Case Studies

The Woodcote House Hymnbook (delivered June 2010)

My family have owned Woodcote House School since 1931, with three generations of us having been Headmasters since then until 2009, when for the first time we appointed someone from outside the family to run the school, though I continue to work full time as a teacher and adviser, as well as preaching or taking Chapel services when required. To mark this, I created a new school hymnbook, which I hope reflects the unique character of the school and its Chapel.

Creating the hymnbook myself took a lot of time, but meant that I could include all the various elements I wanted from it – a hymn and prayer book which could be a useful teaching aid with its various sections to reflect the Church Year, a book that was personal to Woodcote with its choice of hymns, its photographs and its Order of Service, and a book that would be a suitable present for Leavers with its memories of happy times spent here.

From the outset I have been very grateful for all the help and advice I have received from Gresham Books. Nothing was too much trouble, and they accommodated all the idiosyncrasies of such a personal project without question and without adding to the original quote. I am absolutely delighted with the finished product, both in its design and content, and boys, staff and parents have been most complimentary about it.

Nick Paterson
June 2010

King Edward VI School choir folders (delivered March 2010)

The King Edward VI School choral folders feature striking gold writing on the black background of the folder, which complements the intricate school crest. The protective brass corners chosen by the school give the folders a professional look, and will certainly help with durability in the long-term.

King Edward VI School Choir Folders key features:

• Features a double cord in the centre of the folder; ideal for securing music sheets.
• Features four brass corners for durability.
• Measuring 316 x 220mm.

Saint Ambrose College choir folders (delivered February 2010)

The striking Saint Ambrose College Standard choral folders immediately catch your eye with the vibrant yellow colouring. The folders feature the school crest on the front, and include a double cord in the centre of the folder, which is ideal for securing music. The school choir folders had their debut on the stage of the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester in March 2010.

Saint Ambrose College Choir Folders key features:

• Bespoke choral folders which give the school choir a professional look.
• Feature a double cord in the centre of the folder, ideal for securing music sheets.
• Measuring 316 x 220mm.

Worth School Prayer Book and Hymnal (published January 2010)

Worth School decided to commission a hymn and prayer book in their anniversary year as a way of bringing together the three key methodologies for prayer - private prayer and examples to support this - prayer that can be used in formal liturgical contexts - and of course prayer through singing. As prayer is an essential part of a Catholic life and education, the school felt that the prayer book and hymnal provided a convenient and qualitative way in which to create a resource to be used in the Abbey Church, within the boarding and day houses and for individual, private devotion.

Worth School Prayer Book and Hymnal key features:

• Comprises 192 pages consisting of prayers, services, and 67 hymns.
• Features gold writing on a royal blue coloured cover.
• Includes a colour picture of St Benedict as the first page of the book.

St Hugh’s School Oxfordshire (published December 2009)

St Hugh’s School decided to commission a standard Gresham Junior Hymnal, which contains 120 hymns, 20 prayers, Psalm 23 and The Grace. Although it is possible for a school to have their own personal title page and preface, St Hugh’s chose to keep the Gresham Junior Hymnal exactly as it was originally produced. The attractive cover is coloured bright red with a gold crest on the front.

St Hugh’s School Junior Hymnal key features:

• Standard Gresham Junior Hymnal word-only edition.
• Comprises 120 hymns, 20 prayers, Psalm 23 and The Grace.
• Trim size 200 x 130mm; 128 pages in total.

Town Close House Hymn Book (published December 2009)

The Town Close House Hymn Book is a small melody line book containing 111 hymns and 6 prayers. Covered in a textured leather-effect material, the inside pages measure 181 x 122mm, which is usually the smallest trim size we offer for melody books. The school crest and writing on the spine are coloured silver, complementing the navy blue colour of the cover.

Town Close House Hymn Book key features:

• A Melody edition hymn book which contains the first verse set under music.
• Comprises 111 hymns and 6 prayers.