old boys
has all but disappeared”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words, the author is at pains to say that the figures are for those students
who board (on Full Board) when they are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually
aged eight</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It totally ignores the
schools (especially choir schools) whose youngest boys (say, aged eight) start
their first year as probationers on Part Board, before transitioning into Full
Board later on when they are a little older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the figures cut out a whole lot of such students, then they are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">highly misleading</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I deal more with this below because it is
highly relevant to those “major choir schools” <b><u>all</u></b> (in England) of which the Board of Governors supposedly
consulted with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>[Spoiler: all the top, top choir schools in England I researched still have 24/7 boarding, but this is phased in over the first year or two of a chorister's tenure. So saying that 24/7 boarding amongst eight year olds may be true, but it is misleading to suggest that therefore it should be abolished not just for the eight year old choristers, but for all choristers of whatever age - which is NOT what the major choir schools in England do in fact - see below.]</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The final unsettling part
of this whole particular claim is this: even if Full Boarding has “gone out of fashion”
more broadly, it is probably the case that the 350 boys who still Full Board (even
at the tender age of eight) are likely to be almost all choristers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, maybe there are very good and
important reasons why Full Boarding is especially suited to (and indeed a
requirement for) the majority of choristers who supply a major cathedral’s daily music, even in
2019! This is not a point dealt with by the Chair’s letter, because again, the
source of the figures is not given when it ought to have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: red;">Was the Cardinal properly briefed about these figures? If not, why not?</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m going to move, out of
order, to Claim No.3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Claim No. 3: We have consulted all the top choir schools in the country,
and are following suit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is quite a claim to
make that you have consulted with “all the major choir schools in England, including
those of the Oxbridge colleges.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the
author (in his typical ambiguous style), does not define for us what the “major
choir schools” are. But we are given some sense by his inclusion of the choir
schools of the Oxbridge colleges in that phrase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would also therefore include all the choir
schools of the great Cathedral towns. Canterbury, Winchester, Chichester, Portsmouth,
Wells, Salisbury, Norwich, Ely, Lincoln, Durham, Exeter, Litchfield, Truro and
many, many more, without even mentioning the London based ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a whole lot of consulting by the Governors
amongst many people who were obviously ready, willing and able to give their
time to be consulted with! Wow, I’m impressed! I’d love to see their expenses
from all those trips to the provinces!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anyway, I don’t have the
luxury of doing all this “consulting”, so (and I know it’s the poor man’s way),
I simply had to check some facts online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
These are the first (and
only) world-class choir schools I have checked to verify the Governors’ (implied) claims
that Full Boarding was no longer prevalent amongst “all the major choir schools
of England”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, bear in mind we
know that Westminster Cathedral Choir School is the only <i>Catholic </i>school of its kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So it becomes an especially important institution by that reason
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There is no other like it in the World (let alone elsewhere in England). </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Westminster Abbey Choir School, London <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br />
Boarding: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">24/7 board after the first year</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Arguably the most “major”
of them all, and near neighbours of the Cathedral. Here is their current prospectus
which I generously extract to demonstrate how easily this could all apply to
the (current) Westminster Cathedral Choir - note especially that the Abbey and Cathedral Choirs both have prolific recording programmes with Hyperion (and other famous) labels which is a source of fame and income:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span> </div>
<div class="Normal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">King’s College Cambridge Choir School <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br />
Boarding: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Two</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> year probationary period transitioning to 24/7 board after that</span><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The other contender for most
“major” of them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Boarding: </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">24/7 after first year, with some Saturdays free too</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Both and college chapel and
Cathedral, this is a closer comparison to Westminster Cathedral than, say, some
other Oxbridge colleges, some of which no longer have the boys in on Sunday mornings
in term time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHrgmuME0SK3exs-2ejJ2uuwKtJGPeq-CsWUwQB_a-cyHEWrGV3zaZIcVc09Z5vi7nOlRVE_HctUamXRBrEcsyZ2Dd37woyNKhLmYQdyqOttFVv3RwZexKT8OQ6yKvVtcOB_aekZBIgoQ/s1600/12.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHrgmuME0SK3exs-2ejJ2uuwKtJGPeq-CsWUwQB_a-cyHEWrGV3zaZIcVc09Z5vi7nOlRVE_HctUamXRBrEcsyZ2Dd37woyNKhLmYQdyqOttFVv3RwZexKT8OQ6yKvVtcOB_aekZBIgoQ/s320/12.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What about a non-Oxbridge
provincial cathedral?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ely, Cambridgeshire <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />
Boarding: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">transition to 24/7 board, with options for weekend visits at the boys’ choice</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">CONCLUSION: The Chairman’s
letter is an old-fashioned stitch up! Not one of the major-major (sound a bit
Catch-22), or even the minor-major, choir schools that first sprang into my mind seems to have ditched 24/7 boarding.
Unfortunately for the Chairman, some equally old fashioned hard work and research
(aided by the very modern internet) is able to bring this to light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">If the Board of Governors was being fully up-front, they would say that they are <i>ignoring</i> what equivalent world-class choir schools are doing (i.e. a transition style boarding arrangement), and instead going straight from Full Board for all the boys of all ages, to Part Board for all the boys of all ages. See - it's pretty simple to be clear and honest if you want to be! </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">Was the Cardinal made aware that the Head Master and Governors were going AGAINST the Boarding regimes at equivalent world-class choir schools? If not, why not?</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">Was the Cardinal even made aware of the nature of the boarding regimes at the nearest equivalent choir schools in England? (i.e. part time boarding transitioning to 24/7 after the first year or two?) If not, why not?</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Claim No. 2: It’s for the pastoral care of the chorister<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Absolute tosh, I’m
afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read each and every Full Board
programme at the above choir schools and ample – no, generous – provision is
made for pastoral care, leisure time, family visits to the school, and
chorister visits to the family at regular intervals. None have seen fit to shut
down the choir school altogether at weekends, forcing the children to go home
on Friday evenings. This is especially ill conceived in nightmarish London with
the commute involved (believe me, I’m a daily sufferer on the Southeastern
trains from and to Kent every morning and evening peak hours).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then the poor boys are hauled out of bed on Sunday morning to have
to commute back to the Cathedral for the “source and summit” liturgy, instead
of simply traipsing a few yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I know when I was that age, it was hell for my parents to get me and my two sisters to Mass on time and in good spirits!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And if you want further proof
that claim is utter nonsense, consult these two reports: <a href="https://files.api.beta.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/1141007" target="_blank">an OFSTED report from 2008</a> and a much more <a href="http://www.choirschool.com/downloads/WCCS-ISI-Inspection-Report-Nov-2018.pdf" target="_blank">recent (Nov 2018) report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The OFSTED report from over a decade ago highlighted
a problem with bullying, but found that <i>“</i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><i>Most parents
are exceptionally happy with the care and education their sons receive.”</i> Improvements
were being made at that time in terms of greater provision of leisure
activities, but there was no suggestion that family time was too restricted or
that either the boys or the parents wanted (or needed) this to be increased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And a bombshell: in the November 2018 ISI
Report, we read that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So the Westminster
Cathedral Choir School already consulted regarding other similar choir schools,
made and then implemented pastoral changes aimed at boarder well-being shortly before
November 2018!! The ISI’s Report is a <u>glowing endorsement</u> of the Choir School
and boarding arrangements - the School rightly boasts about it (see below).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why on earth
was there then (immediately) a 4-month long further review from December 2018
to March 2019 which then made recommendations wholly inconsistent with the boarding programmes
at other similar world class choir schools??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">OFSTED REPORT (2008)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ISI Report (2018)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6lL9irkDtl4kLFhQJYXoPOmeOi8Yg2Csqt9EZhHHZQ7SBYi0FMd6XpYh0jLwUbnbWhMId-Q2mVAqsgYvUH8zn7gnbK6NOcNfNrY1ys516QjNIiMgObXshyphenhyphenxxRk2dLF76D-4624rvzXae/s1600/32.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="999" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6lL9irkDtl4kLFhQJYXoPOmeOi8Yg2Csqt9EZhHHZQ7SBYi0FMd6XpYh0jLwUbnbWhMId-Q2mVAqsgYvUH8zn7gnbK6NOcNfNrY1ys516QjNIiMgObXshyphenhyphenxxRk2dLF76D-4624rvzXae/s320/32.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Westminster Choir School advertises its excellent score in the 2018 Inspection report</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So the claim that the change to the boarding arrangements was necessary due to pastoral considerations has been <i>comprehensively debunked</i>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Was the Cardinal made aware of the November 2018 ISI Report? If not, why not?</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />Was the Cardinal aware that the Choir School had already (shortly prior to the 2018 ISI Report) consulted other equivalent choir schools and implemented changes that resulted in the glowing November 2018 ISI Report? If not, why not?</span><br />
<br />
<b>Conclusions</b><b><br /></b><br />
<br />
I shall not speculate, as some others have, that the real reason for the changes is (eventually) to pave the way for the abolition of boarding <i>altogether</i>. Or perhaps financial considerations (if these two issues are not inherently linked anyway).<br />
<br />
All we can say for sure is that NONE of the reasons proffered by the Head Master, Board of Governors (and ultimately accepted by the Cardinal) withstand scrutiny. So there MUST be other reasons for the changes. In the absence of transparent disclosure from the School and Cathedral authorities, chorister parents (many of whom are against the changes), the Cathedral Music Department (who are completely against the changes), parishioners of the Cathedral and the wider Catholic community in England & Wales and beyond are entitled to draw negative inferences.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Implications</b></div>
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The choir will now rehearse less.</div>
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It will also sing at daily Mass a lot less. That means the average punter in the pew has less chance to hear the choir, and the choir less chance to practice its art "for real". We will all be diminished by this, as Colin Mawby put it so well.<br />
<br />
Perhaps most damaging of all, as I allude to above (and as is also so ably demonstrated by Colin Mawby), the boys will have to be transported by their families to Sunday Morning Mass at the Cathedral. This will invariably result in lateness, non-attendance and lethargy amongst the choristers (less sleep to account for travel time). Now I know how important this is. I live in greater London (Borough of Bromley). It takes 50 mins for me to drive to the Cathedral on a good Sunday, and that's without road works (i.e. never). It takes 20 mins on the train, which are so often not running on Sundays due to engineering works (or are late / cancelled / diverted) if they are running. It's a lottery if I can even get to the Cathedral on time or at all. If the trains are not running, I basically do not go to Westminster Cathedral for Mass, too long and arduous the drive into central London is. What about for the chorister parents on a weekly basis? Or is the Cardinal expecting them all to commute from as close as Kensington with a police escort?</div>
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I demonstrate graphically below the services we will lose the choristers from in any given week, and the two lots of Vespers (on Christmas Day and Easter Day) that we will also lose (<i>travesty!</i>)</div>
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Now, I will leave it to the experts to opine on whether these cut-backs will affect the quality of the choir's singing. However, what they say is this:</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And what of the professional men? If there is even a perception (yes perceptions are important too) that the quality of the choir will be diminished, then the professional men who offer their services will likely think twice about whether they want to be associated with the choir’s output. These are men who sing in the top London and International choirs. They have professional reputations to consider. Lose the best of these, and the choir’s path to demise will be a very short one indeed.</span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Key Further Documents</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If any legal action is
being considered in relation to this decision, then I would recommend, as a
bare minimum, getting genuine copies of the Recommendations dated March 2019 (which will show how the Changes were framed to the Cardinal), the Trust Deed dated 8 July 1997 in accordance with which the School is governed (which is necessary to show whether the Changes are lawful),
and whatever document was penned by the Cardinal (presumably drafted by an aide and not the Cardinal personally) in
which he stated that:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">From the context, it
appears to be the letter / email by which he communicated his agreement to the Governors’
Recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By quoting from this
document in the letter to parents, it is fair game for the whole of that document
to be published (and indeed transparency requires it) and I call upon the Cardinal’s
Office and the Board of Governors to do so without delay, along with the other documents listed above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>Key Clarifications from the Head Master, Board of Governors, and the Cardinal</b></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I have set out above in the documents that the Board of Governors must release publicly in the interests of full transparency.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I have also set out in red text the questions that the Head Master, Board of Governors, and the Cardinal, must answer to address the serious issues raised on the face of the 29 March 2019 letter to chorister parents. I set them out again below.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Now, if the Cardinal was aware of the <u>full background</u> to the recommended Changes (i.e. that they were not actually based on or supported by the reasons cited in the letter) AND still approved the recommendations, then that is that. </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">But if I were the Cardinal, and I became aware that I may have been hoodwinked (or had crucial details of the background withheld from me), and made a public decision erroneously as a result, then I would feel profoundly embarrassed and want to put the brakes on the Recommendations being implemented until further investigations are carried out. There would be no shame in that, and indeed it would be essential to do so. </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">So, here again are the most critical questions arising from the letter to chorister parents:</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">What does the 1997 Trust Deed require the Choir School (a Charity regulated by the Charities Commission) to actually do in terms of proving choristers for the Cathedral?</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">What is the full text of the Recommendations made to the Cardinal in March 2019?</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: red;">Was the Cardinal properly briefed about the unsourced statistics about boys' boarding in 1976 vs 2019? If not, why not?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">Was the Cardinal made aware that the Head Master and Governors were going AGAINST the Boarding regimes at equivalent world-class choir schools? If not, why not?</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">Was the Cardinal even made aware of the nature of the boarding regimes at the nearest equivalent choir schools in England? (i.e. part time boarding transitioning to 24/7 after the first year or two?) If not, why not?</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red; mso-spacerun: yes;">Was part time transitioning into full board offered as an option for the School in the Recommendation (or in any briefing note associated with the Recommendation, since the Recommendations themselves seem to have simply been as outlined in the letter)?</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red;">Was the Cardinal made aware of the November 2018 ISI Report? If not, why not?</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Was the Cardinal aware that the Choir School had already (shortly prior to the 2018 ISI Report) consulted other equivalent choir schools and implemented changes that resulted in the glowing November 2018 ISI Report? If not, why not?</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Who drafted the correspondence by which the Cardinal agreed to the Recommendations of the Head Master and Board of Governors?</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>UPDATE 1</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">I emailed the Cardinal, Head Master and Chair of the Board of Governors yesterday afternoon. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I linked to my blog and set out a series of questions as per Table 1 Below. I have received a response (and "Account of the current situation" dated 17 July whose authorship and date of <i>drafting</i> is unknown) from the Cardinal's PA Ms Ellen Dunleavy, for which I am grateful. No response from the Head Master or Chair of the Board of Governors. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">The Account is clearly a "stock" response sent to anyone who writes to the Cardinal on this issue. I have replied a short time ago with two rounds of further questions, which I set out as Table 2 and Table 3 below. I will publish any clarifications that are provided, in the interests of uttermost fair dealing and transparency. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>The Account</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Table 1</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
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<b>Query</b></div>
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<b>Cardinal’s Comment</b></div>
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<b>Head Master’s Comment</b></div>
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<b>Board of Governor’s Comment</b></div>
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What does the 1997 Trust Deed require the Choir School (a Charity regulated by the Charities Commission) to actually do in terms of providing choristers for the Cathedral? Please provide the whole document for review. </div>
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What is the full text of the Recommendations made to the Cardinal in March 2019?</div>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Was the Cardinal properly briefed about the unsourced statistics about boys' boarding in 1976 vs 2019? If not, why not?</div>
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<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Was the Cardinal made aware that the Head Master and Governors, in making their Recommendations, were going AGAINST the Boarding regimes in place at equivalent world-class choir schools in England? If not, why not?</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="140"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 219.7pt;" valign="top" width="143"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Was the Cardinal even made aware of the nature of the boarding regimes at the nearest equivalent choir schools in England? (i.e. part time boarding transitioning to 24/7 after the first year or two?) If not, why not?</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="140"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 219.7pt;" valign="top" width="143"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Was part time transitioning into full board offered as an option for the Choir School in the Recommendation (or in any briefing note associated with the Recommendation, since the Recommendations themselves seem to have simply been as outlined in the letter)?</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="140"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 219.7pt;" valign="top" width="143"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Was the Cardinal made aware of the November 2018 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report which gave a glowing assessment of the choristers’ well-being? If not, why not?</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="140"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 219.7pt;" valign="top" width="143"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Was the Cardinal aware that the Choir School had already (shortly prior to the Nov 2018 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report) consulted other equivalent choir schools and implemented changes that resulted in the glowing November 2018 ISI Report? If not, why not?</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="140"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 219.7pt;" valign="top" width="143"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-image: initial; border-left: 1pt solid windowtext; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 460.3pt;" valign="top" width="282"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
Who drafted the correspondence by which the Cardinal agreed to the Recommendations of the Head Master and Board of Governors, which is quoted in the 28 March 2019 letter to chorister parents?</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="140"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 219.7pt;" valign="top" width="143"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; padding: 4.25pt; width: 205.55pt;" valign="top" width="142"><div class="yiv0438051490ydpee0268d6MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Table 2</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 100%px;">
<thead>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Question<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Cardinal’s
response<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Head
Master’s response<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Chairman
of the BoG’s response<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="4" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="Standard">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Preliminary
questions regarding your email response<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Has the Cardinal personally read the
content of my email dated 16 July?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Has the Cardinal personally read the blog
post for which a link was provided in that email?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Did the Cardinal personally ask you to send
your response to that email?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Has Fr Alexander Master, the Cardinal’s
Private Secretary, personally read the content of email dated 16 July?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Has Fr Alexander Master personally read
the blog post for which a link was provided in that email?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Did Fr Alexander Master personally ask you
to send your response to that email?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 100.0%;" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="Standard">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Preliminary
questions that arise from the Account<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">The Account is dated 17 July
2019. Was the Account drafted on this date, wholly or substantially? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">If not, when was it wholly or
substantially drafted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Who drafted this document? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Was it the Cardinal personally?
