22 June 2018
Tonight some 60 parents joined 20 musicians and music staff on a glorious sunny summer's evening, for a three hour cruise aboard a Salter's steamer leaving from the marina at Abingdon Bridge and heading through the lovely Oxfordshire countryside.
The passengers were soon able to enjoy some delightful music-making provided by the close harmony singing of the Abingdon Academicals, chamber music from the Fourth Year String Quartet, a staff ensemble of six hands at the piano and some Bach oboe solos from Mr Stinton, accompanied by Lynette Stulting.
The happy and relaxed atmosphere also allowed for some impromptu performances from David Bicarregui and self-accompanying songster, Ben Adams. Both of them, joined by Miss Stulting then did some delightful improvisation before the quartet struck up once more as we arrived back to base.
The evening gave an opportunity for farewells to be said to our gifted musical leavers, not least choirmaster, John Cotton, who leaves us at the end of term, to take up a similar position at Portsmouth Grammar School, where his wife, Anne, will take up the Headship in September.
We thanked Mr Cotton for all his work especially with the choirs, which have thrived under his leadership.