Day 9 - Rubin again

Yo homies. What is up? Just some colloquial jargon I've picked up from this foreign land. Anyway, I'm back by popular demand, and I'd like to start by apologising for the lateness of this blog post. We arrived at Woodberry Forest School late last night and there was no means of internet until this morning.

Yesterday was, for want of a better word, interesting. Having departed Philadelphia, we continued the long running choir tradition of reading bed time stories to each other on the coach, whilst John Gowers honed his creative writing skills (which are already very formidable, might I add) by writing a story himself, involving James Harkness and a cup of very strong Earl Grey. Seemingly as if no time had passed, we had arrived at the Washington National Cathedral where we dumped our bags and headed straight for the Washington Zoo. Unfortunately the weather in Washington was wet to say the least and the torrential downpours put a slight dampener on things (no pun intended…honestly). However we made the most of this opportunity: most of B block spent their half an hour’s free time in the Starbucks across the road, whilst E and F block weren’t awarded this freedom and so spent their time in the Zoo restaurant. We did see some animals, of course; there were zebras and ostriches, the Highys saw some pandas, and Ralph Allwood saw a pigeon.

Soaking wet, we returned to the cathedral to rehearse for the evensong. Tom Norrington was given the honour of conducting the warm up, which consisted of the entire choir singing Alex Robarts' name in an arpeggiated fashion (very good for creating space and looseness in the back of the jaw, enabling us to sing like angels). The evensong went very well, with the psalms sounding better than ever and the anthem (Howells' ‘One Thing Have I Desired’) being sung with great gusto.

 

Washington National Cathedral, among the world's 20 largest churches

After the evensong something truly wonderful happened. Love at first sight is a rare thing, but Henry Seabright was blessed to be a part of it. Arm in arm with his faithful wingman, Rubin Patel, he approached a fair maiden whom he had glimpsed from afar and went in for the kill. Things were going quite well before the choir had to leave, but alas! Poor Henry, bless him, isn’t very confident in these situations and didn’t even ask her name (he was a blubbery mess, I tell you). However, all was not lost yet, as the brave and courageous George Wilders started blowing her kisses and threw them towards Henry, and before long two of her giggling friends came running towards him wielding a piece of paper bearing her contact details. Her first name, by sheer coincidence only, is shared by my great friend Mrs Seabright, Henry’s mother (Mrs. Seabright I really, really hope you are reading this blog…you can thank me later). Alex’s Eager and Robarts even got in on the action, returning to the cathedral later to hand over Henry’s details to her. Anyway, a great success all round, and in the words of the great American organist David Goode, “Way to go!!”
We were then treated to an OEA reception. The OEs are one of the main reasons that this choir tour is so heavily subsidised, so it was an honour for us to sing Under the Sea to them in the steadiest tempo yet. The Incognitos also performed their usual set, which was very well received.

We then hopped back on the coach and made our way to Virginia, with Hamish McLaren still flushed with embarrassment from his entire family being present at the Washington evensong. John Clay was treated to some interesting dancing from certain members of B block and Rupert Scarratt continually laughed like the seals at Washington Zoo. Hugh Cross couldn't stop shouting and Charlie Marshall still wouldn’t sit down, despite McLaren’s sternest Scottish efforts. Finally we arrived at Woodberry Forest School, where we were shown into a large hall with 40 mattresses. The staff were to sleep elsewhere, meaning B block were in charge. A good night was had by all.
Here endeth the sewage.

Sewage

Rubes
P.S. 2,500 views!!! And 6 pounds 30!!! I know you’re there, but don’t hide from us. Comment!!!

P.P.S Two members of the choir have birthdays today: Alex Eager and Daniel Parr...Many happy returns!