July 2024 Volume 20

Douglas Forrest - the Music-loving Hunter!

Rev. Dr. Barry Davies
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Explaining and solving the mystery as to why there was always a continuing abundance of trebles in the 1950s and1960s!

In addition to all his duties first as 2 nd Master, and then as Headmaster, Douglas Forrest took upon himself the task of choosing and recruiting the choir members himself! His method was always successful. How did he accomplish that?

Every boy coming into the first forms of the school was auditioned in a form-by-form assembly held annually for this purpose. Home Room teachers would bring the boys into the area at Cloverly where there was a piano.

Click on the play button to play Headmaster, Douglas Forrest composition:

My task, as the Choir Director, using a “treble” voice, was to sing a variety of notes for each boy to repeat. Accuracy, quality, and musical versatility were noted, and each successful singer was told about the “honour” of having been chosen. The boys then attended the twice-weekly after-school rehearsals, after Mr. Forrest had first informed the parents, and, where necessary, made arrangements for their sons to be taken home (sometimes by Mr. Forrest himself, or an old boy who had been at the rehearsals).

The choir became a sort of “Family” with everyone willingly doing his part.

But there is more! At each of the audition sessions, after being thoroughly impressed by one or two obviously musical singers, Mr. Forrest would declare: “And there are our soloists for this year” He was always right!

Please listen to his choice for the 1960 Carib Theatre KC Choir Concert with Norman Byfield singing “Hear My Prayer” with the companion anthem “O For the Wings of a Dove”.

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