Issue 5 - April 2011 - Ampleforth College

38
EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATIONS
John Clapham (J)
Extended Project Qualification
I decided to undertake an EPQ (Extended
Project Qualification), and as a passionate
musician, I was always set on doing a
musical project. However, the flexibility of
the qualification allowed me to consider
several options before starting. I
subsequently settled on a creative project
based around a musical composition of the
name Missa Veni Creator Spiritus for
unaccompanied choir. As the name
suggests, the composition is a setting of the
Latin mass. The last three words of the title
owe themselves to the Latin plainsong
hymn of the same name, which I used both
as a melodic and philosophical basis for the
work. As a former chorister of
Westminster Cathedral, I had grown up
with both the Latin mass and plainsong as a
part of my everyday life. And so I was more
than happy to be able to put my
knowledge, experience and love of these
two disciplines into a creative use.
I completed much of the composition over
the summer holidays at home, away from
the busy schedule of school life. I had
already met several times with Mr Hardie,
my supervisor for the project, to whom I
am much indebted. So I was able to
complete most of the actual composition
by the time I returned for my upper sixth
year in September. Another aspect of the
project was that I would rehearse and
conduct the work using the Ampleforth
Singers, to whom I am also much indebted
to for their consistent focus and hard work
on the tight deadlines. I wrote a brief
commentary on the work on my return to
school, explaining some of my influences
and compositional techniques (I had spent
time researching composers such as
Britten, Durufle, MacMillan and Bairstow in
order to fulfill the research aspect of the
project and stimulate my own
compositional ideas).
The project came to a grand and satisfying
conclusion with a premiere of the work,
sung by the Ampleforth Singers, in the Main
Hall. This was then followed by a
presentation (an aspect of the project
which I particularly relished) in the Alcuin
Room in which I briefly explained what I
had done for the project as well as taking a
variety of questions from those kind
enough to attend. I was later thrilled to
learn that I had attained an A* grade for the
project, which I had found to be both
rewarding and exciting. Since finishing the
project, I have continued working with the
Ampleforth Singers on other repertoire
and have had the opportunity to perform
the mass for the first time in its true liturgical
setting in Easingwold Parish Church. I also
decided to set the poetry of Niamh Keenan
(M) to music for choir with organ
accompaniment (performed by the
combined Scholae of Ampleforth College),
as a part of the Christmas Carol Service, a
task which provided me with a new set of
challenges and difficulties and which I was
thrilled to be involved in. I am looking to
continue composing after I leave school
and am constantly eager to take part in any
compositional opportunities that are sent
my way.
I would strongly recommend the EPQ to
anyone currently a part of, or joining the
sixth form, as its flexibility provides
absolutely anyone with the opportunity to
gain recognition for something they love
and enjoy, as well as developing key skills
such as organisation, time management
and public speaking in an enjoyable and
self-determined environment.