11 July 2005
John has been a stalwart of the choir for two centuries - not all of the last one, of course. He is well known and admired for his phenomenal memory, perspicacity and wit. Well - his wit anyway. He also has a special relationship with Musical Director Andrea Clifford, who repeatedly uses John as the butt for jokes. John usually laughs at these jokes, which is a worry to his friends.
Some of us thought, until yesterday, that John M must be the oldest member of the Choir - but not so. Versatile honorary second tenor John Prout quietly passed his eightieth on 27th June, beating John M by a couple of weeks! After this discovery we scrambled to include both Johns in the Opera House steps 'Happy Birthday' (conducted by them with sublime incompetence - but the singing was even worse!).
Warmest congratulation to both Johns - each shining examples of the youth giving effects of singing in a choir!