</span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Fr Alexander Master
personally? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">The Head Master personally?</span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">The Chairman of the Board of
Governor’s personally?</span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">By someone instructed by any
of these people (if so, please specify by whom it was instructed)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Account is unsigned. </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Who settled this document? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Was it the Cardinal personally?
</span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Fr Alexander Master
personally? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">The head Master personally? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">The Chairman of the Board of
Governor’s personally? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">By someone instructed by any
of these people (if so, please specify by whom it was instructed to be
settled)? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Was it settled in writing or
verbally?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Has the Cardinal personally seen the text
of the Account dated 17 July 2019?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">The issue of chorister recruitment <i>per se</i> was not given as a reason for
the boarding changes change in Mr Heminway’s letter to chorister parents dated
28 March. </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Why is this? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is especially important given that in
the Account it is now offered as the <i>sole</i>
or <i>only </i>reason for the Cardinal
agreeing to the changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Was the reason chorister recruitment
was cited as the reason for the change only due to the fact that it became
clear that the original reasons published (in the letter dated 28 March) did
not stand up to scrutiny? </span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">If not, when did issue if
chorister recruitment become the sole reason of the changes? </span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Where is this recorded?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">The premise of the Account is that the
Cardinal has based his decision solely on the recruitment issue. </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Please (according to my earlier request)
provide the full, unedited text of the document <i>"</i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><i>Strengthening
the Chorister Tradition for 2019 and Beyond”</i> in the same form it was sent to
the Cardinal, and the Cardinal’s response thereto (quoted in the 28 March
letter) confirming his decision to agree to the Recommendations, and any
other form of briefing note brought into existence in the lead up to the Recommendations
being sent to the Cardinal. </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is necessary to confirm that
chorister recruitment was one of the issues proffered to the Cardinal as the
basis for the Recommended changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Account states that chorister
recruitment had been an issue for the last 5 years. What steps did the Choir
School (Head Master, Board of Governors, and anyone else connected thereto) take
to address this <i>before</i> it
apparently became so dire as to (in the Choir School’s view) require the changes
now being implemented?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who is responsible for chorister recruitment?
</span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who runs the recruitment campaigns? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Please provide all details of recruitment
campaigns, including the figures for number of choristers applying for voice
trials, year on year for the last 10 years.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is common practice for organisations
such as schools and businesses to have 5 to 10 year plans for the organisation,
its growth, and future direction. If
the abolition of boarding at the Choir School altogether were to have been
planned, it would be part of such a 5 to 10 year plan. </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Is the abolition of boarding altogether
at the Choir School planned? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Has its complete abolition
ever been discussed, minuted, or formally or informally agreed to in the last
10 years? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Is it part of a long term
plan for the Choir School? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">Have the Choir School, the
Trustees of the Diocese of Westminster, or any party connected therewith, lodged
any documents with the Council of the City of Westminster (or any other
relevant Body) in relation to the planned alteration, or change in use, of
the boarders’ accommodation or the possibility of doing so in the future? </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">If not, has any of these
entities engaged or spoken to professionals, or spoken or discussed
internally, about the possibility of changing the use of the boarders’ accommodation
in the future? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">If the complete abolition of boarding is
not currently on the cards, or part of any plan for the short, medium of long
term future of the Choir School, would the Cardinal be willing to confirm
this, by writing and signing a note to this effect?</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 33.52%;" valign="top" width="33%"><div class="Standard">
<span lang="EN-GB">Other questions are set out in a marked up
version of the Account. </span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 22.58%;" valign="top" width="22%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 21.32%;" valign="top" width="21%"><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Table 3</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt;">
<thead>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Text of
Account<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Comments<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The challenge that has had to be addressed in recent months was
that in the last five years the number of families approaching the school for
voice trials for their sons had more than halved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Halved from what to what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">See below questions re recruitment practices in the “last five
years”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Admissions of choristers had reached a level that, if not
addressed, risked the future of the choir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The implication is that the numbers had fallen to this point
BECAUSE OF the full boarding situation. Please provide evidence for
this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">See below questions re recruitment practices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since the announcement of the changes in boarding, the number of
families seeking admission for their sons has doubled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many were seeking admission before the changes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many after? How many of these did so AS A RESULT OF THE
changes to boarding? Since this is the implication of the statement, how can
you demonstrate this to be true?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Furthermore, there are already a good number of families
approaching the school for admission to the choir in September 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many? What evidence is there these people have approached
the school AS A RESULT OF the change in boarding as you imply they have by
making this statement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In February this year, when the process of consultation was
being concluded, there was one new chorister for admission to the choir in
September 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When did the Sept 2019 recruitment campaign begin and end?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">According to the Tablet, the Cardinal said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“For
2019/20 we have just one probationer confirmed, with two offers out. There
are no further enquiries, despite an expensive national marketing campaign, a
meticulously-run open morning, and a £10,000 promotional video.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Give details of the “expensive national marketing campaign”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Give details of the “meticulously-run open morning”. How does
the Cardinal know that it was meticulously-run”? Did he attend?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How were families invited to attend the chorister open day? How many
attended?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please provide a copy of the “<i>£10,000 promotional video”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who is responsible for recruitment of chorister-pupils?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who is currently responsible for recruitment campaigns for
chorister pupils? If different, who has been responsible for the recruitment
campaigns for each of the last 5 years?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Detail each of the recruitment campaigns for the 5 years before
the unsuccessful 2019 campaign?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please comment on the assertion in the Tablet that the
recruitment campaign was not at all well run:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“As for the
recruitment issue, some question whether over the last few years there has
really been a concerted, upbeat effort to spread the news of the wonderful
full-time chorister experience to the country’s 2,134 Catholic primary
schools in Britain. At the annual “meticulously-run open morning” referred to
by Cardinal Nichols, no chorister parents are invited along to allay the
fears of prospective parents who might be nervous about full-boarding for
their sons. The school only needs to find five new probationers each year
from the vast national pool; and if the full-boarding experience were
properly respected and treasured by the headmaster, many of the current
chorister parents feel sure he would have little trouble recruiting.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And see below questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now, seven new choristers will be joining in September: this is
unprecedented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I appreciate that seven choristers joining in September 2019
must be unprecedented, as that date hasn’t come around yet. Please explain
how this is otherwise “unprecedented”. Please provide all necessary data to
support this statement (e.g. records chorister admissions dating back to 1902
or at least as far back as 1976).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When were these “seven new choristers” first approached, or when
did they first approach the school showing interest in joining the choir?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Were any of these 7 choristers ones who turned down places
previously (or were among those whose parents who had previously considered
sending their sons to the school)? If so, what were the specific reasons they
turned down places initially?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The importance of this is, if the 7 were entirely or
substantially new:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- there is no way of saying whether they would or would not have
joined under the old boarding regime. They simply said yes to the new one
without being offered full board; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- it means that there were other more important reasons that the
other boys who considered attending earlier but decided not to, did so for
other reasons, not the boarding (likely to be that they received an offer at
what their parents considered to be a better school)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When was the PDF flyer “an opportunity your son” first
conceived? <a href="http://www.choirschool.com/downloads/Westminster-An-opportunity-for-your-son-flyer.pdf">http://www.choirschool.com/downloads/Westminster-An-opportunity-for-your-son-flyer.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The process of consultation involved both parents of current
choristers and those who had considered sending their sons to the school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The newspaper articles in relation to this issue state that many
chorister parents feel that they were NOT properly consulted. E.g. a parent writing in the Tablet:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No proper or open consultation process
took place. In January the chorister parents were sent a short,
innocuous-seeming, box-ticking survey, asking how satisfied they were with
their sons’ experience as choristers. Most could not have had any idea of the
cataclysmic changes the school had up its sleeve.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When a dark rumour started to circulate, the
headmaster reassured them in an email that it was mere “Chinese whispers”.
The choristers were formally informed by the staff of the changes only 20
minutes after the email had been sent out, before they’d had a chance to chat
to their parents. The three Siemens brothers from Wales had the instant
feeling that they would have to leave, which has indeed proved to be the
case.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many chorister parents were there during the consultation
period?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many of these were consulted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How else were the current chorister parents consulted, other
than by this “</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">short, innocuous-seeming, box-ticking
survey, asking how satisfied they were with their sons’ experience as
choristers”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How then were </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">those “who
had considered sending their sons to the school” consulted? How many of these
were there? How many of them were consulted? What questions were they asked?
What responses were given?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many of the “seven new choristers” are among the children of
these parents who were consulted in Feb 2019 as parents “who had considered
sending their sons to the school”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The present pattern of boarding emerged as a significant factor
in their views and decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many of those <i>chorister</i>
parents that were consulted gave feedback that “the pattern of boarding” was
“a significant factor in their views”? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many of the parents “who had considered sending their sons
to the school” that were actually consulted gave feedback that “the pattern
of boarding” was “a significant factor in their views and decisions?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What does “significant factor” mean? What other factors did
these parent give as a basis for their “views and decisions”? Did any of the
parents who had considered sending their sons to the school but didn’t
actually receive offers? If they did, what were the specific reasons for
turning them down? Was he dominant reason the “pattern of boarding”? Which
schools did they end up sending their sons to? Were these other schools even
choir schools?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is it correct that the new pattern of boarding forced 3 Welsh
choristers to be withdrawn from the Choir?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The consultation subsequently included the Cathedral Chapter and
the Trustees of the Diocese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Cardinal is the main Trustee of the Diocese. Which other trustees
were consulted? How? What were their responses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Canon Christopher Tuckwell (the Administrator of the Cathedral) sits
on the Cathedral Chapter. We know the cardinal consulted him personally. But
who did the Head Master and Governors consult among the 18 or so Canons of the
Chapter other than Canon Tuckewell? What
were their responses? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Cathedral Administrator and Master of Music were personally
consulted by the Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I take it that, by stating separately that Cardinal personally
consulted the Cathedral Administrator and Master of Music, that these were
the only ones he personally consulted with.
Please confirm?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What did the Master of Music advise the Cardinal during the consultation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Care is being taken that musical standards are protected. The
choristers currently rehearse on six days of the week; from September they
will also rehearse on six days of the week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is the “current” actual number of rehearsal hours? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What will that be from September?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If different (i.e. fewer hours of rehearsals from September),
why does the Account not simply state this upfront, to avoid inevitable
accusations of obfuscation and deception?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What about singing lessons? Will the actual number of hours of
singing lesson be the same, or will there be a drop?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What about hours of performance singing at services? How many
hours are lost due to the new boarding arrangement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please let me know if the assumptions below are incorrect:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- Two hours fewer for rehearsals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- Two hours fewer for singing lessons<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- Two hours fewer for performance signing (for the Fri and Sat
masses no longer attended)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- Six hours fewer hours singing overall per week<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">- Assuming 40 weeks in the choristers’ term time, that’s at
least 240 fewer hours per year singing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition, the Sunday Morning rehearsal and Mass will follow
immediately after the choristers’ are brought back from their respective
homes. Can you guarantee they will be
as rested and well-prepared as if they were on site?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In those circumstances, please explain what “Care is being taken
that musical standards are protected”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What has the Cathedral Music Department advised in this regard?
If they have advised that musical standards are likely to drop, on what basis
has the Cardinal, Head Master, and Board of Governors satisfied themselves
that musical standards will nevertheless be maintained?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have the professional adult Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir
advised the Cardinal as to their view on whether musical standards will drop
following the changes? If they have advised that musical standards are likely
to drop, on what basis has the Cardinal, Head Master, and Board of Governors
satisfied themselves that musical standards will be nevertheless be
maintained?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The question of finance has never been part of these
considerations. No potential chorister has ever been turned away for lack of
finance. No contribution to the Chorister Hardship Fund has been declined.
