One of this summer’s Library displays explores the history (and present!) of music at Gray’s Inn.
The life of Gray’s Inn, while naturally constructed with the law at its core, has always extended beyond this.
Medieval Music
The oldest musical item held in the Gray’s Inn Archive is this sheet from a 13th/14th century musical manuscript, which was found in the binding of another book in the Inn’s collections. We have no record of how exactly it ended up in the Inn’s possession.
It is originally from a Breviary (a book of Christian liturgy used for praying the hours of the day) and is the notation for three monastic chants: one for Good Friday and two for Holy Saturday.
Masques
In the Elizabethan period, the Inns of Court functioned primarily as universities or ‘finishing schools’, where young noblemen would learn courtly etiquette alongside their studies.
Masques were a popular form of courtly entertainment during this time – a play involving music and dancing, that usually flattered the masque’s patron. They were frequently performed at the Inns of Court, especially during the Christmas revels. Thomas Campion – a lute player, Gray’s member and one of the most famous poets of the Elizabethan era – wrote verses for the Gray’s Inn revels in 1594.
The tradition was revived in 1887 with a performance of ‘Ye Maske of Flowers’, last played by “the gentlemen of Graies Inn” in 1614. This included authentic historical music and dance, created in collaboration with staff from the British Museum.
Choir
Though unlikely the first ever instance of a choir in Gray’s Inn Chapel, the earliest record we have of one is a letter from 1862.
Edward Hopkins wrote to Reverend Taylor suggesting the establishment of a small choir of 3 adults and either 4 or 6 choirboys. The number, he says, depends on how they would sit around the Chapel, to achieve the best acoustic effect. He estimates this would cost £100-110 per annum.
Later in the letter Hopkins also recommends replacing the Chapel organ, as the existing one was “by no means all that is desirable”.
You can collect a free CD of Mattins Music recorded by the Gray’s Inn Choir in Chapel at our main Reception – or listen to a clip of My Soul There Is A Country (clip) by Gray’s Inn
Organ
The current organ is several renovations removed from the one Mr Hopkins disparaged in his 1862 letter!
The Inn was badly damaged during the Blitz. The roof of Hall had to be rebuilt, as well as the Library, Chapel, and several chambers buildings – this included the destruction of Chapel’s previous organ.
It was replaced in the 1960s during the post-war reconstruction, but material and funding limitations meant this organ was never intended to be permanent; it used second-hand pipes, and an electro-pneumatic system that would require part replacements every 25-35 years.
When it became necessary to replace these parts, the Inn opted to instead replace the whole organ with an intentionally permanent instrument more befitting the Chapel, and that would hopefully last for generations to come.
The current organ was installed in 1993. It cost around £170,000, and was specifically designed to accommodate the needs of contemporary music.
Christopher Bowers-Broadbent
Christopher Bowers-Broadbent is the current organist and choirmaster at Gray’s Inn. He is a prolific composer of organ and choral pieces, as well as chamber operas, and regularly performs in our Summer Concerts series.
Several of Christopher Bowers-Broadbent’s works have been performed at the Inn, including a production of his opera ‘The Face’ in 2012. Last summer, his children’s opera ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ was performed here in collaboration with the on-site City Junior School and the Bar Musical Society.
You can read much more about Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, and our full organ specifications.
Find out more by visiting our Library display!