The Salopian Summer 2023

88
SALOPIAN CLUB NEWS
Silk Roads and Song Cycles
Salopian Arts 2023
For Salopians in the Arts, it was a huge relief to have finally
shrugged off the Pandemic. The annual Epiphany Service
at St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside had been silenced for two
years. In January, the event returned with a glorious revival.
A gathering of more than a hundred saw an all-Salopian
Choir, conducted by Patrick Craig (Ch 1982-87), with
organist Anthony Merryweather (I 1986-91) give a
wonderful rendering of Alex Clarke’s (Rt 1982-87) World
Premier Light Came Down - with soloists Daniel Norman
(I 1984-88) and Sophia Price (EDH 2016-18) and further
solos by Andrew Tipple (M 2000-05).
Some fine eclectic readings
were spoken by old and
young and the Dean of St
John’s Chapel Cambridge, The
Revd Canon Dr Mark Oakley
(Rb 1982-87) delivered a
sermon for the ages. It was an
inspiring occasion, polished
off by a crowded post-match
gathering at the nearby
Williamson’s Tavern.
Huge thanks to Richard
Eteson (G 1989-93) for his
tireless preparation.
In February, Joe Bell (Rb/I 2010-15) together with Becky
Home (MSH 2011-13) and the Young Salopians organised a
fantastic Open Mic Night in London featuring an array of Old
Salopian talent include Joe, Cameron Bates (S 2012-17),
George Bates (S 2009-14), Jessie Inglis-Jones (EDH 2016-
18) and Luke Lloyd-Jones (Rb 2011-16).
Another memorable event took place in March, when
Salopians gathered to witness a tour of the British Museum,
led by Nicholas Barber (SH 1954-58). Barber, who had
earlier toured the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, took as his
theme The Silk Roads that stretched from China into Europe.
A former Trustee of the British Museum, he led his guests
through the very best of the Chinese and Indian Rooms, with
an impeccable eye for detail, entertainment and anecdote.
In April the King’s Place, London saw yet another World
Première: Richard Eteson’s Song Cycle Under the Hawthorn
Tree, based on a set of poems by Welsh poet Hywel John.
Performed by James Hall, countertenor, and Dylan Perez,
piano, the cycle broods on the mysterious Welsh landscape
around the Preseli Hills.
Proceeds for the concert went to the Children’s Charity
Coram. The Coram Foundation is no stranger to original
works by other composers. The Foundling Hospital was
partly funded by George Frederick Handel, a branch of
which was once in the Main School Building at Shrewsbury
School.
Are you on the mailing list for Arts Events? If not, please
email a request to the Salopian Club Administrator Christine
Stephens clstephens@shrewsbury.org.uk
Plans for the Arts Season 2023-24 will be published shortly.
Peter Fanning (Staff 1981-2012)