Indeed, further contributions are welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not see the relevance of this paragraph to any questions
I’ve raised in emails to the Cardinal or on my blog. I suspect this gives
credence to my suspicion that this is a “stock” response, and must have been
drafted much earlier than the 17 July 2019 date that it bears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps it is not surprising that families wish to be able to
spend more time with their sons while also being enthusiastic in wanting them
to enjoy the experience and commitment of being choristers in Westminster
Cathedral Choir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Not sure of the relevance of this statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The fact is, full time boarding has been in place at Westminster
Cathedral since 1902. It continued in place following the admission of day
boys in 1976. It is the reason for the
world class standard of the choir. The
onus is on the people changing this regime to justify how this world class
standard will be maintained, where almost every other near-equivalent world
class choir school in England considers in necessary to maintain full-board
to uphold the highest standards. I
demonstrate this on my blog and will not repeat here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The use of emotional sleight of hand (as this statement betrays)
is unbecoming of the Cardinal (if he actually drafted this sentence) or
whoever did draft this sentence. It is emotionally manipulative because it
implies that those who want full-boarding to remain somehow do not place
importance on the choristers spending as much time as possible with the
parents. This is a suggestion wholly unworthy of a Prince of the Church. And the implication is completely untrue. Once again, if the author of the Account had
bothered to read my blog, they would have seen that the recent ISI Report is
glowing in terms of the choristers’ personal well-being and development, and
ample family time is already catered for during the week and at
weekends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 209.4pt;" valign="top" width="174"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">17 July 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 208.25pt;" valign="top" width="165"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 279.8pt;" valign="top" width="368"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As per other question: when was this document actually drafted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Update 2</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">I summarise where we are up to in this affair:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
<b>Date</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
<b>Key document / issue</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
<b>Relevance</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
<b>Source (where
applicable)</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"><div class="Normal">
<b>Comments</b><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
Late 2018 to February
2019<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
Details of the
consultation period<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
This will be critical
to understanding who the Head Master etc consulted with, and what their
feedback was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
It is especially
important in order understand the reason (now given in the Account) as to why
recruitment of choristers had floundered in 2018-19.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Does the feedback
actually support the proposition, advanced in the Account, and in the
Cardinal’s email agreeing to the boarding changes (see extracts in the Tablet
article) that the boarding issue was the CAUSE of the recruitment problems?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
This is fundamental
because the boarding changes are being justified SOLELY by reference to the
recruitment issue (which, yes, is inconsistent with the Chairman’s latter of
28 March which did not expressly refer to recruitment problems at all).
That document relied on seriously questionable statistics as to boarding
overall. See more below. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
“Strengthening the
Choir” document (assumed)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Requested from the Head
Master, Board of Governors, and Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Not yet received. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"><div class="Normal">
If the feedback is set
out in any detail, this will enable us to understand the reasons why
prospective choristers did not end up attending the WCCS. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
In particular, it will
enable a proper understanding of whether there were in fact other compelling
reasons for the boys not attending other than the boarding arrangement,
primary among these would be:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
- They were not offered
a place by the school (either due to not meeting the musical standards
required, or , meeting musical standards, the school otherwise did not offer
a place);<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
- It may even allow us
to understand whether the "parents who had considered
sending their sons" who were consulted were parents who had recently
shown interest, or whether some of these parents were from previous
recruitment years (i.e. were the numbers stacked). This would be manifestly
unfair if the school went into the past to find parents who did not send
their sons to WCCS for comment, but did not do the same for past parents of
choristers. This is particularly egregious if these parents' comments are
then being used to support a recruitment problem that has occurred only very
recently. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
March 2019<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
“Strengthening the
Choir”<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
The most critical
document of all. I assume that this document contains all the
background information which the Head Master used to support his
Recommendations to the Cardinal. It may have the raw data set out – in
which case, excellent. It will almost certainly also contain the
information to back-up the claims made in the Chairman’s letter (or, on the
other hand. show them to be highly suspect). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
I am particularly keen
to see if this document sets out:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
- the other choir
schools actually consulted (it would make it a long document!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
- the statistics re 8+
boarding, to give the full context, and to see if my hunch is right that as
soon as the boys get older, that figure of 340-odd shoots right up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
- the figures that will
support the claim in the Account that in the last 5 years, applications for
voice talks have halved. Of course, we need the year on year figures. Because
it will be highly misleading if they were, say: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
50 in 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
70 in 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
30 in 2016<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
55 in 2017<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
45 in 2018<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
25 in 2019. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
You see - they have
"halved" in the last 5 years (sort of - rather, the 2019 figure is
half of what it was in 2014 0- that's a bit different), but it give a
misleading impression!!! It also means that only in the last year have they
REALLY dropped. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
My goodness me, there
will be much to pull apart if only I were to be provided with <i>that
document</i>!<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
Requested from the Head
Master, Board of Governors, and Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Not yet received. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"><div class="Normal">
I have a sneaking
suspicion that, if the Chairman of the Board of Governor’s letter was a
“stich-up” (which I’ve already demonstrated is highly likely), then the
“Strengthening the Choir” document is likely also to be a “stitch-up”.
Of course, if that document is a fair document, then the Head Master et al
will have no issue with it being released publicly, at the
earliest opportunity, to allow proper scrutiny of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
It will, I assume,
allow us all to ascertain whether the Chairman’s extraordinary claim that “<b><u>all</u></b> the
top choir schools in England, <b><u>including</u></b> those of
the <i>Oxbridge colleges</i>” were indeed consulted is in fact true, or
if true, accurately records the manner in which this is set out in the
briefing to the Cardinal. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
March 2019<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
Full text of email from
Cardinal advising of decision<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
Shows the basis upon
which Cardinal himself made his decision. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
The Tablet (partially
extract only)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Requested from the Head
Master, Board of Governors, and Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Not yet received. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"><div class="Normal">
We need to know who
actually drafted that email too, and who settled it. Was it the Cardinal
personally, or his Personal Secretary?<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
17 July 2019<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
Account of the Current
Situation<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
Sets out the basis of
the Changes<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
Emailed to me by the
Cardinal Personal Assistant<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"><div class="Normal">
Series of questions
sent to Cardinal et al for comment on this document.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Authorship and date of drafting
unknown. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Raises serious
questions as to the fidelity of the basis of the basis of the decision to implement
the recommended changes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Assumed that heavily
reliant on the Strengthening the Choir document – so if it falls, so does
this Account. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
28 March 2019<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
The Chairman’s letter
to chorister parents<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
Gives reasons, and
statistics, in support of the Changes (despite not including the very reason
now relied on in the Account). <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
Twitter<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"><div class="Normal">
Various statistics
cited in the letter need a source (e.g. the figures regarding 8+ boarding) –
so that they can be seen in their full context. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 10.62%;" valign="top" width="10%"><div class="Normal">
1997<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 16.62%;" valign="top" width="16%"><div class="Normal">
Trust Deed and
Instrument of Government<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 27.12%;" valign="top" width="27%"><div class="Normal">
Legal framework of the
WCCS charity, it charitable purposes, etc<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 18.86%;" valign="top" width="18%"><div class="Normal">
Requested from the Head
Master, Board of Governors, and Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Not yet received. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
Possibility of
obtaining this from the archives of Westminster City Council<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 26.78%;" valign="top" width="26%"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Now, if on review of these further documents (which
I’ve not been provided with by the Head Master, Chairman or Cardinal), it is
found that they are seriously flawed, or even manifestly misleading, and/or
they reveal the Chairman of the Board of Governor’s letter of 28 March 2019 to
be seriously flawed, or even manifestly misleading (as I suspect with a good
basis, it might be), then if I were the <i>other</i>
Governors on the Board of Governors (</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mrs Julie Buclez, Mrs Maria Church, Mrs Kate Finch,
Martin Hattrell, Dr Marco Liviero, Mrs Marta Luiz (Finance Director of the
Diocese), Mrs Flora Lyon, Rev Alexander Master, Mr Mike Pittendreigh (Assistant
Director of Education for the Diocese), Rev Stuart Seaton Canon Christopher
Tuckwell (Administrator of the Cathedral), Mr Stephen Withnell)</span>, I would be feeling mightily uncomfortable
about this whole affair.
<br />
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">As a Governor, I would be especially perturbed if,
knowing the content of the “Strengthening the Choir” document, the Chairman (Mr
David Heminway) sent his letter out in our, the other Governors’, name, drafted
in the manner it was. Indeed, I would
want to disown it, publicly. </span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Indeed, I
may be under a legal duty that would COMPEL me to set the record straight. And if the "Strengthening the Choir" document
is itself is seriously flawed, I certainly would not want ANYTHING to do with that
document, as it may have ACTIVELY misled the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster,
chorister parents, the Cathedral Music Department, parishioners of the
Cathedral, and now even the wider public. </span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Governors are not normally personally liable, PROVIDED they have acted
reasonably, honestly and in good faith (</span><a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130104041041/http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/g/governors%20guide%20may%202012.pdf">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130104041041/http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/g/governors%20guide%20may%202012.pdf</a>):</div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>“Governing bodies are corporate bodies and,
because of this, individual governors are generally protected from personal
liability as a result of the governing body’s decisions and actions. Provided
they act honestly, reasonably and in good faith, any liability will fall on the
governing body even if it has exceeded its powers, rather than on individual
members.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>Individual governors have no power or right to
act on behalf of the governing body, except where the whole governing body has
delegated a specific function to that individual, or where regulations specify
that a function is to be exercised in a particular way. The governing body is
legally liable for all actions taken in its name by individuals or committees
to which it has delegated functions. The governing body should therefore ensure
that decisions to delegate specific responsibilities are properly minuted and
recorded.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This raises two obvious questions (among many
others):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">1. Was the Strengthening the Choir document settled,
and circulated to the Cardinal and others, by the Board of Governors
collectively? Or was it on the say so of the Chairman alone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">2. Was the Chairman’s the letter to parents
dated 28 March 2019 settled and circulated by the Board of Governors
collectively? Or was it sent by the Chairman acting alone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Again, I call upon the Head Master, Chairman
of the Board of Governors, and the Cardinal’s office, to release the "Strengthening
the Choir" document <i>without delay</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Another document which it is now essential to
be disclosed is the “instrument of government” (which will probably also have appended
to it the crucial 1997 Trust Deed). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">“</span>The instrument of government is the document
that records the name of the school and the constitution of its governing body.
The governing body drafts the instrument and submits it to the LA. The LA must
check if the draft instrument complies with the statutory requirements,
including the relevant guiding principles for the constitution of governing
bodies. If the instrument complies with the legal requirements, the LA will
make the instrument. The governing body and LA can review and change the
instrument at any time. Before the governing body submits the draft instrument
to the LA, it has to be approved by the foundation governors and, where
relevant, any trustees and/or the appropriate religious body.” </i>(same ref as above)</div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">All of this will be relevant to any legal proceedings
that are brought seeking to impugn the legality of the Cardinal’s decision, and
all the intermediate decisions taken by the Board of Governors (or individual governors
without the Board’s approval, as the case may be).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 3</b></span><br />
<br />
While conducting further research online, I have managed to unearth what I THINK might be the document that supplies the figure for "8+" boarding referred to in the Chairman's letter of 28 March 2019: a document found on the website of the Independent School's Council.</div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y_ssuf3DzU5_AuYdey-sKZNXQdKJv_BlQELsXMlD7RS4yisYfta0e0FemshZ8lTv4JCjVAKnabhG_Cdb4eXIsCUkgnb2MIPIiLR2m_TFYYPwmUXTeVbt47JlDZZuwYyZm5y9abuiqfgn/s1600/34.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1319" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y_ssuf3DzU5_AuYdey-sKZNXQdKJv_BlQELsXMlD7RS4yisYfta0e0FemshZ8lTv4JCjVAKnabhG_Cdb4eXIsCUkgnb2MIPIiLR2m_TFYYPwmUXTeVbt47JlDZZuwYyZm5y9abuiqfgn/s320/34.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now they seem to publish census data for
independent schools. The latest census is for 2019. However you can download
previous years too:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtnrbuAxhyuKVUmoYEM65GXeP_P4aTa7FXErqWbOU5ZV4xyIrX98cGMjJ8YA5ZXVBW0yiaUxK4g7VQcAigpHddU71roKmxd6HH1tmKmT7MLB27Jx-QmJcBDrEc0qo3MLo6553-1p3_bRz/s1600/35.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1324" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtnrbuAxhyuKVUmoYEM65GXeP_P4aTa7FXErqWbOU5ZV4xyIrX98cGMjJ8YA5ZXVBW0yiaUxK4g7VQcAigpHddU71roKmxd6HH1tmKmT7MLB27Jx-QmJcBDrEc0qo3MLo6553-1p3_bRz/s320/35.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
Now I couldn't see the Chairman's figures in the 2019 census. But go to the 2018 census, which can be downloaded here: https://www.isc.co.uk/media/4890/isc_census_2018_report.pdf<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
Here we see the Chairman's figure of 342 for "8+" boarders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAybw23EUOWeQk_LSrdjrD6ZPJaSH64ByD4aH1FW8y5JqrbkphzzzSOCL3mgGm3fc8nnD43fyCMsD_-kCZBqu7fnbtV8ghZjc9Xv3Uz8jMl-s3FiNMFGNEoAtfmMIb9xXlJgRS9Rh5ST8Z/s1600/36.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1157" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAybw23EUOWeQk_LSrdjrD6ZPJaSH64ByD4aH1FW8y5JqrbkphzzzSOCL3mgGm3fc8nnD43fyCMsD_-kCZBqu7fnbtV8ghZjc9Xv3Uz8jMl-s3FiNMFGNEoAtfmMIb9xXlJgRS9Rh5ST8Z/s320/36.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">However, AS I SUSPECTED, the numbers rise
drastically the older the boys get. In other words, it is highly misleading to
have expressed the letter in the manner the Chairman did, without citing the
source or context of the figure of 342. We know, AS A FACT, now that actually
large numbers of boys still full board, but the fashion seems to be to ease or
transition into this arrangement. I
cannot see in this census report the "around 2,500" figure cited by
the Chairman as the figure for 8+ boarders in 1976. The source of that
statistic still eludes me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
O dear, can you remind me what a Governor's
duty is?</div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 4</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Having mulled over this some more last night,
what I would also like to know more about is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">1. the process by which the Governors were
briefed about the Changes; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">2. the attendance at governing body and
committee meetings over the last academic year. This information ought to be
published, and if not published, then provided when requested [see below]. I
now request this information to be provided by the Board of Governors as soon
as reasonably practicable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">3. the structure and remit of the governing
body and any committees, and the full names of the chair of each.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Why is this important? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
1. This is important because we need to know
what role the Governors had in making the Recommended changes to the Cardinal.
