The Victorian December 1983: JCG Girls Impressions of the College, and a College Revue

Three little maids from school are we,
Pert as a schoolgirl well can be. Filled to the brim with girlish glee,
Come from a ladies' seminary.

The one thing that adds a little spice to life at J.C.G. is the short period of time spent up at the school on the hill. The majority of the J.C.G. sixth form pupils venture at some time to the 'home' of our male counterparts, whether for lessons, sport or cucumber sandwiches! There you are sitting in your comfortable easy chair in the warmth of our J.C.G. sixth form centre, when suddenly the bell rings and you realise you have precisely fifteen minutes (our break) to get up to `Vic!!Armed with our pullovers, scarves, legwarmers, hats, gloves and ... thermal underwear(?) we dash to the front steps where our chariot should be awaiting us — but never is.

After braving the wind and rain for ten minutes a taxi for seven finally rolls up to collect thirteen of us. There is a mad scramble for the seats leaving six poor souls to wait another ten minutes for the next cab. After dodging the College House boys who seem to think that Mont Millais is their own private property, we finally turn into the one and hopefully only Victoria College.

So how does this school compare with the one we have just left? Well for a start it seems to be overrun with males! Some are respectably dressed in rather dashing black suits, and others in not so dashing black gowns, who when in full flight towards a miscreant, distinctly resemble a bat homing in on its prey! Of course there is the latest arrival of the 'elite' society in the sixth year. They strut around in grey suits with an umbrella over their arm — even in bright sunlight! Perhaps one could be excused for thinking this is the latest in parasol fashion? Having been abandoned in the courtyard we proceed to the relative comfort of the seventh-year library.

However, despite what some of the boys think, the girls are not up there for them, and as the bell goes we, with great enthusiasm, make a bee-line for the signing-in book, so that we cannot be accused of skiving. Lessons are much the same as at 'the school across the valley' apart from the obvious temperature drop — maybe associated with the change in altitude? Nothing to do with the heating system of course!

Thursday is the highlight of the week for the hockey players. As 2 o'clock approaches (minus their hockey boots indoors we might add!) an influx of determined females swarm onto the 'Vic' hockey pitch ready to do battle and intent on going for the boys' legs and not the ball.

But, alas, the time comes when we have to leave the elegant surroundings, the witty conversation and the ego-boosting glances, yet there will always be another day to ascend the hill, to meet and enjoy it with the boys .... conversation that is!

Three young ladies?

This term has been quite busy from a musical point of view. Despite exam pressures successful summer concert took place on Sunday, 17th July, in the Great Hall. The audience was fairly large and they appreciated a wide variety of music. The evening began with the junior choir singing a group of 'sea and shore' songs. This was followed by an energetic yet accurate performance by the wind ensemble. Their rendition of 'Suite for Seven' was well appreciated by the audience. 

Following this were a series of several solo pieces. Jeremy Averty on trombone, Paul Christmas on clarinet and Michael Johnson on flute all performed their pieces very well. A trio of third year musicians then came on to play 'Apple Pie Rag'. This lively piece was very popular with the audience and the bright melody was fully justified by these young musicians. The first half was concluded by Alan Hilton who played Grieg's 'Sonata in A Minor' on the piano. Despite having his music almost blown from his sight he continued and completed an inspired performance.

The second half was started by Ian Rumfitt who played Handel's 'Organ Concerto'. The organ was utilised excellently by one of College's best performers for several years. The evening was concluded by the senior choir who sung the `Magnificat' by Pergolesi.

They were backed by a small orchestra and the two continued to give an entertaining and enjoyable performance of this renowned piece of music. All in all, very appreciative.

On the following day, there was a short concert by the junior school during which several of the aforementioned items were performed. Once again the audience was pleasingly large and the younger boys were encouraged on seeing a large number of parents there.

There was, however, a very poor number of people for a lunchtime recital in the town church on 16th May. The programme was entirely instrumental and consisted of the brass and wind ensembles and several soloists. The recital was concluded with all' the performers playing a medley from 'My Fair Lady'.

It was a shame that the audience for this was so small and there is no doubt that the players' performances were affected by this. It is very encouraging for the boys to be playing to a large audience and it would be nice if they did receive the recognition and support they deserve.

One individual performance worth noting this term was by Andrew Hunt. Andrew was selected to play his viola in the National Children's Orchestra. Congratulations are certainly due to him. T.D.C.

The College One Night Stand

As the curtain went up, light dawned on the first (and hopefully not last) College Revue. The rehearsals, which had numbered at least two, foretold a dramatic performance, filled with music, humour and basic raw talent.

The one evening performance had attracted an immense crowd which packed the Howard Davis Theatre to bursting point, and the cast were determined to prove their versatility and enthusiasm. Humour, provided mostly by Messrs. Campanini and Sanchez, was raucous and at times below the belt, but enjoyed by all, especially their fourth year counterparts who had overtaken the centre of the audience.

Music came by way of guitars and melodic voices via the nimble fingering and earth shattering singing of John Poole,- Adi Staite, Eric Maclnnes and Kris Henley. College's answer to Swan Lake came just before the interval with Bill Hickling, Dave Thain, Simon Philpot, Michelle Georgelin and Catherine Carnegie's rendition of the infamous 'Fame'. After the well-earned break the audience was treated to the delights of Chris Busel's fourth year band, reliving the days of early “Jam'.

The evening was brought to an outstanding climax with Martin Postlethwaite and his three voluptuous females with their `funky electronic beat, man!'

Then, much to his reluctance, the producer, director and all-round man of substance was given his call up into the limelight. I speak, of course, of "The man", as the old saying goes, without whom none of this night of entertaining eccentricity would have occurred!