Walmsley sent a get well soon card to Britten and recevied this note in return.
The letter card is signed and Britten has written 'Hope the choir's going well!'
Walmsley sang in the Wandsworth School Boys' Choir.
Walmsley's get well card is found in file ref no. BBA/GREETINGS/ILLNESS_2
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Walmsley was a pupil at Wandsworth School from 1965 to 1972 and a keen member of the Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir during his time at the school, initially singing treble and later as a bass once his voice changed
He was chosen to sing at a number of public concerts which included several of Britten’s compositions. Amongst these was the Spring Symphony at the Festival Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in October 1966 with soloists Peter Pears, Heather Harper and Janet Baker. Although not known to Walmsley at the time, Britten was in the audience which was when his interest was drawn to the choir.
The choir sang the Spring Symphony again the following year, this time with Britten conducting. In the July of 1967 Walmsley was part of the choir chosen to sing the War Requiem at the Concertgebouw Concert Hall as part of that year’s Holland Festival and in December of that year Britten attended the school Christmas Concert when the choir performed Ceremony of Carols.
In March 1968 Walmsley read in the newspapers that Britten had been hospitalised. There was a concern amongst the choir, not only for his health, but also because they were due to sing at Snape Maltings in April. He sent Britten a ‘get well’ card and received a reply which was sent to the school.
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