The assumption so far has been that, exercising their role as the people who
oversee the governance of the School, the Governors were highly involved in the
briefing of the Cardinal about the Changes, however, this assumption needs
testing. It may well be the case that the Governors themselves (or the majority
of them) were briefed by the same document as the Cardinal - i.e. the
"Strengthening the Chorister Tradition" document. Again, if this
document is seriously flawed, or even manifestly misleading, then any decision
taken by the Governors in reliance on this document may be able to be impugned (and
the Governors may actually have a duty, legal or moral, to revisit their
decision). </div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">2. This important because it will show which
Governors attended which meetings, and if any Governors have not been attending
meetings regularly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3. This is important so that we can see which committees were involved
in the decision making process. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>"Publication of governors’ details and the
register of interests<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Governors hold an important public office
and their identity should be known to their </span>school and wider communities. In the interests
of transparency, a governing body should publish on its website up-to-date
details of its governance arrangements in a readily accessible form. This should include:</i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><b><span lang="EN-GB">• the structure and remit of the governing
body and any committees, and the full </span>names of the chair of each;</b></i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>• for each governor who has served at any
point over the past 12 months:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">• their full names, date of appointment, term
of office, date they stepped </span>down (where applicable), who appointed them
(in accordance with the governing body’s instrument of government),</i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>• relevant business and pecuniary interests
(as recorded in the register of<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>interests) including:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>• governance roles in other educational institutions;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">• any material interests arising from
relationships between governors </span>or relationships between governors and school
staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives); and</i></div>
<div class="Normal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><b>• their attendance record at governing body
and committee meetings over the </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>last academic year.</b>" (emphasis added) </span></i><span lang="EN-GB">(</span><a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130104041041/http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/g/governors%20guide%20may%202012.pdf">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130104041041/http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/g/governors%20guide%20may%202012.pdf</a>):</div>
<div class="Normal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 5</b></span><br />
<br />
The things you learn! Apparently, the current Deputy Head (Academic) Head of Boarding & Music, of the WCCS, Mr Nicholas Morrell was a chorister at the Cathedral under James O'Donnell, appearing on the <i><b>Gramophone award winning</b></i> recording of the <a href="https://www.discogs.com/pt_BR/Frank-Martin-3-Ildebrando-Pizzetti-Westminster-Cathedral-Choir-James-ODonnell-Mass-For-Double-Choir-/release/6218681" target="_blank">Martin Mass and Pizzetti Requiem</a> in 1998, as well as a recording of the <a href="https://www.discogs.com/pt_BR/Jan%C3%A1%C4%8Dek-Kod%C3%A1ly-Westminster-Cathedral-Choir-James-ODonnell-Mass-In-E-Flat-Missa-Brevis-Laudes-Orga/release/6220007" target="_blank">Janáček and Kodály Masses</a>.<br />
<br />
He should know above all others how important it is to maintain the Westminster Cathedral Choir as a world class choir, and surely heed the advice of the experts regarding this whole boarding hoo-ha.<br />
<br />
Can he please tell his boss to keep his hands off the choir!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw2HffIl9NHqP8WhTvjfS_5ayPKCg6Oktj9Evg3xxqKMcweoQ1HVtiR5x0YyONn9sJhYkmOiwg4QKReTbOYFzjLmLPeD5WRc0KjzCCUG6O3Jl3GlNy_0nxHmwGxO_a4qmesFWTI8ETnX2/s1600/45.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="753" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw2HffIl9NHqP8WhTvjfS_5ayPKCg6Oktj9Evg3xxqKMcweoQ1HVtiR5x0YyONn9sJhYkmOiwg4QKReTbOYFzjLmLPeD5WRc0KjzCCUG6O3Jl3GlNy_0nxHmwGxO_a4qmesFWTI8ETnX2/s320/45.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Head Master's boarding changes will make it increasing unlikely that Westminster Cathedral Choir will make recordings for top labels, let alone award-winning ones. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oy6y0krgCMs" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 6</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Since Tuesday 16 July 2019, I have sent a
number of emails to the Cardinal’s Office, Head Master, and Governors, requesting
the document “Strengthening the Chorister Tradition for 2019 and Beyond” (amongst
other documents and particulars). Apart
from an email from the Cardinal’s PA sent first thing on Wednesday morning attaching
the stock “Account of the Current Situation”, I have received no other (let alone
any other substantive) reply. I set 5 pm
today (Fri 19 July 2019) as the cut-off to provide the “Strengthening the Chorister
Tradition” document for publication, following which it would fair and
reasonable to draw the inferences that so readily present themselves from the
facts available (according to my extensive research) and logic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Remember the basic principle: if the “Strengthening
the Chorister Tradition for 2019 and Beyond” is a fair and honest document, then
the Head Master and others would have no issue in releasing it for scrutiny. Nor, if a fair procedure was undertaken, would
they object to explaining how it was prepared, circulated, debated, objected
to, amended and ultimately accepted by the Cardinal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">That time having now passed, the below tables
set out various assumptions underlying the Strengthening the Chorister Tradition
document, the Chairman’s letter dated 28 March 2019, and the Account dated 17
July 2019, and the inferences that we are all entitled to draw from the facts
we know. These are not exhaustive mind you, but some of the more obvious points to put across in the short time I have available. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
And I'm willing to bet that the "Strengthening the Chorister Tradition” document is replete with misleading information, or information which is expressed in a misleading way/style. In fact, I'm fairly sure that very little in the document would be fairly and objectively expressed, and instead it will all be massaged so as to support the conclusion that the author wants: full boarding is bad and must be stopped. Sad on so many levels. If I'm wrong, of course, I will eat the humblest of humble pies, issue a thousand mea culpas, and prostrate myself before those concerned, apologising profusely. In which case, all they need to do is release the document publicly. They haven't, and won't, <i>and we all know why</i>. </div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<b><u>Table A</u></b></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Issue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Assumption<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who authored the Strengthening the Chorister
Tradition for 2019 and Beyond document?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume was authored by the Head Master / Senior
Management of the Choir School<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who settled the Strengthening the Chorister
Tradition for 2019 and Beyond document?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume the Head Master <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">To whom was the Strengthening the Chorister
Tradition for 2019 document circulated?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume the document was initially circulated
to interested parties, including the Music Department, and any relevant
committees of the Board of Governors of the School. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Any Governors to whom this document was sent
made minor, if any, comments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume the Music Department gave significant
feedback. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume it was eventually circulated to the
Cardinal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Would changes have been made to the document
between it first being circulated by the Head Master and when it was sent to
the Cardinal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume minor, if any changes, were been made
to the document before it was sent to the Cardinal, despite any feedback received. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Would changes have been made to the document
between it being sent to the Cardinal and it’s recommendations being agreed
to by the Cardinal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume no, despite any feedback given. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who authored the Chairman’s letter dated 28
March 2019?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume it was the Head Master. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If it was the Chairman whose name is put to
it, then I assume the Chairman had not read the Strengthening the Chorister Tradition
document (if the inferences I draw about what that document must say are
true). This would of course be quite
troubling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Chairman has certainly TAKEN OWNERSHIP
of the document and its Recommendations on behalf of the Board of Governors collectively,
as in his letter dated 28 March 2019 he says that the Cardinal communicated
his decision to agree to the <i>Governing
Body’s</i> recommendations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 348.95pt;" valign="top" width="352"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who authored the Account?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 349.0pt;" valign="top" width="354"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Assume it was the Head Master. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b><u>Table B</u></b></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB"> </span> </div>
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">A. Issue
/ Claims made in the Chairman Mr David Heminway’s Letter of 28 March 2019 /
the Account dated 17 July 2019 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">B. Inference
made about what the Strengthening the Chorister Tradition (“Report”) document
says about this Issue / Claim<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.45pt;" valign="top" width="232"><div class="Normal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">C. If
the inference made in B is ultimately true, how honest are the Claims made by
the Chairman in column A, and how honest are the data in the Report written
by the Head Master?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="Normal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-GB">All</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB"> the major choir schools in England, <b><u>including</u></b> those of the Oxbridge colleges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is an <i>inherent unlikelihood</i> that all the major choir schools in
England, including those of the Oxbridge colleges were consulted. Thus, there
is chance that this claim is actually a complete fabrication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Even if this <i>is</i> true, only selective parts of this consultation will have been
produced in the Report. I.e. only those
schools which have the boarding arrangements <i>least like</i> Westminster Cathedral will be included. Even in this
(I imagine short) list, I’m sure will be schools that still have 24/7 boarding
for the older choristers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Inference: a fair assessment of equivalent choir
schools was not given. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.45pt;" valign="top" width="232"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Highly misleading (unlikely to be true). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In 1976, the number of boys boarding 8+ was
2,500. Today, the number of boys boarding 8+ is 342. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Based on the research I’ve done, the figure
of 342 relates the number of boarders in 2018 who were aged 8 (boys boarding
8+ is an ambiguous phrase). The Letter
does not set out the context of that figure (i.e. the number shoots up as the
age increases). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I suspect the Report might give the source
of the 342 figure, but will not set out the context of the figure in the body
of the Report because this would run counter to the position they are trying
to prove. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I couldn’t find a source for the 1976 figure
quoted, and I doubt the Report cites a source. We don’t therefore know of its
accuracy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.45pt;" valign="top" width="232"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Misleading (out of context and our unsourced
statistics). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In the last 5 years, the number of families
approaching the school for voice trials had more than halved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Use of the word “families” slightly odd and
not explained, and actual figures not give.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Inference is that the 2018 figure is half of
what it was in 2013, but there were fluctuations in between. Only in the last year or so have the numbers
dived. So it’s not necessarily a pattern, but simply a particularly bad year
or so for recruitment (for which the School is responsible). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.45pt;" valign="top" width="232"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Misleading (in expression and lack of
figures) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Non-joiner families were consulted, as were <i>current </i>chorister parents. And the result of that shows that full
boarding is the cause of the recruitment malaise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.5pt;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The adjective <i>current </i>was only used in relation to chorister parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Likely therefore that the numbers are
stacked – i.e. the school has gone back several years to find non-joiner parents
to speak to them vs only speaking to current chorister parents. That is unfair in that you are using
feedback from parents from good recruitment year X to prove that this is an
issue in (and reason for) bad recruitment year Y. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Likely that any questionnaire would have specifically
asked about Boarding in a way that is likely to draw a negative response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In any event, likely that the responses
actually disclose that in many cases either they were not offered a place, or
there were other dominant reasons for not taking up a place at the WCCS (even
if boarding did figure in their deliberations). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Therefore, the inference is that, for the
bad recruitment year just past, full boarding probably did not feature that
heavily in the decision of any parent not to send their son for a voice
trial, or not to accept a place as a chorister there. It may have been ONE factor (even THE factor)
for SOME parents, but this is likely grossly exaggerated in the Report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt 4.3pt; width: 232.45pt;" valign="top" width="232"><div class="Normal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Highly misleading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 7</b></span><br />
<br />
In the interests of full transparency, I publish and email I sent to the Independent Schools Inspectorate regarding the November 2018 report on Westminster Cathedral Choir School. I have excluded my name. My identity is, however, known to the Cardinal's Office, School and Board of Governors from my email correspondence with them:<br />
<br />
+++++++++++<br />
<br />
<b><u>My email</u></b><br />
<br />
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Dear Sir/Madam,</div>
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I would be grateful if you were to assist me with the following queries in relation to the ISI reports for Westminster Cathedral Choir School.</div>
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I note there are 3 reports available on the ISI website, from 2012, 2015, and 2018 (as per Screenshot 1 below). </div>
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The 2015 report has a table setting out the results of a questionnaire completed by the pupils, including the boarders. See Screenshot 2 below. </div>
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The 2018 report does not contain a similar questionnaire. However, could you please let me know if the same or a similar questionnaire was carried out in order to prepare the 2018 report? If so, is it possible to be provided with the results of this please (specifically as it relates to boarders)?</div>
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Do let me know if you require any further information in relation to this request. </div>
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Kind regards,</div>
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[**]</div>
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<b>Screenshot 1</b></div>
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<img alt="Inline image" class="yiv6099137054yahoo-inline-image" src="https://dl-mail.ymail.com/ws/download/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-fq5Ph6tXRc7OZosj8hk7E4nXdi-HPMuMq8Rv3g8FMDuJrobeIPuzWXtXP_oj6t9RUWhjIv2uHVC2R0Wv8Q9VgQ/messages/@.id==AB8ZZCRFDarmXTGkHwDS8L6pLrs/content/parts/@.id==2/raw?appid=YMailNorrin&ymreqid=99e0ed97-c90d-1ed0-1cd9-49000501f200&token=zitEzqOML3j84e6ealFTT5U7-km5qEQF52lp7AcCuBY81GQXNEV8AVSC73kbrmDn3NNneKgTaegScNEYo6gzG-ZCLBM9MpRX98p8GJadvzeldJA8i3vzfiNePJFcLA02" style="max-width: 671px; width: 671px;" title="Inline image" /></div>
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<b>Screenshot 2</b></div>
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<b><u>ISI Reply</u></b><br />
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Dear [**],</div>
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Thank you for your email. Parent and pupil questionnaires are a part of all routine ISI inspections. The responses are utilized by the inspectors to inform the finding of the final report.</div>
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We are unable to provide a breakdown of the 2018 questionnaire findings, however <u>we can confirm that questionnaires were undertaken and formed part of the evidence for the findings reflected in the 2018 report on the ISI website.</u></div>
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With best wishes,</div>
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The Delivery Team</div>
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Independent Schools Inspectorate.</div>
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++++++++++<br />
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So you can see that the boarders who gave feedback for the 2015 report were very happy with the boarding, with the exception of free time and activities in the evenings and at weekends.<br />
