Vernon's Service
Company events (at which musicians from the school are invited to take part) are among the most special of the busy music calendar. The annual service which gives thanks for the life and benefactions of John Vernon is one of these, being held at the Company's guild church, St Michael's Cornhill. The Chamber Choir were once again invited to sing at this and, in addition to the usual fare of congregational hymns and carols, sang three unaccompanied carols.
As an OMT later remarked to us at the Hall, such a feat would not have been attempted in his day (the 1970s), and he remarked that the choir — especially, he noted, the tenors — was sounding splendid.
The service was led by the Rector, the Revd. Henry Eatock-Taylor, and the preacher was the Very Revd. the Dean of Rochester, Dr. Philip Hesketh, Chaplain to the Company. The first lesson was read by Mrs Cicely Scarborough, liveryman, and the second lesson was read by Mr Duncan Eggar, Master of the Company.
The Chamber Choir sang Out of your sleep by Richard Rodney Bennett, The Lamb by John Taverner, and Benedicamus Domino by Peter Warlock. The organ was played by the sub-organist, Benjamin Collyer.
After the service we retired to the Hall, where we had a lunch of tortellini with arrabiata sauce, together with sausages. The pudding was plum financiers (which, the boys discovered, was not the same as a fiancée), or orange and chocolate mousse. A visit to the facilities enabled us to see the newly painted mural depicting the history of the Merchant Taylors' Company. Some of the staff were delighted to find that the Company was selling various wares, amongst other things tea towels and mugs designed by Adam Dant. Mr Tonks was delighted to discover that socks were being sold, and bought a pair.