St Mary's Calne
On Monday evening, the Southwell Hall at St Margaret’s Prep was filled with parents, supporters, and friends who had gathered for the much-anticipated Spring Concert from the Major Minors Children’s Choir, our talented community choir for young girls and boys. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the choir’s Musical Director, Mrs Bethan Dudley Fryar, setting a cheerful tone for the performance. She shared that the choir had enjoyed some playtime in the nearby Lime Kiln Garden, where signs of Spring had started to emerge, reminding everyone that the warmer weather and longer playtimes were just around the corner.
Throughout the Spring Term, Mrs Fryar has had the pleasure of guiding the children through a wide range of musical genres, including international folk songs, modern rhythmic choral works, and beloved pop songs. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the young singers were taking care of their voices while also expressing themselves fully through music.
The concert’s success was made even sweeter by the fact that it now includes children from nine primary schools and St Margaret’s Prep, offering children the opportunity to make new friends while sharing the joy of music. It was heartwarming to see how these young voices came together in harmony, forming lasting connections along the way. After a wonderful welcome from Mr Alex Hopkins, Head of Prep at St Margaret’s Prep, the choir positioned themselves on the stage to commence their performance.
The concert program showcased a variety of pieces, each delivered with great enthusiasm and stunning vocal performances:
• “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” by Burt Bacharach, with a beautiful solo by Major Minors Alumna Charlotte R, LIV SMC, introduced by Gabriella.
• “The Swing” from A Garland of Song by Christopher Field, introduced by Lily
• “Cuckoo” from Friday Afternoon Project by Benjamin Britten, introduced by Noa
• “There Was a Monkey” from Friday Afternoon Project by Benjamin Britten, introduced by Martha
• “Something Keeps Drinking Half of the Swimming Pool” from Friday Afternoon Project by Elliott Kendall, introduced by India
• “Half the World Away” by Noel Gallagher, introduced by Georgina
• “Burung Kakak Tua (The Cockatoo)”, a Malay folk song arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram and Mrs Fryar, performed by a trio of Georgia, Scarlet, and Lara, introduced by Samuel.
After the performance a heartfelt note of thanks was given by Mrs Anne Wakefield, Head of St Mary’s and St Margaret’s, before certificates and Easter eggs were presented to the choir members.
Mrs Dudley Fryar reflected on the success of the Spring Term:
‘I am totally blown away by the success of Major Minors and the coming together of schools to create a happy musical environment. The Spring Concert was the best performance yet with such commitment from the young voices and it was just perfect to see them having fun and enjoying every song. I am so proud of every single child and grateful to the families for supporting the choir.'
A special thank you was given to Mrs Rachel Allard, the choir's accompanist, and Mrs Michelle Weston, the choir administrator. Their tireless dedication and support are truly appreciated, with Mrs Fryar noting, ‘We couldn’t do it without them.’
Overall, the event was a resounding success, showcasing the talents of the Major Minors Children’s Choir and leaving everyone eagerly awaiting what next term will bring.
The Summer Term rehearsals start on Monday 28 April. If you would like to know more about the choir, or know a child who might like to join, please email
The Major Minors Children’s Choir is open to girls and boys in Years 3 to 6 at local primary schools who share a love of singing. The choir rehearses every Monday at St Mary’s and work on a range of songs, across different music genres, with the aim of presenting an end-of-term performance each term. As the choir has grown and developed, it has embraced the opportunity to perform at special community events.