Identity area
Reference code
SJCR/SJAR/8/2/4/7
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 2010-2019 (Creation)
Level of description
Sub-sub-sub-series
Extent and medium
2 items, paper
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Program for the Ascension Day Carol from the Chapel tower.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
The custom of the Ascension Day carol dates from 1902 and was begun by the then Director of Music, Cyril Rootham, following a conversation with Sir Joseph Larmor. Sir Joseph was insistent that a choir on top of the tower would not be heard from the ground. Rootham was keen to prove Larmor wrong and saw Ascension Day was the obvious time to do it. Without telling anyone apart from the members of the choir, they ascended to the tower and as the clock finished striking noon, they started to sing an Ascension Day motet. To Rootham's delight, he saw Sir Joseph open his window in the courtyard below to see where the music was coming from. The event proved very popular as people gathered below to listen and since then it has been repeated every year. Although the Choir can be heard from the ground, to ensure that the best quality of sound is heard by those listening below an amplification system is now used.