Quirister ‘Dubbing’ and Choral Evensong, Thursday 25 April
Thursday 25 April saw the formal admission, or ‘dubbing’, of Y6 Riku as a Quirister in front of a large congregation of family, friends and the G30. Not the gathering of world statesmen, rather the G30 schools: the Heads of thirty leading schools from 15 countries around the world to share their best practice, thoughts, ideas and challenges. This year’s conference was jointly hosted by Shrewsbury, Stowe, Wellington and Winchester in the UK.
The ceremonial element was introduced by Michael Farrant’s beautiful 16th Century unaccompanied anthem ‘Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake’ before Headmaster Elizabeth Stone formally admitted Riku to be ‘a Quirister of St. Mary College of Winchester’ in a ceremony that, in some form or another, has likely been taking place in the College Chapel since the fourteenth century. With his newly donned crisp white surplice in place over his scarlet cassock, Riku was led to his position by Head Q James P. The canticles’ setting of Stanford in G gave Sebastian B. the opportunity to shine in the solo lead of the Magnificat. The equally stunning Nunc dimittis was led by Winchester College pupil Peter M.’s bass solo. The anthem, Samuel Sebastian Wesley’s ‘Blessed be the God and Father’, gave Sam H. the opportunity to deliver an assured solo to bring this wonderful service to its conclusion.
In sum, a service that linked the innovation of the G30 schools, the centuries-old tradition of a Quirister dubbing and the very best of Anglican choral music – a delight!
