CHAPLAIN ’ S REPORT
Spiritual culture
In the Anglican tradition of worship , the beauty of music and the arts has always been valued as a means of experiencing both the force and the intimacy of all that is divine ; a sense of the transcendence and immanence of God . Personal space , together with the profound spirituality offered in choral settings of sacred texts , allows us to engage with the divine in our own way , and at our own pace . It is a joy that in our School and Chapel we encourage this place for all the Arts ; in 2016 there have been some significant opportunities to do so .
In the Chapel of St Mary and St George the Chapel Choir regularly sings the ‘ ordinary ’ of the Eucharist and / or anthems . Our musicians have occasions when they can render solo or ensemble pieces of music or choral work . This year the Chapel Choir along with trumpets , trombones and strings , sang the Kyrie , Sanctus and Agnus Dei of Jean Langlais ’ Missa Salve Regina at our Term 3 Commencement Eucharist . At the D ’ Arcy Slater Memorial 25th Anniversary Service , Jonathan Choong ( 10Fr ), Jeremy Choong ( 8Fr ) and Daniel Wee ( 10Fr ) played Felix Mendelssohn ’ s Piano Trio No 1 , D Minor , Op . 49 . I am grateful to Mr David Gething , School Organist & Director , Chapel Choir , for arranging groups of singers from each of the Houses to sing at their biennial House Services .
One art form that has been encouraged is dance , and in most years toward the end of Term 3 , Ms Jane Diamond , Head of the Arts , has choreographed a performance in which a passage from Holy Scripture is interpreted to movement and music . These have been wonderful collaborative efforts in a quite exciting but exacting space . This year we were privileged to have a special work commissioned for celebrations relating to the victory of light over darkness as represented by the Holy Cross . While such a work might be thought more Easter related it was most appropriate in our celebration of the Recognition of the Holy Cross , which takes place during September in the liturgical calendar . Dr Gerard Brophy , our composer-in-residence , and composer of the Chapel ’ s celebratory Centennial setting of the Ordinary , wrote a setting of the Easter Exultet or Easter Proclamation which is the hymn of praise sung normally before the paschal candle during the Easter Vigil after a procession with the candle and before the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word . Dr Brophy linked the singing of the Exultet with The Lord ’ s Prayer , which unlike the Exultet , which was sung in Latin , was sung in the local Noongar language . To enrich this choral work there was string quartet accompaniment and interpretative dance by the School ’ s Indigenous dance troupe , Boodjar Bidi , under the direction
of Indigenous Education Co-ordinator , Mr Andrew Beck . It was a special experience for all in attendance and a singular moment in the life of the School to have that most wellknown and foundational of Christian prayers , The Lord ’ s Prayer , not only sung beautifully and respectfully , in the Noongar language , but skilfully interpreted by Indigenous students from throughout Australia .
Drama comes to the Chapel each year on Palm Sunday , when the Year 11 Drama students , under the direction of Ms Jane Diamond , interpret afresh the story of Jesus ’ Passion , those last days of Jesus ’ life from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem , his institution of the Eucharist , the Washing of the Disciple ’ s Feet , the Giving of the two Great Commandments , to his betrayal by Judas Iscariot , arrest , crucifixion and being laid to rest in a borrowed grave . Each year we are granted new insights as each new group accentuates different aspects of the story .
Our School is one where the Arts play an invaluable role in the quality and diversity of our lives ; the Chapel in the best traditions of Anglican worship and ecclesiology plays its role for the fruits of the Arts give greater expression and understanding of the Faith we proclaim .
Rev ’ d Dr Philip Raymont Senior Chaplain
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