Day 6 - IOM 2019

The last day for our boys began well and with unexpected energy. The routine ritual of an Isle of Man morning was completed with bank, breakfast and room check and so we were whisked of to St Thomas’ for our practice, returning to our normal routine after yesterday’s ‘break’ of only one practice.

Yet again the boys performed and practiced well and effectively. After the practice many boys ventured into Douglas town centre due to improved weather. Some of our boys, however, simply returned to the hotel to relax and to write late postcards if they were one of the less organised individuals in the boys’ section.

Lunch of jacket potatoes and ice cream followed and so the boys returned to rooms to pack and prepare for the beach in a hope to fully exploit the rare sunny weather we have had this week. The practice at tonight’s church St Matthew’s was completed thoroughly yet quickly due to the anticipation of the approaching beach visit. Eventually the transport rolled up to Port Erin and the boys unloaded and deserted their shoes, much to the staff’s dismay, and leapt onto the surprisingly white and smooth sand. Some of our choristers played touch rugby or football. Others played in the sand and bravely ventured down to the sea whereas some of our less keen or mobile choristers sat on the promenade observing and of course eating yet more ice cream.

After an exhausting two hours and with the boys’ energy fully expended, hopefully, we returned to the hotel, had a shower, and got dressed ready for dinner and the subsequent service. After arriving the boys got robed and lined up ready to lead the final service of the weak. It is safe to say the week ended very well with yet again consistently excellent readings from Jacob Egan and Harry Jones and similarly excellent prayers read by Thomas Whalley, Finley Lawrenson, James cross, James Ridings and Alex Hodson again demonstrating the depth of reading talent and potential in the choir.

Following this came a very good sermon yet again from the chaplain about how choir relates to our faith and how our singing can affect not only others but our own faith and how we have to delve deeper into the words we sing and what they represent. And very fittingly the solo of ‘O God You search Me’ was an excellently executed solo to end an excellent week, especially for the boy in question, Jacob Mason, who was singing his second solo in the space of three days.

After another amazing reception of drinks and cakes from the parishioners the boys still had plenty of things to do to be prepared for departure day tomorrow. A short-requested show to our fellow guests at our hotel was very well sung, unaccompanied. But, alas, it finally came time for packing to begin and eventually after much teamwork and organisation the boys were ready for their departure and day tomorrow.

We hope all the parents have enjoyed hearing what we’ve been getting up to each day. It has been an excellent week and the Head Choristers would like to thank the choristers for making this week eventful, a pleasure to lead in singing and in activities and, most importantly, fun. We hope the younger choristers can continue to expand and work on this great potential that has been seen to be ‘unlocked’ over the course of the week.

The Head Boys