Music The Choral Society, at full strength consists of about 150 members who meet for a weekly practice after school. Each form sends a representative to form a committee to manage routine affairs. It is well supported by members of the Staff, several of whom have excellent voices. In March 1945, a public performance was given of Coleridge-Taylor's Hiawatha The Wedding Feast. This was accompanied by the School Orchestra. In December 1945 parts of the Messiah were performed at the end of term service. The Society is at present continuing to work at the Messiah and it is hoped that a performance of parts of it may be given at a later date. The Sopranos and Altos lead the singing at Morning Assembly and also provide descants. It is hoped to form a smaller choir to sing in four parts. A smaller choir which sings French and German songs in those languages is trained and conducted by Mr H A Smith. The Orchestra at present numbers about 15 instruments when at full strength. The present period or weakness is consequent upon a number of senior players having recently left the school. There is a promising number of young string players receiving tuition. It meets for weekly practice and it is well supported by members of the Staff, who play the following instrument:- Violin. Viola, Cello, Flute and Clarinet. Instrumentalists from among Old Scholars and friends of the School have given their help in the past at concerts. Violin Classes are given by a visiting teacher. She is also coaching one boy on the Cello. The Junior Orchestra is trained by this teacher. Piano tuition is given by two visiting teachers on Saturday mornings. Concerts: Apart from the Annual School Concert, occasional recitals are given by visiting artists. Occasional informal recitals are given by members of staff and pupils. Facilities are available in the Music Room and in the room known as the Cell for private or collective Music-making. Greenford's Own Piano The School finally acquired its own brand new piano which was a good excuse for a recital by Margaret Woolf the first to be given on the new piano followed closely by a second concert and a carol service all in the autumn of 1946! By March the new music master. Mr A L Smith was directing the Choral and Orchestra Societies in their first post-war Concert. Discussion Groups The Literary Society is one of the oldest of the school societies. It meets fortnightly and is governed by a committee of Form representatives with a member of the Staff as chairman. The separate activities of the Society are organised by this committee with the aid of co-opted societies. The attendance varies between 30 and 100, but is generally nearer to the lower figure. The types of activity sponsored by the Literary Society include Talks and Discussions; Debates full debates, inter-school debates; Spelling, General Knowledge and Literary Bees, and 'Brains Trusts': Play Readings by school or by Staff, or by both in conjunction; Mock Council Meetings; Mock Parliaments; 'Anthologies' e.g. on animals, humour, etc. General Political Discussion Group: Smith (Form 5), Mayhook and Cleave (both 5G) started the Group in the form of a left-wing society. This was changed, however, into a political discussion society, which included all parties Labour, Conservative, etc. Later it was decided to call it the General Political Discussion Group. At the first meeting on the 27th Nowmber, 1945, Miss Harland was elected Chairman; Stall the Secretary; and Smith, Cleave (Socialists) Cave and H Beveridge (Conservatives) committee members. Early in the New Year (1946) S Meadows joined the committee, therefore making five members in all. The work of the General Political Discussion Group is to discuss or debate politics of interest to all. Some examples of the subjects discussed at the meetings are:- 'That private enterprise is beneficial for commerce'; 'That the result of the General Election was a catastrophe for the British Nation'; 'British and American Strikes'. World Affairs Discussion Group: This discussion group arose out of the attendance of 5th and 6th formers at conferences in the holidays. It is a small voluntary group and it has during the past year been responsible for activities such as reports and discussions on the Council for Education in World Citizenship's Easter and Christmas conferences; Debates on the Treatment of Post-War Japan and Nationalization of Industry versus Private Enterprise; jointly with the Literary Society Mock Council Meeting and a Mock Parliament; Inter-school lectures with 5 other Ealing Grammar Schools. MUSICAL BARGAIN STORES 256b Kingshill Avenue, Hayes, UB4 8BZ 01-845 6582 (Daytime) 01-842 2616 (After Hours) Musical Instruments bought, sold and taken in part exchange Wednesdays closed all day Sundays open 12 noon-1 p.m. page 39