Email 2005

John Grant Re Philip Lawton

From: John Grant
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2005 9:53 pm

Philip Lawton, who was in the Prep School approximately 1995 to 1999, is appearing on TVs University Challenge representing Durham University on October 17th. Maybe you could include it on your next OC Lamb and Flag email. He is studying Classics and I may be able to get a photograph for the Newsletter if you think it worthwhile.

Best wishes

John (Hon OC)

From: Philip Lawton
Date: Monday, September 19, 2005 8:03 pm

Nick,

Hello from an Old Clayesmore-Prepian. I was at CPS from Sept 94 - July 99. While I was at Clayesmore Prep, I sang in the Chapel choir (and went on tour to S. Africa in 98). I wanted to learn the organ, so took up the piano - and then later the Double Bass.

I got an academic scholarship to Dauntsey's School, where I flourished. I picked up the organ, and continued my piano, double bass and singing all the way through to my Upper VIth. I picked up the Lower-School, Middle-School, and Upper-School prizes for music along the way. In my AS year, I was selected as an exceptional young composing talent, and had a specially written piece professionally premiered at the Purcell Room, London, as part of showcase of young composers in Britain.
During my last year, I was organ scholar at the nearby church of St. John the Baptist, Devizes, under Jon Riding.

I got ABB in Physics, Maths and Chemistry at A-level (and a B in AS Latin) and went off to Durham to study Chemistry at Hatfield College. I spent a brilliant year, getting involved in Chapel Choir (I'm Junior Organ Scholar for my college), The Students' Union (Chair of Council), ChemSoc (Secretary), and of course - Durham University Light Opera Group (I played Sir Roderic in their production of G&S's Ruddigore).
The highlight of the year though, was achieving a dream of mine - to be on University Challenge. We played St. Hilda's, Oxford in a very close match - and that's broadcast on October 17th, 2005.

Choir's been good, too - we've sung Evensong all over the North - obviously in Durham Cathedral, but also York Minster and Hexham Abbey; and we spent a week in residence at Rochester Cathedral during the summer - singing a cathedral week.

However, Chemistry wasn't for me, so this year, I'm starting a BA in Classics, instead. I remain as Junior Organ Scholar, and all my other things, and I look forward to a year just as prosperous.

Philip Lawton (CPS 94-99)