Relayed from the Central Hall, Westminster
THE London Secondary School Music Festival originated at Dulwich High School; for several years a few schools met there annually for competition in singing and instrumental music. In 1025 the Philharmonic Choir took charge of the Festival and developed it, until now some seventy schools and colleges from London and the surrounding counties take part regularly.
Sectional competitions are held, with an adjudicator at each, who criticizes the work, and usually conducts massed singing by the competitors. Finally, the best choirs and orchestras unite to give a Festival Concert such as that which is being broadcast today. Last year the schools united to per iorm Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.
In the past there has been little opportunity or encouragement to boys and girls leaving school to continue their chora! singing and orchestral playing. In order to remedy this, the Philharmonic Choir has formed p Junior Philharmonic Choir and a Junior Orchestra for Secondary School boys and girls to join when they leave school at the age of eighteen (or college later). The Choir is trained by Mr. Charles Kennedy Scott. Conductor of the Philharmonic
Choir, to whom this whole musical scheme is largely due : and the Junior Orchestra meets under Mr. Ernest Head at the Royal Academy of music. Those wishing to join either body should write to [address removed]