major lesson that I learned from the talks was that in today's society the only way to keep a marriage going, or any relationship for that matter, is to talk through all the problems with your partner. I consider this a vital lesson for life.

The talks were enjoyed by everyone who took part and I recommend them to next year's Sixth Form. I should like to thank Fr Pargeter for organising them and the counsellors for giving them.

Footnote: Heard on leaving the second session: `Me get married? No way'. Time will tell!

A J Tye

Music Notes

For those with musical interests and ability it has been a rewarding year. There are now forty-five pupils learning instruments and, for the summer concert, the choir numbered forty-three strong.

The Michaelmas term opened with preparation for the Open Day instrumental concert. There was little time to put together a completely fresh programme for this concert and one or two items were to continue in the repertoire from the previous summer's Speech Day concert. However, the orchestra, into which were welcomed some new players, ably responded and new items on the programme included Memory from Cats and Tourdion, an arrangement

of a French dance. Solos were played by Susan Wood and Simon Ferguson.

At the end of term, the choir were to give two services of Lessons and Carols. The first of these took place at All Saints' Church, Leek. We were invited to take up one slot in a series of special Evening Services for Advent. The second, using the same choral music but Christmas Carols instead of the Advent hymns used at Leek, took place in the College church as the end-of-term service. The choir items included Birthday Carol arr. Willcocks; A maiden

most gentle arr. Carter; Adam lay y bounden (Boris Ord)

and the very demanding but really well-performed A Babe is born by William Mathias.

During the Lent term, the orchestra continued to rehearse and the choir continued to serve our Sunday worship. However, most rehearsal time was taken up with our musical production, Godspell. From first rehearsal to dress rehearsal took only five and a half weeks. The cast even came back a day early at half-term to help make props and construct the set. Godspell was enjoyable hard work. At times it seemed as if the cast were one happy family. I don't think anyone actually sang "one-two-bounce-clap" during Day by Day, even if that were going through their minds.

Just after Godspell, not to be out-done, Forms One and Two entertained a select audience with Jonah and Sweeny Todd: plenty of talent for future musicals here!

The Summer Term saw the launch of a new venture:

a series of Sunday Concerts, held in the church. As well as taking interested pupils to events such as Halle Orchestra concerts and Opera at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, it was decided to bring live music to the College. These concerts were open to all pupils and to the general public.

For the audience who had braved the snow, the first concert on 28th April was very exciting. Stafford G.E.C. Association choir and orchestra performed the Requiem by Cherubini. It was a thrilling experience to hear over a hundred performers in the lively acoustic of the church.

Other items included orchestral works by Handel, Elgar an Mozart.

In contrast, on Sunday 12th May, the college was host to the Cambrian Brass Quintet from the Birmingham School of Music. These five effervescent musicians entertained a large audience with a programme of classical, light and popular music. A most enjoyable evening.

On Sunday, 16th June, the Hausmusik Consort made a return visit to Cotton. This year they gave a completely Baroque programme, including the Bach Double Violin Concerto and Marcello's Oboe Concerto. The choir were to earn their outings this year, for this concert also included the choral worksZadok the Priest by Handle and Pergolesi's setting of the Magnificat for choir, soloists and orchestra. The choir coped well with this demanding music, especially the contrapuntal sections of the Magnificat and thoroughly deserved the lengthy appreciative applause from the nearcapacity audience.

I should like to express my thanks to all who took part in these concerts and especially to Mrs Prince and members of the domestic staff who looked after the organisation and refreshment of audience and performers so well.

The College orchestra and wind band performed on Speech Day. The programme for this concert included arrangements of parts of Handel's Fireworks Music and Jupiter from Holst's Planets Suite. Solos were played by Simon Ferguson, Vincent Whelan and Dominic Weston. Simon Ferguson has also been playing in the Moorlands Music Centre Orchestra throughout the year and I am pleased to report that he has been offered a place in the Staffordshire County Wind Orchestra next year.

As a post-script, it is worth noting one musical phenomenon that this writer has had nothing to do with - that of the James brothers' group. They make a very professional sound, even if it may be a little loud for some tastes. In the charts in a couple of years? Their performance at the end-of-year dance would seem to merit this.

I should like to mention by name all those pupils who have worked so well during the year in helping to produce music of high standard. Space does not permit individual mention but my thanks to all of you, especially the choir who give up so much free time.

Only two members of the College (Upper 6th) involved in all this have left at the end of the year. Given the foundations laid this year and an intake of new talent, I confess that at the time of writing this I am at a loss as to what to do next year. Whatever this turns out to be, it's going to be

fun!

Pi