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We know, from the 2018 report, that the School implemented changes that resulted in full marks being awarded by the ISI in the 2018 report. And the ISI confirmed that questionnaires were undertaken to prepare the 2018 report. We can therefore make the safe assumption (albeit still an assumption) that the responses by the boarders in relation to the 2018 questionnaire were as good as, probably better than, the 2015 responses.<br />
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I have outstanding enquiries with various other bodies in relation to Westminster Cathedral Choir School.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Update 8</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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More needs to be looked into regarding the distinct possibility that abolition of boarding altogether in the next few years (itself likely to be brought about by financial considerations) are at the heart of this whole affair, rather than anything to do with recruitment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to be absolute clear about this update. We are not in any position to be able to make any independent inferences for the time being on the basis of the following information. This information is outlined for the sole purposes of challenging the assumption that there MUST be other reasons for the change in chorister boarding policy, other than those proferred by the Choir School Senior Management, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and ultimately the Cardinal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We know the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Sometime in the three years or so up to 2017, the Westminster Diocese Trust (remember, which controls the charity which runs the Choir School) purchased the property known as The Friary, 47 Francis Street London SW1P 1QR in order to allow Westminster Cathedral Choir School to operate a pre-prep school (which opened in 2017). <o:p></o:p></div>
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See the <a href="http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends99/0000233699_AC_20171231_E_C.PDF">Westminster Diocese Trust 2017 annual report</a>, page 44, 77, 83 and 88:<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. The total cost of the purchase of the freehold and all refurbishments was £10 million, financed by a loan from HSBC. The Trust and School then entered into a lease agreement by which the School would pay agreed amounts at agreed intervals (see above and also the <a href="http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001063761_AC_20170831_E_C.PDF">School's Annual Report of 2017</a>, page 28):<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. I assume that the agreed amounts are ordinary rental for the property + an amount to contribute to the drawing down of the loan/interest that the Trust took out to finance the purchase of the Friary and its refurbishment. Either way, it's a significant liability to take on - the loan is for a term of 30 years, and the rental payments would presumably last this long and longer (for as long as the <i>School</i> used that space, whether as a pre-prep or for some other purpose) [update: see below]. This is recognised in the 2017 Annual Report, page 7:<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. What the above also tells us is that there IS IN FACT (as I suspected) a 10 year business plan in place, which I am sure will detail any plans to abolish boarding at the School, convert boarding accommodation into more classrooms, and increase the number of day-students (whose termly fees are almost double that of the choristers). I call upon the Finance Committee (I assume this is a committee of the Governing Body) and the Trustees of the Westminster Diocese Trust to release this business plan, or otherwise confirm it says what it has been assumed to say. <o:p></o:p></div>
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5. The term of the lease between the School and Trust is 30 years (exactly the same term of the HSBC Loan), and the lease payments seem to be structured in a similar way to the loan repayments. See page 27 of the School's 2018 Annual Report (which also shows that there was an amendment to the lease between the School and trust in December 2018). The re is a reduced rent in place for the first 3 years. Conversely, the rent increases after three years (i.e. from 2020). <o:p></o:p></div>
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6. In terms of the timing, I wonder if it is a coincidence that in December 2018, when the amendments to the Lease Agreement between School and Westminster Diocese Trust were being agreed, that is exactly when the consultation for the changes to the boarding at the Choir School were apparently commencing (i.e. 4 months before March 2019 when the changes were announced)?<o:p></o:p></div>
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7. Some other useful background to the sale of The Friary to the Trust can be sourced from <a href="https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02694041/filing-history">Companies House</a>. This is because the freehold in The Friary was previously held by <a href="https://www.thetablet.co.uk/columnists/3/15026/christopher-howse-on-the-fascinating-friary-in-westminster-that-has-become-a-pre-prep-for-the-cathedral-choir-school">an advertising company called Sheppard Day Ltd</a>. This was liquidated in August 2017, but its financial woes began in 2013 with the appointment of a voluntary liquidator. At this time, the directors issued a <a href="https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/avcF-x7OoW5gVdWy55PDL9XFNlQbltpGVpvGwBO1JaA/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3MR72PCHS%2F20190722%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20190722T134527Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=AgoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEFQaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJGMEQCIGj7rmTh4QGebLpKKts%2FUxQ%2Ft514uZNXDpM0lZDiOrcqAiAvpacILP1lQU2ZqtrKQPHEYOKsuzhpZmdihLXruW%2ByyirjAwi9%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F8BEAEaDDQ0OTIyOTAzMjgyMiIM9%2BhHK4R4hVH1b1aAKrcD9N4uJjtxGApdjHKf6JkZajUri7TXPAVxXrM3BFKJyLh%2B%2BxzjTYjsTCQyfNqGPNDpwAhTsNOlfAVel4BVfwZG3nVXfTi%2FQYXvpjNFxj%2BWDeU%2FM%2BS79KJemezxYNrQ%2BYYNGcMIOOuiPaP%2FeKdVZnqmeMlO%2FDRj9fuIN7G5GNGHDOuZNR06OW9EVrGnQ6%2Ba%2FtaPByWxJ9paxBGp%2FO5WvkA4UDBOuC3nEykBrMI3h%2FbGhV19ZZRlqjdN8O%2F57qTtWCOYgzfoEr6SLFge8qN3SKMrwbAM0mAErzLM1eUxjRBamMEYsTxPhfg6TQPWd7ftZYUog6kzkUKp%2FaMma3YF0CiVB%2B%2FwTmo9tkuvVArQVZXPcKVsT%2FA6GwgtXhHnud0eIgfzuTU7JER9HJPZE4ts1Qv8MeQwQqTDrBCbF2EnEvRoXs7tRDa6l0U4U7MRhrycDbzySGMz4OxOwc74gXPl1bVVz%2FjjJDy%2F7TJpl03h74PpWqCSVEFaMsmw2z8XLFa3OnYXB8nFHjV3SBBRNp%2FoHfF4FPX2JVUgtk%2FVasyG61f1m7B95mGPHzA4nGiV4nFekc%2BQE5xCDoff6zDkx9bpBTq1AX75sohpGIRu4mXr3IJBhiEEFIWcrmjEwazsXGCZbSIRAmpCgOENJ64723Rt6s1LdjRRar1d5Xu8ht87xeYcvrwfeg9Nz47nvLkcbVv6dBPpRs%2FCEamLzTI%2BIfEifwUtYzaxVNij%2Bq7ojp2N5btgYLpT2DzWJT78nGdcBt0vNAwmn9vjI0vx7PhjhmAwwJUud9tHqCN7ZSiv7g%2BwRa1UUOEjlIVfdtOvvaANQPAiz58MsDNBJyQ%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=8414adfde23a28ba0b301f509a1e25ccfdcb33beb4b9eeb89a4c54cfa0eb9b44">declaration of solvency</a>, listing as one of its assets "freehold property" valued at £2.5 million:<o:p></o:p></div>
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On 10 February 2017, the liquidator issued its <a href="https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/9HHWF6IXEA-mAbQINdSvWEFNYcdCvaVMX7dIun2EvfA/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3MNMNLTSH%2F20190722%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20190722T113624Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=AgoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEE4aCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJHMEUCIHUwc%2BBOZ0RVtrpiFOWZk2tDUm8cUMdDzG5fc9f%2FRZM2AiEArjKN5vnwwQO%2FhVE3%2FNXcYoOS4s%2Fs9Fh7R9KCEA5IrQwq4wMIt%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARABGgw0NDkyMjkwMzI4MjIiDBZEyL6ce4vowEFPZyq3A%2BUjVdWrqK3mU06wycZvlqT5eXiILe1h7nLbHjjxoZMrstYMzh2mCoDb0t4ifWtQkUPD5XPtQoP9EajbrF8fUON0r8LQDqXFIx6rwkEoI3auFluJNb8uEe6oGbc9p0Z81Xo3Q6HI5hZUzF6Y4xasbA%2F1P3X0lJXZxKUXVPfJPiuFne2IA20T%2FzMBZc%2FkAQaPpzQWrkzLLBHPqgE%2Bx6ZB4ZdECKsVUqY1WFywwIZomr3QnVY6UsG%2FgbSp6CxoVAbOt5%2F%2BzeKMuQS518nY5TgFtUQ6y6KZOYOVRg%2BVXLYCIBCrtxJTJH59HPqxDbKBozlCQznjGfzxZJDDqGw4vOnNBCni9xfAbIeHd3J5A19llZv6cK8e4GBq98RSKlxS1a2rP8tUE%2BoXN%2Bzsb3wU8yaAS%2BlCZjVAelRUna3J2Wzxnhp4SgXDxilNGbPv%2BPJNY5GHCHgkF624kthm4oxej5fPazxzbC9DztLcezSwBZcbTRrNbqx1Vxm4eHHYf1tP0wVh844GTQC0NA7ybA76iRvctVJA5RZp%2Bl2yFTnpOwbn0FD6z4l5qM07u1ZbbNLXuNs9nzGArfpUVG4whJ%2FV6QU6tAFKggGl06ajWg5LjR8DsmBdzapSO6YAajFrBCUOnw%2Frg4mQE64KBOq25%2BbQnon55whceAW9klJZNBJEVnt5ylHfx9sB%2BfDg0KkQGCa4MbisZsVUdai0TkWZHwKnfZj0gY%2B%2FItrQlfUVGMJozTK6g8H5f%2Bekck2u8DrnUbsLdV37wJvWdUNGL48bZfiOwz9ZmhSlaf2R%2BJPef7PpmfnSX84bOjmCKhkzRVEOVN5yx5V9h2f4Nic%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=383953530985b3b96d3e8aedb31a1ecd1dde9418ddfea9b1aafcdd81fb1192db">Final Report to Creditors</a> which shows that The Friary was not realised (sold) as part of the liquidation, but rather on 30 July 2013 "distributed in specie" to members (i.e. the rights in the property itself were divided between members / shareholders according to their due rather than it being sold and the cash so distributed).<o:p></o:p></div>
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So we now also know that, some time between 30 July 2013 when The Friary ownership of the Friary was transferred from the company Sheppard Day Ltd to its members, and around March 2016 when the Westminster Diocese Trust took out the HSBC loan, The Friary was sold to the Trust. In 3 years, let us say that the value of the property has increased to £3,000,000. IF that is correct, THEN it means that the school spent £7 million on refurbishing the property for the pre- prep school.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<i>[Update 26 July 2019: I have information that The Friary was purchased on or about 31 March 2016 for the sum of £8.25 million. That means that £1.75 million was (initially) spent refurbishing the Friary for use as the pre-prep school, and the Trust's accounts show that a further £500,000 was spent (and reflected in changes to the Lease agreement with the School in December 2018). The background of the valuation of the Friary (at £2.5 million) in July 2013 in the declaration of solvency of the directors of the previous owner of the Friary (Sheppard Day Ltd) would be good to know. This is because, if it was accurate as at 2013, then the building increased in value (by nearly £6 million) in less than 3 years. We also know that the property last sold in 1997 for £950,000:</i><br />
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<i>According to a rough and ready House Price Index calculator (you'll see from the title it refers to house prices as opposed to commercial properties, however in 1997 the property was classified as "semi-detached" and in 2016 was described as "other" - the significance of which is unknown) - in July 2013 the estimated value of the property (based on its 1997 value) might have been as follows:</i><br />
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<i>This is more than the £2.5 million the property was said to be valued at in July 2013 declaration of solvency by the Sheppard Day directors. In March 2016, based on the 1997 price, the Friary (according to this index) might have been worth:</i></div>
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<i>This is considerably less that the £8.25 million paid, however this is only according to what (I repeat) is a rough and ready guidance calculator only.]</i><br />
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And so the story continues.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update 9</b></span><br />
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As if we were not already sure, here is another nail in the coffin, so to speak, of the Westmintser Cathedral Choir School's flimsy excuses regarding boarding being on the wane. Over at St Paul's Cathedral School a short distance away in the City of London (I wonder if that was one of the school's they "consulted"), we have BREAKING NEWS that they are, as of Summer 2019, wait for it ... BUILDING NEW BOARDING ACCOMMODATION for their choristers, SUCH IS THE DEMAND FOR BOARDING! [FYI - they also have 200 odd day pupils]. <br />
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How refreshing it is to see the Dean of St Paul's (who is also the Chair of Governors) and the Head Master actually supporting the Cathedral Choir! And do<br />
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Incidentally, if you want to know what company Westminster Cathedral Choir keeps, well it regular has joint Vespers / evensong with Westminster Abbey Choir and St Paul's Cathedral Choir. <br />
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As I say, as if we didn't already know it, the Westminster Cathedral Choir School's claim that they are reducing boarding because it is unpopular (and that standards can be maintained with less boarding) is, how do the English like to put it, hogwash? Codswallop? Terrible tosh?<br />
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-10423265235181877412019-03-02T02:12:00.001+00:002019-03-02T02:12:53.615+00:00What a bitter agonyI share this video as a reminder of how Cardinal Pell is remembered by a great many people, quite at odds with how he is being portrayed by a large section of society at present.<br />
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As a member of the legal profession, I have grave reservations about the verdict and the way that it was arrived at (people far more esteemed than me have also had the courage to speak out). I accept the verdict as it stands for the time being, but I also expect a robust examination of the case on appeal. <br />
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I may be criticised for sharing this video at this time, in the precise circumstances in which we find ourselves. Some may wish it to be removed. So be it. This video is a matter of record. Cardinal Pell's kindness and generosity are a matter of record.<br />
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I have solidarity with victims of child sexual abuse. But seeing a man hang on tenuous evidence (if that is what an appeal court finds happened here) will be cold comfort to victims, and to all beings with an ounce of humanity and rational thought inside them.<br />
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-23226526568274730612018-06-05T19:41:00.000+01:002018-06-05T20:42:32.706+01:00King's College Cambridge Appoints New Director of MusicDaniel Hyde will from Michaelmas term in 2019 be the Director of Music of what is probably the best known English choir in the world: that of King's College in Cambridge.<br />
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In November 2015, the author of this blog paid a visit to Magdalen College, Oxford, where Mr Hyde was the incumbent, shortly before his move to the Big Apple.<br />
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At the time, I <a href="http://acolytestale.blogspot.com/2015/11/all-souls-eve-at-magdalen-college.html" target="_blank">posted</a> part of the Faure Requiem sung by the choir for All Souls' Eve, noting that <i>"The choir was in good voice, producing a very natural sound not too dissimilar to that cultivated by George Guest when director at St John's College at The Other Place."</i><br />
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By the choir, I was referring particularly to the trebles. Since his appointment to King's, the media has taken an interest in something Mr Hyde was quoted as saying in the New York Times almost exactly a year after my blog post (Nov 2016), Mr Hyde having now been appointed St Thomas' Fifth Avenue. From the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/arts/music/the-new-wizard-teaching-at-the-hogwarts-for-choir.html" target="_blank">relevant article</a>:<br />
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<i>"During his time at Cambridge, he said, he sometimes found the King’s College Choir stifled by the weight that rested on such a storied ensemble, its work familiar to millions through annual Christmas radio broadcasts. He found himself attracted to the choir of St. John’s, a neighboring college. </i></blockquote>
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<i>“It wasn’t just the buildings,” he said of the difference in sound between the two choirs. “I think there was a freedom of expression at St. John’s because there wasn’t the pressure of expectation. So I tried to soak both those things up, and wherever I’ve gone since I’ve tried to mix that detail and accuracy of King’s with that more open-throated, expressive, musically phrased singing of John’s."</i></blockquote>
So I wasn't making it up! He is going for the John's sound. In my opinion, it's a slightly older John's sound, which is not necessarily a bad thing (the current sound is magnificent, but in a different way).<br />
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The one comment I would make is that I'm not so sure that John's didn't also have the "pressure of expectation". Other English Cathedral and College choirs have had prolific recording and performance programmes over the last 50 years, but perhaps none so much as St John's College Cambridge (not even the Abbey, New College, Christ Church or Winchester). It had recording contracts with many of the biggest labels (including Decca and EMI). So Hyde's explanation for John's different, more liberated style of singing is perhaps a little overstated.<br />
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Elsewhere, Hyde has spoken of how King's has not always sounded so clipped. Personally, I consider that the King's sound has changed quite a lot between directors of music, and even during their own tenure. For instance, Sir David Willcocks often had the choir sounding a little hooty, but on other recordings fulsome and continental. His recording in 1971 of the Palestrina Missa Papae Marcelli and Missa Brevis remains, for me, one of the very best.<br />
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Hear for yourself again the beautifully natural sound Magdalen College were producing under Hyde in late 2015, perhaps a good indication of the sound-world to which the new King's maestro will want to take his new choir:<br />
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I wish Mr Hyde the very best in his new position, and look forward to many years of glorious singing from the Choir of King's College.<br />
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-74209952215982296002018-05-19T18:06:00.002+01:002018-05-19T18:08:36.661+01:00Music from the Royal NuptialsThe Choir of The Queen's Free Chapel of St George, Windsor Castle, was in sublime form for The Wedding. Below, listen to them sing If Ye Love Me by Tallis, and Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer with a stonking descant written by the Director of Music, James Vivian, and brilliant organ accompaniment. Thanks to Sky News for that bit of truly important information. I watched the BBC broadcast live and no mention there of the descant ... it really was a woeful performance by the BBC (granted, ITV were worse). Instead, the BBC gave us all sorts of other information: And that lady in green is HM The Queen (gosh, really?) And she was wearing stockings designed by X. I ask you, inanity taken to absurd levels.<br />
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The Bride impressed greatly with her respect for the choir - she took the time to look sideways at the choir when they were singing. What beautiful manners.<br />
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"Let the hymn guide me..." - listen to the choir sing 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer' at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/royalwedding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#royalwedding</a> <a href="https://t.co/a0OsC0xbni">pic.twitter.com/a0OsC0xbni</a></div>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-6061445179185854932018-03-04T19:12:00.001+00:002018-03-04T19:12:42.217+00:00And finally, Lassus, Victoria & Palestrina from King's College, CambridgeI was privileged to attend this broadcast ... opportunities to see Cleobury in action in such situations will diminish, as he has announced his retirement, to take effect next year.<br />
