New Barnabas Allan Clayton & OV reunions

New Barnabas Group Member is Allan Clayton

Tuesday 25th September, saw an incredibly special Barnabas Day here at King’s. Inspired by St Barnabas, 'son of encouragement', our Barnabas speakers are distinguished, inspirational OVs who have excelled in their chosen profession and come into school to share their experiences and to motivate and inspire current pupils.

The newest member of the Barnabas Group, Allan Clayton (H 91-99) is established as one of the most exciting and sought after singers of his generation. Allan garnered huge praise as the lead role in Brett Dean’s Hamlet, which had its world premiere at Glyndebourne in June 2017. This performance gained rave reviews and saw Allan win several prizes and accolades including the 2018 Whatsonstage Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera. Allan also sang the role of David in Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Summer 2018 saw Allan return to Glyndebourne to perform Handel’s Saul, yet again receiving huge praise and commendation.

Allan’s awards are many and recently they include 2018 Royal Philharmonic Society Singer Award and Best Male Performer in Australia’s prestigious Helpmann Awards.

Allan began his Barnabas Day by giving an inspirational address in College Hall, remembering his time at King’s. He talked of how lucky he felt to try a variety of activities at school and whilst he spent a large amount of time as a chorister, he also enjoyed rugby, football and many other hobbies. He encouraged all the pupils to enjoy their time at school and explained that he wasn’t sure until later on in his University studies of the career path he wanted to pursue. You can listen to his talk in full here.

Throughout the day, Allan gave a fantastic masterclass to three King’s singers where he workshopped a chosen piece with each of them, offering technical and performance advice.

Both St Alban’s and King’s Hawford schools enjoyed a visit from Allan who was delighted to meet some younger members of the school, including current choristers. Allan was most jealous that the boys now get Tuesdays and Saturdays off from choir practice as he used to attend daily! The pupils were able to ask many questions from ‘What is your favourite opera’ and ‘What countries have your performed in’, all the way through to ‘Do you own a comb?’.  

Allan met Headmaster, Matthew Armstrong, and Head of School, Sam Martyn-Smith to sign the prestigious Barnabas book where he was presented with his Barnabas shield. Lunch at the Headmaster's House was followed with a truly superb recital where Allan delighted an audience of music students, scholars and members of staff with a resounding repertoire in College Hall, the perfect finish to a magnificent day. Our sincerest thanks go to Allan for making space in a full schedule to come and share his experiences and incredible talent with us all.

LORD TAVERNERS CUP FINAL REUNION 40 YEARS ON

2018 marks 40 years since King’s Worcester U15 1st Cricket team reached the final of the Lord Taverners Cup Final at the Oval. To mark the occasion, Steve Hobbs (Cl 74-81) brought together teammates Richard Westley (W 72-81), Mark Lake (Br 76-81), Peter Campling (Ca 72-81), Nick Hales (S 74-81), John Vincent (Br 74-81), George Trowbridge (S 77-79), Ben Vivian (Cl 71-81) and Robert Ganderton (Cl 74-81) for a dinner in Worcester and tours of school. Liz and Sophie from the Development & Alumni Relations office were delighted to meet the group and show them around old school haunts and the newer buildings on site. An extra special treat to proceedings was the presence of former teacher and cricket coach Ian Brown (Hon OV) who came back to reunite with his successful team from 1978. Once the task of recognising each other was over, the group seemed like they had never been apart, remembering all the highs and lows of their cricketing days and their time at King’s. College Hall brought memories of exams and assemblies flooding back, as did entering School House where the boarders were able to find the exact spots their beds were in, and the Annett Building where many of the dayboys were based. A drink at the Farriers Arms (another reminiscent trip down memory lane), was followed by a dinner, where the early birds of the group departed at 2am!

Here is a photo from their school cricket days!