THE ADDINGTON PALACE NETWORK
THE ADDINGTON PALACE NETWORK
This is the home on the internet for those with memories of the RSCM at Addington Palace (choristers, students and staff) to gather, keep in touch and exchange news and information.
Born out of the great fellowship generated at the wonderful September 2013 Reunion and celebration of RSCM choirmaster Martin How MBE, the ADDINGTON PALACE NETWORK website aims to;
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Keep the bond alive for those that were able to attend,
Maintain contact with those who couldn't make it to the event, and
Provide a radar to sweep for others out there, as yet undiscovered.
MARTIN HOW'S ILLNESS, PASSING, FUNERAL & MEMORIAL EVENT
Former RSCM Choirmaster Martin How MBE sadly died in a Croydon care home on 25 July 2022. Many messages of goodwill and memories were sent by former choristers and colleagues and they are listed here.
The Funeral was held at The Minster, (formerly known as Croydon Parish Church), on Tuesday 23rd August at 11.30am, followed by a short Committal at Croydon Crematorium with just Father Andrew in attendance.
Painting of Martin How playing the Minster's piano by S Jewell (friend of Martin's and member of the Minster congregation)
which was displayed at the funeral.
There will be a Memorial Event for Martin at Croydon Minster on Saturday 18 February 2023.
The Vicar (Fr Andrew Bishop) has agreed that it will be a "Come and Sing" Service which will be a really fitting way to celebrate Martin's life. Adrian Lucas will be directing the choir (with Roger Sayer accompanying) and they will be singing Martin's own composition "The Hope of Splendour Requiem Cantata".
The schedule is likely to be:
10am - 12:30; choir rehearsal with a break
12:30 - 1:30; choir packed lunch
2pm; Service.
3pm; Reception at the Banqueting Hall, Old Palace School (adjacent to the Minster)
NOTE: The organisers would like some idea of numbers so, if think you might be able to attend the event, could you please email and let me know by 16th December. Click here to email me. Thank you.
Former RSCM choristers have expressed a wish that the event is recorded on video, so that those who are unable to attend can see it on the internet later. The Addington Palace Network has agreed to fund the production and contributions towards the cost would be appreciated. More details will follow in due course.
The October/November 2022 edition of The Croydon Minster Parish Magazine was dedicated to the memory of Martin. It is a wonderful production full of fascinating memories and can be downloaded here.
MEMORIES FROM OUR PAST
Our growing photograph collection, contributed from many sources, consists of;
Pictures of the choristers and staff
Pictures of the Reunion in September 2013.
Pictures
of Martin How's presentation "Music is Life" at Croydon Minster in June 2019.
Pictures of Addington Palace. (Unless
otherwise credited, photos are reproduced by permission of the RSCM and should not be copied for any media or commercial use without written permission
from the RSCM.)
Pictures
of Documents and Memorabilia related to the Choir and Choristers.
Members of the Addington Palace choir - A list of choristers and students from the
1950s to 1970s.
We also have a video from the 1960s showing Scouts and Choristers.
A video of Martin How on the Croydon Minster organ in 2018
Recordings of Martin How in 1993 playing the organs then installed at Addington Palace. Many thanks to Melanie Plumley.
Elegy in memory of Gerald Knight, played by Martin How on the 1931 Harrison & Harrison organ in the Chapel of the Royal School of Church Music at Addington Palace, Croydon.. Thanks to Melanie Plumley.
BBC Choral Evensong at Westminster Abbey in 1987. RSCM choir conducted by Martin How.
BBC Choral Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral. RSCM 1983 Summer Course directed by Martin How.
Martin How's composition "Day by Day". Minnesota Compline Choir 2009
THE REUNION ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2013
Text of the Speech by Brian Weller.
Article from the Croydon Advertiser.
NEWS
ROBERT PRIZEMAN 1952-2021
Former RSCM Addington Palace chorister Robert 'Bob' Prizeman sadly died in September 2021 aged 69. Robert joined the choir at St Philip's, Norbury in the 1960s, becoming their choirmaster by the age of 18. He became a chorister at Addington Palace in the early 1970s, maintaining his close involvement with the RSCM for the rest of his life, and becoming an Associate in 2010.
An accomplished composer, he wrote the theme tune to BBC's "Songs of Praise" (remaining as musical advisor to the programme), and founded the highly successful boys choir Libera, which was formed from the choir of St Philip's and travelled throughout the world, including performing for two Popes. He described the choir's music as "spiritual but accessible".
He was still organist at St Philip's in his final years. Libera's latest album, "If", was released in October.
An Organist Remembers - Roy Massey shares his "Memories of a Life in Cathedral Music" in his book, published by the RSCM.
Roy Massey is one of the most influential organists and choir trainers of the past 50 years. In this fascinating memoir, Roy takes us from his beginnings as a treble in Birmingham, to his time as Warden of the RSCM at Addington Palace in the 1960s, Director of Music at Birmingham Cathedral, then at Hereford for over twenty-five years, where he directed the Three Choirs Festival many times. In his retirement, Roy has been no less busy, serving a term as President of the Royal College of Organists and as a much sought-after organ recitalist.
Roy's memoirs are engaging and fascinating, and the reader will enjoy the story as well as the many characters that have influenced Roy's career along the way.
Click here for more details, and the RSCM plans to release a recording of an interview with Roy about the book in due course.
Recordings of Martin How in 1993 playing the organs then installed at
Addington Palace. Many thanks to Melanie Plumley of P H Music.
The RSCM book about their Addington Palace years is now available at the RSCM shop. Copies can be ordered
online and there are two editions, Paperback £26.25 and Hardback at £47.25.
click here to purchase a copy.
Who knows - you may be in it!
OTHER LINKS
The website of the Royal School of Church Music.
The website of Addington Palace.
David Thorne Music, the work of a former RSCM student.
The National Archive of Recorded Church
Music, the website about a fascinating collection by Colin Brownlee.
Ashley Stafford's "Il Corpo
Cantante" singing workshops and courses.
For comments or contributions, please email Richard Gilbert.
Last updated 9 December 2022