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<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09rzn0l" target="_blank">At last week's evensong</a>, we heard an extract from a setting of the Stabat Mater of Lassus, Palestrina's glorious setting of the same work, and settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by T.L. de Victoria.<br />
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-77115884062629267022018-03-04T19:03:00.001+00:002018-03-04T19:04:48.046+00:00Ash Wednesday Evensong from Oxon. (New College) Allegri's Miserere (with trebles dynamically improvising in place of the usual static run of "high Cs" - though we do get some of these as well, even two at once) at the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09r4gqf" target="_blank">Ash Wednesday Evensong from New College, Oxford</a> under Quinney. My word the men sing the chant parts superbly. And here is a clip of Palestrina's motet Peccantem me quotidie:<br />
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-71282702159852203892018-03-04T18:53:00.003+00:002018-03-04T18:53:25.694+00:00Sheppard from Oxon. (Magdalen)A clip from Evensong a few weeks ago, broadcast on BBC Radio 3 - John Sheppard's Gaude, Gaude, Gaude Maria.<br />
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-25735651703954294312018-03-04T18:37:00.000+00:002018-03-04T18:44:17.259+00:00Byrd 3 from Cantab. (John's)St John's College, Cambridge are not unique in making their sung services available as web-casts, but I have yet to find a college who makes it so easily accessible (and easy to skip to different parts of the service). Here the Gentlemen of the Choir beautifully sing the Byrd three part Mass, and Durufle's Ubi Caritas. <br />
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Of particular importance, we hear the polyphonic Credo and Sanctus - what a shame these are "forbidden" (or as good as) in the Roman Rite. <br />
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<a class="embedly-card" href="http://www.sjcchoir.co.uk/listen/webcasts/sung-eucharist-18-february-2018#sthash.JoG8g0vq.fnmz">Sung Eucharist - 18 February 2018 | The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge</a><script async="" charset="UTF-8" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js"></script>
Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-86944114795086141252017-10-27T23:53:00.003+01:002017-10-27T23:53:48.884+01:00Sistine Chapel Choir shines in new Christmas CDThe Sistine Screamers, as this choir had in recent decades (and not unfairly) been nicknamed, has been completely re-built and scarcely resembles its (recent) former self. It has now made a handful of recordings with the august Deutsche Grammophon, each release providing further evidence of this choir's total transformation from cacophonous rabble to an elegant, refined and homogeneous chorus angelorum, and it is well on the way to becoming a truly top-shelf liturgical choir (again), as one would expect of the pope's own choir! DoM, Monsignor Palombella explains, in the videos below, a bit about the choir's present day incarnation (for instance, the choir now employs professional men from around the globe, and the boys' singing schedule seems to be rigorous indeed). Added to which, the DoM seems to be in the habit of exploring the Vatican's musical archives for long forgotten manuscripts. How nice to see, also, that composers other than Palestrina (and Perosi) are now again given prominence by this choir. Wonderful indeed to hear. I'll certainly be hoping for this latest CD in my stocking!<br />
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-55401288869723969022017-09-17T11:33:00.002+01:002017-09-17T11:33:23.906+01:00Handel, Israel in Egypt from the Proms, 2017William Christie conducted a dazzling performance by the Choir and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (not his own Les Arts Florissants). Five starts without doubt.<br />
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I reviewed a performance by the Westminster Abbey Choir from last year. That was an underwhelming performance of this work if ever there was one. Christie, however, has the exact measure of this work, and what a delight it was to hear. You can do so yourself below.<br />
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-35799530854463510232017-09-09T15:50:00.001+01:002017-09-09T15:51:50.775+01:00New Westminster Cathedral Choir Recording: Sublimely Sung SheppardSomewhat tardily I draw your attention to <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dw.asp?dc=W15019_68187" target="_blank">a consummate recording of John Sheppard's Media Vita</a>. Also included are Gaude, gaude, gaude Maria and Missa Cantate. <br />
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The reviews universally, and accurately, rate this recording as exceptional in every respect (e.g. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiU6KzLq5jWAhXBAsAKHaCUD38QFggvMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gramophone.co.uk%2Freview%2Fsheppard-media-vita-missa-cantate&usg=AFQjCNECFwh7sT2HeYQIVSkS9DV7Ch5zcw" target="_blank">here</a>). </div>
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The only comment I shall add pertains to the recording venue: All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London rather than the Westminster Cathedral itself. Perhaps a first? </div>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-57960060752181410672017-09-09T15:19:00.001+01:002017-09-09T15:38:55.304+01:00Pontifex Maximus, Franciscus the benevolent, issues Magnum Principium, motu proprioThis is the key change (emphasis in the original):<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<i>"[From 1 October 2017] can. 838 will read as follows: </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>Can. 838 - §1. The ordering and guidance of the sacred liturgy depends solely upon the authority of the Church, namely, that of the Apostolic See and, as provided by law, that of the diocesan Bishop. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>§2. It is for the Apostolic See to order the sacred liturgy of the universal Church, publish liturgical books, <b>recognise adaptations approved by the Episcopal Conference according to the norm of law</b>, and exercise vigilance that liturgical regulations are observed faithfully everywhere. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>§3. It pertains to the Episcopal Conferences to <b>faithfully </b>prepare versions of the liturgical books in vernacular languages, suitably <b>accommodated</b> within defined limits, and <b>to approve</b> and <b>publish the liturgical books for the regions for which they are responsible after the confirmation of the Apostolic See</b>. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>§4. Within the limits of his competence, it belongs to the diocesan Bishop to lay down in the Church entrusted to his care, liturgical regulations which are binding on all."</i></blockquote>
The text leading up to the change in canon law is fairly generic fluff composed by a seasoned Vatican apparatchik, with sufficient ambiguity to allow one man to say "nothing to see here" and another to say "there is something rotten in the state of Denmark" (though the latter's hand is strengthened by the simple logic that there is little point in passing amended legislation if all was intended to remain as it was).<br />
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Over the course of time it will become apparent whether this surprising foray into matters liturgical by a pope whose own conduct seems to suggest he care little about such issues, is an example of his self professed pacifism, or a battle cry to bishops around the world to mangle and commit further acts of wanton vandalism on the liturgy of the Latin Church. In other words, whether this gesture which prima facie is innocuous, is abused to achieve ideological ends. Hmmm, when has that happened before?<br />
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There are two explanatory notes issued alongside Magnum Principium:<br />
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<a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Key%20to%20Reading%20Magnum%20Principium.pdf" target="_blank">Key to Reading Magnum Principium</a><br />
<a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Explanatory%20Canonical%20Note%20on%20Magnum%20Principium.pdf" target="_blank">Explanatory Canonical Note on Magnum Principium</a><br />
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The latter provides some interesting historical information about Sacram Liturgiam. I do so hope that scholars of history pore over this document to ensure its accuracy.<br />
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FULL TEXT FOLLOWS<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio of the supreme pontiff<br />
Franciscus </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p><i>Magnum Principium </i>by which can. 838 of the code of canon law
is modified </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>The great principle, established by the Second Vatican
Ecumenical Council, according to which liturgical prayer be accommodated to the
comprehension of the people so that it might be understood, required the
weighty task of introducing the vernacular language into the liturgy and of preparing
and approving the versions of the liturgical books, a charge that was entrusted
to the Bishops. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>The Latin Church was aware of the attendant sacrifice
involved in the partial loss of liturgical Latin, which had been in use
throughout the world over the course of centuries. However it willingly opened
the door so that these versions, as part of the rites themselves, might become
the voice of the Church celebrating the divine mysteries along with the Latin
language. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>At the same time, especially given the various clearly
expressed views of the Council Fathers with regard to the use of the vernacular
language in the liturgy, the Church was aware of the difficulties that might
present themselves in this regard. On the one hand it was necessary to unite the
good of the faithful of a given time and culture and their right to a conscious
and active participation in liturgical celebrations with the substantial unity
of the Roman Rite. On the other hand the vernacular languages themselves, often
only in a progressive manner, would be able to become liturgical languages,
standing out in a not dissimilar way to liturgical Latin for their elegance of
style and the profundity of their concepts with the aim of nourishing the
faith. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>This was the aim of various Liturgical Laws, Instructions,
Circular Letters, indications and confirmations of liturgical books in the
various vernacular languages issued by the Apostolic See from the time of the
Council which was true both before as well as after the laws established by the
Code of Canon Law. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>The criteria indicated were and remain at the level of
general guidelines and, as far as possible, must be followed by Liturgical
Commissions as the most suitable instruments so that, across the great variety
of languages, the liturgical community can arrive at an expressive style suitable
and appropriate to the individual parts, maintaining integrity and accurate
faithfulness especially in translating some texts of major importance in each
liturgical book. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Because the liturgical text is a ritual sign it is a means
of oral communication. However, for the believers who celebrate the sacred rites
the word is also a mystery. Indeed when words are uttered, in particular when
the Sacred Scriptures are read, God speaks to us. In the Gospel Christ himself
speaks to his people who respond either themselves or through the celebrant by
prayer to the Lord in the Holy Spirit. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>The goal of the translation of liturgical texts and of
biblical texts for the Liturgy of the Word is to announce the word of salvation
to the faithful in obedience to the faith and to express the prayer of the
Church to the Lord. For this purpose it is necessary to communicate to a given
people using its own language all that the Church intended to communicate to
other people through the Latin language. While fidelity cannot always be judged
by individual words but must be sought in the context of the whole
communicative act and according to its literary genre, nevertheless some particular
terms must also be considered in the context of the entire Catholic faith
because each translation of texts must be congruent with sound doctrine. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>It is no surprise that difficulties have arisen between the
Episcopal Conferences and the Apostolic See in the course of this long passage
of work. In order that the decisions of the Council about the use of vernacular
languages in the liturgy can also be of value in the future a vigilant and creative
collaboration full of reciprocal trust between the Episcopal Conferences and
the Dicastery of the Apostolic See that exercises the task of promoting the
Scared Liturgy, i.e. the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacraments, is absolutely necessary. For this reason, in order that the
renewal of the whole liturgical life might continue, it seemed opportune that
some principles handed on since the time of the Council should be more clearly
reaffirmed and put into practice. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Without doubt, attention must be paid to the benefit and
good of the faithful, nor must the right and duty of Episcopal Conferences be
forgotten who, together with Episcopal Conferences from regions sharing the
same language and with the Apostolic See, must ensure and establish that, while
the character of each language is safeguarded, the sense of the original text
is fully and faithfully rendered and that even after adaptations the translated
liturgical books always illuminate the unity of the Roman Rite. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>To make collaboration in this service to the faithful
between the Apostolic See and Episcopal Conferences easier and more fruitful,
and having listened to the advice of the Commission of Bishops and Experts that
I established, I order, with the authority entrusted to me, that the canonical
discipline currently in force in can. 838 of the C.I.C. be made clearer so
that, according to what is stated in the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium,
in particular in articles 36 §§3.4, 40 and 63, and in the Apostolic Letter Motu
Proprio Sacram Liturgiam, n. IX, the competency of the Apostolic See surrounding
the translation of liturgical books and the more radical adaptations established and approved by Episcopal
Conferences be made clearer, among which can also be numbered eventual new
texts to be inserted into these books. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Therefore, in the future can. 838 will read as follows: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p><st1:place w:st="on">Can.</st1:place>
838 - §1. The ordering and guidance of the sacred liturgy depends solely upon
the authority of the Church, namely, that of the Apostolic See and, as provided
by law, that of the diocesan Bishop. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>§2. It is for the Apostolic See to order the sacred liturgy
of the universal Church, publish liturgical books, <b>recognise adaptations approved by the Episcopal Conference according to
the norm of law</b>, and exercise vigilance that liturgical regulations are
observed faithfully everywhere. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>§3. It pertains to the Episcopal Conferences to <b>faithfully</b> prepare versions of the
liturgical books in vernacular languages, suitably <b>accommodated </b>within defined limits, and <b>to approve</b> and <b>publish the
liturgical books for the regions for which they are responsible after the confirmation
of the Apostolic See</b>. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>§4. Within the limits of his competence, it belongs to the
diocesan Bishop to lay down in the Church entrusted to his care, liturgical
regulations which are binding on all. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Consequently this is how art. 64 §3 of the Apostolic
Constitution Pastor Bonus as well as other laws are to be interpreted,
particularly those contained in the liturgical books concerning their revision.
Likewise I order that the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacraments modify its own “Regulations” on the basis of the new discipline
and help the Episcopal Conferences to fulfil their task as well as working to
promote ever more the liturgical life of the Latin Church. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Everything that I have decreed in this Apostolic Letter
issued Motu Proprio must be observed in all its parts, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary, even if it be worthy of particular mention, and I hereby set forth
and I dispose that it be promulgated by publication in the daily newspaper
L’Osservatore Romano, that it enter into force on 1 October 2017, and
thereafter be published in Acta Apostolicae Sedis. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Given in <st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place>,
at St. Peter’s, on 3 September of the year 2017, the fifth of my Pontificate </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>FRANCISCUS P.P.</blockquote>
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-39010762324167545962016-12-31T15:49:00.002+00:002017-09-06T17:45:47.266+01:00Bach, Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), BWV 248, live from the Kölner PhilharmonieQuite simply the best concert I have attended. Well worth the trip from London. The Philharmonie's in-house team recorded the concert and is available for on-demand viewing (for how long I am not sure). The work is simultaneously choral, orchestral, sacred and didactic. Maestro Suzuki, not conducting from the harpsichords (a wise move I think), led a performance that dazzled the German audience. The English choir (four voices per part and all male altos) and orchestra, and the cast of four soloists (also singing the choir parts) were uniformly, exquisitely outstanding. Five stars without hesitation, and a wonderful way to mark the Christmas season. Programme available <a href="http://www.koelner-philharmonie.de/media/content/veranstaltung/programmheft/2016-12-18.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> with full performer details (in German). Recorded at 18.30 on 18 December 2016. ★★★★★<br />
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-27366553754901522192016-12-31T14:43:00.002+00:002016-12-31T15:23:15.766+00:00A Must Watch Video: The Sistine Chapel ChoirThis simply superb piece by the US current affairs programme "60 Minutes" makes for compelling viewing. Rather than being simply a "puff piece", it actually delves into the woeful modern history of the choir, and how in a relatively short space of time, Monsignor Palombella has transformed the choir into one worthy of the task of singing at Papal Masses. The maestro's meticulous study of the choir's core repertoire, combined with an open-mindedness to outside influence (he must have taken advice from some English conductors), have ensured the development of the much purer, more professional sound we now hear. While many serious observers of happenings in Rome are, in many ways justifiably, alarmed by certain conduct of the Pope, this is one good news story for which the reigning Pontiff must be congratulated, even if simply for his passive inaction in not intervening in the good work by the current maestro di cappella. Indeed, perhaps that does the Pope an injustice, given that the choir seems to enjoy a close and cordial relationship with his Holiness (even if, as one cheeky chorister remarks with youthful candour, the Pope knows nothing about music!)
