Bramdean Chapel & Concert Choir

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 25th of February 2013

An archive broadcast of choristers from Exeter's Bramdean School was aired on BBC Radio 3 on January 23.

The performance from 1990 was broadcast at 3.30pm on 'Choral Evensong' the longest running outside
broadcast in the world.

The original was recorded in the school's chapel, built by headmaster Tony Connett, and Bramdean has the
distinction of being the first school chapel choir ever to be invited to take part as it is usually the preserve of
famous Cathedral and Collegiate Choirs.

The performance was produced by Dr Barry Rose, then the BBC's Music Adviser to Religious Broadcasting and
now visiting Choral Director for the school.

Headmaster Tony Connett said: "Dr Rose was responsible at the BBC for choosing the choirs which would be
included in the series, as well as often acting as producer of the broadcasts. He had heard the Bramdean choir
singing in the then newly built Chapel. Dr Rose made the decision to come here, and on the day, he was the
BBC's producer for the live transmission."

Included in the performance was a descant to the last hymn 'The Day Thou Gavest' which was specially written
for the occasion.

In 1990, Bramdean was a boys only school, and a number of the choristers were weekly boarders, which enabled
them to have a daily rehearsal schedule, as well as singing Compline or Vespers in the Chapel each afternoon of
the week.

The broadcast was repeated at 4pm on Sunday, January 27.