In the second part of our look back at Cranleigh music, a new century brings the first House singing competition, shows the impact of World War One on the School’s musical aspirations and how the School’s Diamond Jubilee was marked.
1900 The formation of the Officer Training Corps was followed immediately by the launch of the Bugle Corps which within a year or two had seriously impacted on the older bands. The fortunes of both undulated and often The Cranleighan reports of them flourishing were followed soon after by laments that they were struggling for numbers.
1906 The first Glee Competition between houses was won by 1 North. This was the forerunner of the House Singing Competition.
1908 The Cranleigh Football Song, written by Allen and Harris was published. It never gained the popularity of the official school song and became redundant when the school stopped playing football in 1916.
1910 Orchestras continued to rely on outside help and in 1910, the new headmaster, Charles Tyler, said he “looked forward to the time the school would be able to supply its own incidental music at the concerts.” That was not to happen for another thirty years and only then because of the war.
1911 Controversy at the Inter-House Glee Competition. “By an unfortunate error of judgment on the part of East, who, apparently misunderstanding the purpose for which the competition is held, thought well to introduce what was intended to be a comic incident in the programme, the competition as a whole was marred.” East finished last and the competition was scrapped.
1914 The first Winter Concert of the war raised twelve pounds for the Belgian Relief Fund. The programme was appropriately embellished with the flags of the Allies and the concert opened with a performance of the national anthems of Belgium, Russia, France and Britain.
1916 The introduction of rugby in 1916 triggered a surge in the importance of sport to the marginalisation of many other aspects of school life. Whereas previously scholars and prefects were the boys to be looked up to, that role became taken by members of the 1st XV and music became overshadowed.
1921 The first gramophone appeared in a house – West – where The Cranleighan noted the boys “have recently been able to purchase an extended repertoire of gramophone records, ‘jizzy-jazzy’ and other music.”
1924 The school orchestra, defunct since the start of the war, was revived. The library (now the Band Room at the top of the MMC) was adapted so it could hold up to one hundred and fifty people for a concert or music and choral practices, and a piano was installed.
1925 In an article to mark the school’s Diamond Jubilee, The Cranleighan concluded: “The musical reputation of Cranleigh must pass, as that of some other schools has passed, widely beyond its immediate neighbourhood… we feel sure that many in the school would welcome more opportunities for music, for hearing and taking part in singing and playing, and that the number to whom music is pleasant and valuable would increase with the opportunity. The musical staff at the school was never stronger than it is today, and with enthusiasm under their direction what might not be accomplished? The value to the school, we believe, would be in all ways inestimable.”
1927 The Inter-House Singing Competition, in abeyance since 1911, was revived but not everyone was enthusiastic. One boy recalled: “Since music had a slightly ‘sissy’ connotation, houses with a reputation for toughness to defend were apt to serve up the drinking song from The Beggar’s Opera, bawled by members of the 1st XV, in preference to the ‘Nymphs and Shepherds’ type of madrigal favoured by some of the more sensitive participants.”
1928 Music played a key role in the Pageant, held on the golf course in aid of the fund for a new Chapel organ. It included “early church music and minstrels’ songs, madrigals, rounds and folk songs, dances in three episodes, and much orchestral music, specially composed.”
To read ‘Part One’ (1864-1900), click here.