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-18476784057719764362016-06-09T23:21:00.001+01:002016-06-11T10:06:11.490+01:00Concert reviews: Three concerts, three weeks, three Masters of Music at Westminster Cathedral<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Quite by coincidence, within the space of three weeks, I had the privilege of attending three concerts under the baton of past and present Masters of Music at Westminster Cathedral. First cab off the rank was James O'Donnell, the present Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, conducting the Abbey Choir in Handel's oratorio <i>Israel in Egypt</i>. Next was Martin Baker, incumbent at Westminster Cathedral, conducting the Cathedral Choir in polyphonic masterpieces from the Spanish renaissance. Finally, it was David Hill conducting the Bach Choir in Bach's magnum opus the <i>Mass in B minor</i>. I review each in turn below.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bach <i>Mass in B minor, BWV 232</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Royal Festival Hall, 5 June 2016, 19.30</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Susan Gritton <i>Soprano</i> (replaced by another soprano, details unknown)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Iestyn Davies <i>Countertenor</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Ed Lyon <i>Tenor</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Neil Davies <i>Bass</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Bach Choir</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Florilegium <i>on authentic instruments</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">David Hill <i>Conductor</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Rating: ★★★★½</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">The question of how to perform Bach's choral works is a vexed one, perhaps best confined to the hallowed environs of the academy. Far more important to a paying audience is: has the conductor made the chosen method work in the moment, with the resources at his disposal? </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">At the Royal Festival Hall last Sunday night, David Hill made the most compelling case possible for Bach sung with large choral forces but a chamber sized period instrument orchestra. Strange bedfellows on paper, perhaps, but any scepticism about such a combination was dispelled in the opening bars of the Kyrie, as the Bach Choir, though massed, produced vocal lines of muscularity and suppleness by turns and set the scene for a thoroughly committed, engaging and, yes, refined performance of Bach's magnum opus. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">It is true that there were moments when the size of the choir did prevent a more agile presentation of the text (for instance, in the Credo with its many Ets , the "t" was often barely audible from any of the parts, and from time to time some of the bass and tenor parts sounded slightly stodgy, such as in the Confiteor of the Credo). But what was most impressive was the overall agility of such a large vocal force and its ability to shift gear with apparently effortless ease – for instance at key moments in the Sanctus and Dona nobis pacem. In short, we had almost all the benefits of a massed choir, with very few of the many possible downsides. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Any doubts about how the conventionally sized period instrument orchestra would cope against the might of the formidably sized choir were also misplaced. Except for a few occasions when the strings in particular did recede into a sea of voices, the orchestra, playing with remarkably energetic fluency, provided for a perfect partnership with the robustness of the choral forces. In combination, the choir and orchestra produced moments of sizzling sonorority – in the Cum Sancto Spiritu we heard a blaze of brass and an almost feverish fugal finale, in the Sanctus an epic proclamatory opening, followed by a positively dance like presentation of the Pleni sunt caeli and Osanna sections. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Only a quartet of vocal soloists was used and it was uniformly excellent. The advertised soprano Susan Gritton was replaced by another whose name I didn't quite catch, much to the horror of at least one male fan of the first mentioned singer who let out a out dramatic groan at the news she would not be singing. His disappointment would surely have been tempered by the ravishing performance given by the stand in, whose solo parts and duets alike were delivered with great grace and aplomb. I found her vocal agility in Laudamus te to be especially convincing. Iestyn Davies once again demonstrated why he is currently Britain's foremost countertenor, with lithe and dramatic singing by turns, transfixing the audience in a mesmerisingly melancholic account of the Angus Dei. It's rare that an audience doesn't take the opportunity at the end of a piece to rid themselves of all manner of restless tendencies, but they were in silent awe of the countertenor's delivery of the piece, and the orchestra's moving accompaniment. Ed Lyon's performances are always engaging – he impressed when I last heard him sing the tenor solos in the Johannes Passion at King's College Cambridge during Holy Week this year – and his solos and duets were no exception here. In the Benedictus the slightly reserved tunefulness of the flute – almost hinting at ambivalence – was overlaid by an elegant smoothness of delivery from Lyon. Neil Davies sang both of his solos with customary authority, though I enjoyed his Et in Spiritum more than his Quoniam tu solus. The former was delightfully mellifluous and in perfect harmony with the playful pair of oboes. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">The instrumental soloists were also superlative without exception. The only notable mistake was an wrong note in the natural horn during the Quoniam to Solus Sanctus for which no points can be deducted because the horn playing was so brilliant in every other respect – a point that the audience acknowledged during its ecstatic ovation. Trumpets were bullish but never unwieldy, and the chamber organ provided excellent continuo, occasionally producing flourishes of independent praiseworthiness. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Hill employed tempi that are common in the period instrument performances, generally on the brisker side for both choruses and solos/duets, but never sounding rushed and always allowing for appropriate spaciousness of sound. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">So a wonderful performance in is own right, and evidence that Bach performed with large choral forces can be both dramatically and musically persuasive. The Bach Choir, an amateur choir in name only, rightly deserves its reputation as one of the finest choral ensembles in the world, and the observation once made by the Daily Telegraph that "Could anyone but David Hill have achieved such a fusion of English choral tradition and state-of-the-art baroque performance practice?" was certainly borne out in this masterful presentation of the <i>B minor Mass</i>. </span></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Treasures of the Spanish Renaissance</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Westminster Cathedral, 25 May 2016, 19.30</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Frances Kelly <i>Harp</i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Sally Holman <i>Bass dulcian</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Peter Stevens <i>Organ</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Westminster Cathedral Choir</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Martin Baker <i>Conductor</i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Rating: ★★★★½</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">For this concert, Martin Baker and the Cathedral Choir presented a programme consisting entirely of polyphonic masterpieces from Spain's Siglo de Oro, marking the release of their new CD of Alosno Lobo's Lamentations by reprising a programme from 1985 when the choir (then under David Hill) committed works by Guerrero, Lobo and Vivanco to disc, many for the first time. As for that landmark disc, the choir was accompanied (at least for some of the works) by organ, bass dulcian, and harp. In a review of the CD, Gramophone magazine expressed some reservations about the blend of the instruments with the choir. There were no such problems at the recent concert, as organist, harpist and bass dulican player gave sensitive accompaniments which served only to embellish, and never to detract from, the singing.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">The programme began with a string of some of Guerrero finest motets. A stylish account of O sacrum convivium, and an exuberant Regina caeli were particular highlights. Then we moved into Lobo, with his well known funeral motet Versa est in luctum which was sung by a small "schola" in semicircular formation around Martin Baker. Then it was back to Guerrero for his monumental motet Maria Magdalene, followed by the Gloria from Lobo's parody Mass based on the motet. Vivanco's now well known Magnificat, another Lobo motet and two Ave Marias by Victoria completed the programme - the eight part Ave Maria given a particularly noteworthy performance. We didn't hear any of the Lobo <i>Lamentations</i>, which was slightly odd given that is the feature of the Cathedral Choir's new CD.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Along with an abundance of plainchant, this repertoire is naturally at the heart of the Choir's daily activities, but in a concert setting this can be as much of a hindrance as a help. Yet there was no hint of anything "routine" about this performance. Singing as a cohesive unit, and injecting maximum intensity of expression into the pieces, the choir produced near flawless performances of the renaissance masterpieces, doing full justice to the technical and artistic genius of the composers. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">There were some minor technical infelicities – for instance a slightly uneven start to the Lobo Versa est in lucctum and the first half of the Guerrero motet Maria Magdalene was not as taut as the second half – but these did not cause any appreciable impact on the overall performance. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Unfortunately, of more concern, were the few audience members who very nearly spoiled the atmosphere of the concert by clapping after each piece, despite an express injunction to refrain from clapping until the end of the concert. The offence was aggravated because the clapping would commence without fail straight after the choir finished singing but before the sound (in the Cathedral's generous acoustic) had been allowed to dissipate into oblivion. Out of consideration for the enjoyment of the rest of the paying audience, the Cathedral attendants should have politely asked the responsible parties to cease and desist. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">In summary, despite a minority of over-enthusiastic audience members, a wonderful night with singing of the highest order. The Cathedral Choir under Martin Baker keeps going from strength to strength. Speaking of which, I hope to review the choir's excellent new Alonso Lobo Lamentations CD at some point, advance copies of which the audience was able to purchase on the night (the opportunity to maximise initial sales not advanced by the absence of a card machine). In the mean time, there are reviews by the Guardian and BBC Radio 3 which give a good impression of what other critics are saying, and with which I am in broad agreement. Though, unlike the Guardian, I would give it a fifth star. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Handel <i>Israel in Egypt</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Westminster Abbey, 17 May 2016, 19.00</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Soloists <i>From the choir</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Westminster Abbey Choir</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">St James' Baroque <i>On authentic instruments</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">James O'Donnell <i>Conductor</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Rating: ★★★</span></div>
<div>
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">One of Handel's most enthralling oratorios, </span><i style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Israel in Egypt</i><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"> tells the Old Testament epic of the Israelites' persecution by Pharaoh, God's retributive punishment of the Egyptians in the form of 12 apocalyptic plagues, the Israelites' eventual flight from Pharaoh's horsemen, and finally their dramatic Divine salvation in the midst of the Red Sea. For this concert, performed in Westminster Abbey a mere dozen yards from where Handel is entombed, James O'Donnell conducted the Abbey Choir – comprised, as it would be for normal services, of professional men and boy trebles – and St. James' Baroque, a chamber orchestra playing on period instruments. The vocal soloists were drawn from the choir. As is increasingly common once more in performances of </span><i style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Israel in Egypt</i><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">, the original first part of the oratorio – which started life as standalone funeral ode for Queen Caroline called <i>The Ways of Zion do Mourn</i> and was later abandoned by Handel for performances – was omitted. This is unfortunate because <i>The Ways of Zion do Mourn</i> contains some stirring and finely crafted scoring, and was a popular addition to performances of <i>Israel in Egypt</i> at the height of the early music movement in the 1980s and 1990s. A practical consequence of its omission for performance is that the work begins, not with an overture, but with a tenor recitative. At least for the performance at the Abbey the overture from <i>The Ways of Zion do Mourn</i> was played by way of introduction. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">While in the concert reviewed above, the Westminster Cathedral Choir was performing its "core repertoire" – renaissance polyphony that it sings day at Mass and Vespers – the Abbey Choir was singing repertoire that is less "core" to its day to day work. And whereas the Cathedral Choir exploited it familiarity with the repertoire to maximum effect, delivering a nearly flawless and expressively intense performance, the Abbey Choir seemed at times ill at ease with the repertoire. Not in a technical sense – the singing throughout was (as you would expect) of a very high order from choir and soloists alike – but rather an interpretive sense. The oratorio form is almost like sacred opera. In the absence of the overtly dramatic element of the opera form, the orchestra and vocalists become the only media through which the theatre of the work can be exposed. Yet, the abiding impression at the conclusion of the performance was that it had been treated a quasi-liturgical work – a sort of enlarged choral Evensong. This meant that, at the heart of O'Donnell's interpretive approach was attention to detail, precision of execution, and purity of sound. All admirable endeavours, except if this comes at the expense of an overarching dramatic vision for the work.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">At times, it sounded choir merely eased out some of its lines, when what was called for was genuine fortissimo singing. "He gave them hailstones for rain" is one example, </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">"</span>Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power ... " is <span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">another. </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">In his interview for BBC Radio 3 – which was recoded prior to the performance but broadcast a few days after it along with the entire concert (</span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07b2htt" style="line-height: 21.4667px;" target="_blank">available, by the way, for another 9 days as at 9 June 2016</a><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">) James O'Donnell acknowledged that this oratorio, perhaps more than most, is conducive to dramatic singing to do justice to its cataclysmic subject matter (and, it should be added, Handel's scoring). Yet he specifically made a point that he did not want the choir "to bust a gut for the sake of decibels." Fair enough, but one cannot help but think that this contributed to the situation where at key moments, the choir sang well within itself when it should have been approaching the boundaries of its capabilities. And more importantly, it was sometimes drowned out by the modestly sized period instrument orchestra. Perhaps, on the approach taken by O'Donnell, a solution would have been to augment the choir exceptionally for this performance. Or just have them sing more like they did in "And with the blast of Thy nostrils".</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">The solos/duets were uniformly well sung, though most pieces were taken at unusually brisk tempi thereby dampening their intensity. Case in point, "Thou shalt bring them in", the penultimate movement before the rousing final choruses proclaim "The Lord shall reign for ever and ever", is conducive to a spacious tempo. The countertenor soloist sang the piece beautifully, showing lovely colour and vocal technique, but it was starved of its intensity by the hurried tempo. Among the highlights was the bass duet "The Lord is a man of war". And the trebles all gave confidently and beautifully delivered solos/duets. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">But <i>Israel in Egypt</i> is heavily weighted in favour of the choruses and hence they must demand the most acute attention. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">For those wishing a vaguely close comparison, here is YouTube video of a recording by Simon Preston conducting the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford (of which he was then Director before later becoming Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey) and the English Chamber Orchestra (playing on modern instruments). Note the different approach to the choral singing by a choir also comprising men and boys, no less steeped in the English choral tradition than the Abbey Choir. Note the superior dramatic realisation of the score. This is my view is the benchmark for performances by cathedral/college choirs. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z-fJjV2pIqs" width="500"></iframe>
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<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">All in all, a perfectly respectable performance with no particular technical weaknesses, refined (arguably too refined) choral singing, solid orchestral accompaniment and some notable individual contributions, if , ultimately, an unadventurous realisation of the score. </span><br />
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-19486666592028240262016-05-24T15:50:00.004+01:002016-05-25T11:21:32.698+01:00El Siglo de Oro: Westminster Cathedral Choir Sings Masterpieces of the Spanish Golden Age<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>This is a concert notice for <a href="http://www.westminstercathedralchoir.com/news-and-events-detail.php?TREASURES-OF-THE-SPANISH-RENAISSANCE-61" target="_blank">Treasures of the Spanish Renaissance</a>, to be performed by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral directed by Martin Baker at 19.30 on Wednesday 25 May 2016 (at the Cathedral). At 17.30 today, Tuesday 24 May 2016, Mr Baker will be interviewed on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07c3xmb" target="_blank">BBC Radio 3 In Tune</a> to discuss the concert and the Cathedral Choir's <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68106" target="_blank">CD of Alonso Lobo's music</a> which is due to be released on 27 May 2016, excerpts of which may be found on the <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68106" target="_blank">Hyperion website</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5u_DiIvHno" target="_blank">YouTube</a> . The audience at tomorrow night's concert will be able to purchase the CD two days prior to the official release. Tickets are £20 and the CD is likely to be between £10 and £15. </i></blockquote>
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<b>Update:</b> If you click on the link above to the BBC In Tune programme you can listen to interview with Martin Baker on demand for the next 29 days as at writing (23.13 BST 24 May 2016). The interview includes two full tracks from the new Lobo CD - <i>Jerusalem, Jerusalem</i> from the <i>Lamentations</i>, and the <i>Kyrie</i> from the <i>Missa Maria Magdalene</i>. <br />
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<i>"A controversial record, then; but it is certainly one that all lovers of late Renaissance church music ought to hear."</i></div>
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So ended one of Gramophone Magazine's reviews of <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66168" target="_blank">Treasures of the Spanish Renaissance</a>, a significant contribution to the catalogue of polyphony from Spain's Siglo de Oro, recorded by Westminster Cathedral Choir under David Hill in 1985 and released the following year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0R5RRTE6wh93mGrKbuJiqLUEgLE5oBhyI7xahQikrgZn58ZbSW4-CcuXquTTXwO2W0GDqHOe9HArrwu7kZ-_yTPpTRrd9xarHT7t3ZMqjZKkleqqgfwYHjLja3xGzVarstA691Mue8ZE/s1600/treasures+of+the+spanish+renaissance+CD+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0R5RRTE6wh93mGrKbuJiqLUEgLE5oBhyI7xahQikrgZn58ZbSW4-CcuXquTTXwO2W0GDqHOe9HArrwu7kZ-_yTPpTRrd9xarHT7t3ZMqjZKkleqqgfwYHjLja3xGzVarstA691Mue8ZE/s320/treasures+of+the+spanish+renaissance+CD+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another Gramophone reviewer wrote:</div>
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<i>"... the recording ... tries its best to unravel the multiple ... strands of the part singing and at the same time blend in proper amounts of the accompanying instrumentalists and the impressive reverberation of the Cathedral itself. On the whole it succeeds, now and again with some distinction."</i></div>
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The "accompanying instrumentalists" included a dulcian, harp and organ (played by James O'Donnell, David Hill's eventual successor at Westminster Cathedral). </div>
