MANY congratulations are in order for St Joseph’s School’s Launceston Senior Chamber Choir members, who passed their Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Dean’s and Bishop’s Awards.

The following were all successful in the Dean’s Award: Charlotte Nuta and Tilly Cartwright, who both passed with Merits, and Cathryn Nuta and Hattie Loe who both passed with Distinctions. Rosanna Rowe and Beth Spink were very successful in the prestigious Bishop’s Award and both passed with Distinctions.

These national RSCM examinations test a wide range of knowledge and understanding. Not only did everyone have to perform up to four pieces of music, perform aural and sight-singing tests, but they had to undertake a very rigorous and lengthy viva-voce exam, answering questions on the Church’s calendar, liturgy, suitable music for the different services and seasons within the church, compare, contrast and analyse anthems and discuss their musical experience and contribution within the choir too — no mean feat.

Tilly, Hattie, Rosanna and Beth were presented with their distinctive green and purple ribbons by the Dean and Bishop at a special service at Truro Cathedral last Saturday. Cathryn and Charlotte were sadly unable to join them, having successfully auditioned for Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, the largest specialist music school in the UK.

St Joseph’s has been entering candidates for the Dean’s Award since 1995 and the Bishop’s Award since 1999 and, according to RSCM Headquarters, has had the highest total number of successful RSCM Dean’s and Bishop’s Award winners in the whole of the South West.