WALL HANGINGS
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever and this Mandala fashioned out of one fine piece of linen thread is just that. Some variations on the theme below. Contact me if interested. Congratulations to Susie Harkin for her astonishing craft work.
GOOD BYE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Philip Bolton director of music at Inst with pupils Isaac Scholes (left) an Ben Crawford. Pic Mal McCann Irish News.
All God’s creatures got a place in the choir
Some sing low some sing higher
Some sign out loud on the telephone wire
And some just clap their hands or paws or anything they got now.
If you know the tune of this popular folk song, it will stick in your mind for the rest of the day. It’s happy and it’s catchy and it’s joyful. You could say much the same for the Inst gala concert last Friday night, 11th April 2025, a date to savour for Philip Bolton as it was his last day as director of music at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, known throughout the world as Inst; after 37 years teaching at the school, he is retiring from the academic podium although not laying down his baton.
Talking to him before the concert he told me: “Yes, it will be emotional but I’ll be concentrating on the music, the musicians and the choir. With 200 young men on stage it will be a wonderful concert and a special occasion for the boys to appear in front of their families and friends.”
Such is his enthusiasm for his subject he’s had no problem engaging his pupils, especially when it came to forming the gala choir.
“No one was press ganged, voluntary for those who want to sing and play in the Waterfront Hall, a good experience for the boys to perform before an audience of 1800.”
Not only was it a lesson in performance but also teaching skills for lighting and sound, organising and supporting as the entire evening was hosted by pupils. Even the guest chairman for the evening was an old boy of the school, Pete Snodden.
Leaving A Legacy
Philip is into his second generation of pupils but he says little has changed in those years, the same music appeals and he prides himself in being up to date with what’s in the charts as well as the classics. “Great music never dies, whether its Dire Straits or Stravinsky.” And both were in the programme alongside Paul McCartney, Ravel, heavy metal and rock and roll thanks to the way Philip Bolton embraces all shades of colour in his musical repertoire. No wonder the boys flocked to his classes and did him proud on Friday.
The ages range from 12 to 18, from young voices to mature young men and with rehearsals beginning last September all was ready and excitement high. 16 year old Isaac Scholes played cello and guitar for pieces as diverse as the Madness number ‘Baggy Trousers’ as well as classical and jazz.
“I’m looking forward to the experience,” he said last week, “but kind of dreading it because it’s Mr. Boltons last night and we’ll miss him. We appreciate that he has taught us the importance of being part of something bigger than we normally experience, it’s a good feeling and it will be cool to see the audience enjoying the concert.” Others I talked to agree, a man they respect and enjoy for his love of music and the wide range of composition. One Inst grandson has carried on Mr. Bolton’s teaching by moving into the world of becoming a DJ and the other hot on his heels with guitar and keyboard. If music be the food of love, play on.
Pic Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
Philip admits there are always stars emerging and one who has already hit the big time is 40 year old Courtney Lewis who is currently celebrating ten years as conductor and music director with the Jacksonville Symphony in Floria. “We are very proud of him, in fact I took a party of boys to Jacksonville to watch him in action and he was kind enough to introduce them to some highly respected musicians and gave them an insight into conducting and performance.”
A Man Of Music
His colleagues say he’s meticulous, can adapt anything, even shape a selection of widely differing styles into a ten minute montage and has a great sense of humour. He was awarded an MBE for services to music in Northern Ireland and was invited to conduct the Priory Singers with members of Northern Ireland Opera at the memorial service in St. Anne’s Cathedral following the death of Queen Elizabeth and in the presence of the new King Charles, something he considers a great honour. Alongside the founder, the late Dr. Harry Grindle, Phillip was there at the formation of the choir in 1986 and now as their conductor has travelled far and wide with the Singers. So the future promises to be a busy one for Philip Bolton. Following one long period of teaching, it’s onto more and more stimulating musical experiences with the Priory Singers but there will be a sadness at leaving his pupils at Inst.
Whether it’s Brothers in Arms or Zadock the Priest, Friday’s concert brought lots of love and appreciation in the Waterfront Hall for Mr. Bolton from the boys, his colleagues and parents as they said thank you and wished him well.
I am fascinated the way delicate daisies follow the sun – that why they are called a Days-eye. You can track the hour of the day with these little flowers, I saw their big brothers fringing fields in Africa, thousand of sun flowers all looking the same way.
I can hardly bear the tension. Will he or won’t he. Oh please Rory, keep a cool head and a keen eye and bring home the beautiful green jacket. We’ll see. Another blue sky morning but a tricky little wind and news from Donegal that the hailstones are bouncing. Isn’t the weather a wonderful thing, as they say in Ireland if you don’t like it, just wait a minute. Our beautiful magnolia tree is on the way out, more petals on the ground than on the branches but like so many things in life, it was lovely while it lasted. Happy days.