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Even as late as the mid 1980s, the "early music" movement at this point in full swing, sacred works by renaissance composers other than Victoria and Morales were in relatively short supply. Hence the importance of a new record that highlighted the brilliance of composers such as Francisco Guerrero, Alonso Lobo (one of Guerrero's students) and Sebastian de Vivanco. Gramophone's reservations about the execution of some of the pieces notwithstanding, this disc remains a benchmark from which all other recordings of similar works can be judged. The full track listing is:</div>
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1. Guerrero <i>Surge Propera Amica Mea</i></div>
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2. Guerrero <i>O altitudo divitiarum</i></div>
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3. Guerrero <i>O Domine Iesu Christe</i></div>
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4. Guerrero <i>O Sacrum Convivium</i></div>
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5. Guerrero <i>Ave Virgo Sanctissima</i></div>
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6. Guerrero <i>Regina Caeli Laetare</i></div>
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7. A Lobo <i>Versa Est in Luctum </i></div>
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8. A Lobo <i>Ave Maria</i></div>
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9. A Lobo <i>O quam suavis est, Domine</i> </div>
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10. Sebastian de Vivanco <i>Magnificat Octavi Toni</i></div>
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It is partly in celebration of this momentous disc, and partly to herald its <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68106" target="_blank">new disc exclusively (with one exception) dedicated to the work of A Lobo</a>, that Westminster Cathedral Choir will this Wednesday 25 May 2016 <a href="http://www.westminstercathedralchoir.com/news-and-events-detail.php?TREASURES-OF-THE-SPANISH-RENAISSANCE-61" target="_blank">give a concert</a> with the same title as the 1985 recording, though apart from works by Guerrero, A Lobo, and Vivanco there will be two by Victoria (whose magnificent eight part Ave Maria will conclude the concert - <a href="http://acolytestale.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/westminster-cathedral-choir-sings-at.html" target="_blank">click here</a> to listen to Westminster Cathedral Choir singing part of this work at St Peter's Basilica in Rome a few years ago). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfIcw_NDwN-2D3StTzN-er3hYCGfQdk3p107ybFbF-jIhOtRnFooHnPnf9cLc6WMyM9HKjFOULwd4Ura5xM4Pa40w8q0FsC4rP3LLzEGJb66meL68uJyEiLIXu2IlPY86dAmFchX-zS0z/s1600/concert+advert+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfIcw_NDwN-2D3StTzN-er3hYCGfQdk3p107ybFbF-jIhOtRnFooHnPnf9cLc6WMyM9HKjFOULwd4Ura5xM4Pa40w8q0FsC4rP3LLzEGJb66meL68uJyEiLIXu2IlPY86dAmFchX-zS0z/s320/concert+advert+1.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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The full programme is: </div>
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Guerrero <i>Surge propera</i></div>
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Guerrero <i>O Domine Iesu Christe</i></div>
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Guerrero <i>O sacrum convivium</i></div>
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Guerrero <i>Ave virgo sanctissima</i></div>
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Guerrero <i>Regina cæli à 8</i></div>
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Instrumental</div>
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<br /></div>
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Lobo <i>Versa est in luctum</i></div>
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Guerrero <i>Maria Magdalene</i></div>
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Lobo <i>Missa Maria Magdalene (Gloria)</i></div>
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Instrumental</div>
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<br /></div>
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Victoria <i>Ave Maria à 4</i></div>
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Vivanco <i>Magnificat octavi toni</i></div>
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Lobo <i>O quam suavis</i></div>
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Victoria <i>Ave Maria à 8</i></div>
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Westminster Cathedral Choir</div>
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Martin Baker: conductor</div>
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Peter Stevens: organ</div>
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The audience will have the privilege of being able to purchase the new CD a few days in advance of its official release. Sound samples are already available on the <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68106" target="_blank">Hyperion Records website</a> (and quite probably on other sites) as well as on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5u_DiIvHno" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dMPr-4Ck7i9iU9t-FN9AP7wwdA6_trOZQ4K3pP2ivU1_jhGF7fVSYBePqZharypFabcBCbfmAN9eIpUfrjw_yYdL3IkLOLm23uGf6ypYsTSwGY152t50qJxIyxqr8fYt3NCarMTJE1V3/s1600/Lobo+artwork+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dMPr-4Ck7i9iU9t-FN9AP7wwdA6_trOZQ4K3pP2ivU1_jhGF7fVSYBePqZharypFabcBCbfmAN9eIpUfrjw_yYdL3IkLOLm23uGf6ypYsTSwGY152t50qJxIyxqr8fYt3NCarMTJE1V3/s320/Lobo+artwork+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The track listing is: </div>
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Guerrero</div>
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1. <i>Maria Magdalene Et Altera Maria</i></div>
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A Lobo</div>
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<i>Missa Maria Maria Magdalene</i></div>
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2. <i>Kyrie</i></div>
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3. <i>Gloria</i></div>
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4. <i>Credo</i></div>
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5. <i>Sanctus Et Benedictus</i></div>
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6. <i>Agnus Dei</i></div>
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<i>Lamentations</i></div>
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7. <i>De Lamentatione Jeremiae Prophetae</i></div>
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8. <i>Misericordia Domini</i></div>
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9. <i>Novi Diluculo</i></div>
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10. <i>Pars Mea Dominus</i></div>
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11. <i>Bonus Est Dominus</i></div>
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12. <i>Bonum Est Praestolari</i></div>
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13. <i>Bonum Est Viro</i></div>
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14. <i>Sebedit Solitarius</i></div>
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15. <i>Ponet in Pulvere Os Suum</i></div>
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16. <i>Dabit Percutienti Se Maxillam</i></div>
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17. <i>Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Convertere Ad Dominum Deum Tuum</i></div>
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<i>Motets</i></div>
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18. <i>Regina Caeli</i></div>
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19. <i>O Quam Suavis Est, Domine</i></div>
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It is slightly odd that the title of the forthcoming disc only refers to the Lobo Lamentations, given the presence of the Missa Maria Magdalene (a parody Mass based on the Guererro motet Maria Magdalene Et Altera Maria). One can hazard a guess that this was to distinguish it from <a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDGIM031" target="_blank">the Tallis Scholars CD of the Mass and Guerrero motet</a>, though there is certainly no shame in replicating this repertoire especially as the Tallis Scholars disc appears to be the only other recording of the Mass (<a href="http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67836" target="_blank">the Cardinall's Musick have recorded the Guerrero motet</a> though it is a less than satisfying performance - unlike the rest of that particular disc). </div>
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The Tallis Scholars disc of Lobo is notable for its crystal clear articulation and perfect arching passages. Despite its significantly larger size, the Westminster Cathedral Choir definitely has the capacity to replicate such clarity of sound while also adding the ethereal dimension for which the British cathedral and college choirs are celebrated. Early indications from the samples already made available are that we will be treated to some fine singing and that at the very least the Westminster Cathedral CD will compare favourably to the Tallis Scholars disc. </div>
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One further point to make is that for the recording of the Choir's last CD, the acclaimed disc of The Byrd Masses, <a href="http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/08/the-three-masses-of-william-byrd.html#.V0RnwDUrKUk" target="_blank">the Choir was apparently arranged in a square formation in the vast Sanctuary below the high altar</a>. This was perhaps to overcome some of the problems associated with making recordings from where the choir usually sings for Mass (high up in the Apse), sometimes causing what I describe as the "washing machine" effect when the separate parts can become indiscernible. For this latest recording, it sounds like the choir may well have adopted a similar technique, such is the apparent clarity of the part singing. </div>
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I must say, having just visited this music's country of origin where it is sporadically performed at best (and then almost never at Mass or Vespers), it is reassuring to return to the UK where this music continues to live on in both the context for which it was intended as well as in the concert arena. Hence let me renew this blog's admiration of and appreciation for the many people involved in keeping sacred music alive and well in the 21st century. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Your humble scribe files this report from Madrid</span></div>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-12306745586821644452016-05-15T00:10:00.002+01:002016-05-15T00:52:26.706+01:00Solemn Sacred Sounds from the Sunshine StateQueensland is the second largest state by land mass of the Commonwealth of Australia. Its tropical and subtropical climates create warm, humid conditions for much of the year, and make the state prone to cyclones.<br />
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The majority of its inhabitants reside along the vast eastern coastline that stretches for some 3,000 kilometres (1,900 miles).<br />
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Brisbane, its capital city, sits at latitude 27.4710° S, longitude 153.0234° E, placing it at the far south-eastern corner of the state. Much of its charm is derived from it being situated on the Brisbane River, a sizeable, navigable freshwater channel, albeit a progressively salty one as it flows headlong into the expanse of the Pacific.<br />
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Brisbane was named after Scotsman Sir Thomas Brisbane, erstwhile British Army officer serving under the Duke of Wellington and later appointed Governor of New South Wales (when the colony of New South Wales also encompassed the area that became the colony, and later the state, of Queensland).<br />
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In recent years, the Catholic climate in Queensland has been somewhat tempestuous - or perhaps rather more aplty, cyclonic. Doctrinally seen as falling (in many cases, well) short of what, as a crude generalisation, may be described as Catholic orthodoxy (whatever that may currently mean), and liturgically scarcely better, Queensland Catholicism was very much lying enfeebled in a field hospital.<br />
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The <a href="http://acolytestale.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/sanguis-et-aqua-more-on-new-archbishop.html" target="_blank">appointment in 2012 of Archbishop Mark Coleridge to Brisbane</a> marked a turning point on both fronts. On the liturgical front, with which this blog is primarily concerned, His Grace took swift action to bring the Masses at St Stephen's Cathedral more sharply into line with Catholic tradition, as espoused continuously from Pope St Pius X, through the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and even in the constituent documents of the papally legislated Novus Ordo Missal (a point put beyond any doubt by the masterful Pope Benedict XVI).<br />
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Chant and polyphony and other music fit for the Mass and the Divine Office (in other words, music that is unmistakably sacred in nature), often sung in the Latin Rite's universal, mother tongue, are now being given pride of place in worship at Brisbane's Catholic cathedral.<br />
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The cathedral's three choirs - the Cathedral Choir of men and boys, the Cathedral Schola of professional men and women, and the St Stephen's Chorale - come under the purview of the cathedral music department which was led by well respected Director of Music Dr Ralph Morton until <a href="https://www.acu.edu.au/connect_with_acu/newsroom/news/media_releases/year/2016/vale_ralph_morton" target="_blank">his untimely death earlier this year</a>. Mr James Goldrick was appointed Assistant Director of Music in 2014. Mastro Goldrick, a New South Welshman, studied at the University of Newcastle (NSW), and has previously held roles as organ scholar at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Newcastle (NSW) and St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Sydney.<br />
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Maestro Goldrick brings a wealth of musical talent as organist and choral director, and a keen appreciation of and sympathy for the musical patrimony of the Latin rite. This is demonstrated none more so than in the introduction, presumably at his initiative, of a regular solemn choral vespers at St Stephen's. A recording of one such service made on Sunday 7 February 2016 may be viewed below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TxyuC9eInJ8" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
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Also see <a href="https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/multimedia/on-demand-web-casts/" target="_blank">this page</a> for on demand videos of past Solemn Masses. And visit the cathedral's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cathedral-of-St-Stephen-Brisbane/330020603761698" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for music lists for the 10 am and 12 pm Sunday Masses and 3 pm Vespers. For Pentecost 2016 you will hear:<br />
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<i>10am Solemn Mass</i><br />
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Vierne - Messe Solennelle<br />
Elgar - The Spirit of the Lord<br />
Chant/Cochereau - Te Deum laudamus<br />
Tournemire - Improvisation sur le 'Te Deum'<br />
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<i>12pm Mass</i><br />
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Jonathan Dove - Missa Brevis<br />
Palestrina - Dum complerentur<br />
Victoria - Te Deum<br />
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<i>3pm Solemn Vespers and Benediction</i><br />
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Psalmody - Plainsong<br />
Office Hymn - Veni Creator Spiritus<br />
Antiphon - Hodie completi sunt dies Pentecostes<br />
Bevan - Magnificat primi toni<br />
Tallis - Loquebantur variis linguis a 7<br />
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This blog congratulates Maestro Goldrick for his role in the critically important work to revive Catholic liturgical/musical patrimony in Northern Australia, and notes the not insignificant impact that the earlier restoration in Sydney, facilitated by Cardinal Pell and carried so expertly into effect by Maestro Thomas Wilson and his team, has had in the developments further north.<br />
<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-80213577476415053952015-12-24T21:39:00.001+00:002015-12-24T21:40:11.697+00:00Midnight Mass from SydneyApologies for neglecting to post in a while. I may or may not have the chance to catch up on a fair bit that's been happening in London. In the meantime, here is the Midnight Mass from St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney where the music was splendid as usual. Nice to see Rutter's famous carol getting an outing. And it didn't pass my notice that during Advent there was a most pleasing development, viz. the introduction of Credo I in Latin. Most excellent. A blessed Christmas to all.<br />
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-33232681081142852952015-11-14T23:43:00.001+00:002015-11-14T23:43:48.600+00:00Interview with Martin Baker on Chant and PolyphonyIt appears in the latest Latin Mass Society <a href="http://www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/magazine-taster-articles/gregorian_chant_article_2015" target="_blank">journal</a> - do visit their site <a href="http://www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/magazine" target="_blank">here</a> for details on obtaining a copy. <br />
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Favourite bit: the introduction of the newer rite of the Mass and/or its aftermath being described with typical English understatement as having caused a "wobble" at Westminster Cathedral. <br />
<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-14828465012700284482015-11-14T01:30:00.002+00:002015-11-14T01:30:40.543+00:00Wanton barbarism<div>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-38812166564074516442015-11-12T00:26:00.000+00:002015-11-12T00:26:08.254+00:00A treasure trove But it's the people's will ...<br />
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-18195865063177157942015-11-11T11:47:00.000+00:002015-11-11T12:43:57.068+00:00Armistice DayIt's nice to see that the traditional two minute reflection at 11h00 on 11 November, instituted by King George VI, is still observed, and even in Marks and Spencer an announcement was made encouraging customers to make the observance in the shop.<br />
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The other, earlier, Victoria <i>Requiem</i></div>
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<i>Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.<br /> <br />Let us pray.</i> </blockquote>
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<i>Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that the souls of Thy sons and daughters in the armed services who have perished in conflicts past, the memory of whom we keep with special reverence, and for whom we are bidden and are bound to pray, may rest in the bosom of Thy saints; and hereafter, in the resurrection from the dead, may please Thee in the land of the living. Through Christ our Lord.</i> </blockquote>
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<i>Amen.</i></blockquote>
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<br />Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-13227411695125317792015-11-05T15:52:00.001+00:002015-11-05T15:52:58.808+00:00Christmas Choral Music in SydneyIf you are in Sydney remember to get your tickets early to one of the highlights of the year at St Mary's Cathedral - "A Christmas Celebration". Featuring a chamber orchestra there will be glorious music by J. S. Bach, Handel, James MacMillan and John Rutter, as well as traditional Christmas carols that the audience is encouraged to sing with the choir.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent photograph of Australia's foremost liturgical choir</td></tr>
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Tickets are available by visiting <a href="https://www.cityrecitalhall.com/events/st-marys-cathedral" target="_blank">this website</a>. Seating plan is <a href="https://cityrecitalhall-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/A%20CHRISTMAS%20CELEBRATION%20SEATING%20MAP.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. What are you waiting for?</div>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003939046238942836.post-14459498279704672392015-11-02T11:37:00.001+00:002015-11-04T20:38:30.679+00:00All Souls' Eve at Magdalen College, Oxford: Full Faure RequiemThe people thronged to Magdalen College Chapel on a decidedly misty autumn evening in Oxford for the commemoration of All Souls' Eve with Fauré's <i>Requiem </i>accompanied by organ, strings and harp. The choir was in good voice, producing a very natural sound not too dissimilar to that cultivated by George Guest when director at St John's College at The Other Place. Hear for yourself:<br />
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FIDÉLIUM Deus, ómnium cónditor et redémptor: animábus famulórum famularúmque tuárum remissiónem cunctórum tríbue peccatórum; ut indulgéntiam, quam semper optavérunt, piis supplicatiónibus consequántur: Qui vivis et regnas ...</div>
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<i>O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful: grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins: that through our devout prayers, they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired: Who livest and reignest ...</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the mist descended</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's this? A rival choir singing Fauré's <i>Requiem</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excuse this little indulgence - but when in Oxford, the best coffee (which is in fact excellent) is to be found at The Missing Bean on Turl St</td></tr>
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Kentish Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06563012846208014122noreply@blogger.com