What was your role at Hymers College?

When Janet Kelsey, OH Staff 1990-2003 went on maternity leave in 1996, I was asked to take her six singing pupils and choirs. I well remember first conducting a very sceptical Chamber Choir who viewed me with suspicion. Tim O’Byrne OH Staff 1986-2010 had chosen Parry’s anthem ‘My Soul there is a country’ for the Remembrance Day Service. I already knew this piece well and could even sing the tenor part with the boys, so I did pass muster! The number of singing pupils grew so when Janet returned, Tim asked me to stay on, which I did very happily until July 2022.

What are your favourite memories of teaching at Hymers?

I have so many memories of wonderful concerts with amazing instrumental performances, but choral highlights also abound.

Firstly: seeing the terror of the Senior Girls’ Choir as they walked onto the vast stage of the South Bank, Queen Elizabeth Hall and doing what Hymers pupils always do, pulling themselves together and giving a superb performance.

Secondly: Over 20 years of Feast of Song, watching the sense of enjoyment and achievement so many nervous but talented soloists got from putting heart and soul into songs they had prepared over many weeks.

Do you have any favourite tour/trip stories?

Of all the music tours, the Italian one holds the magic memory of beautiful strains of Mozart’s Ave Verum coming from a passing Vaporetto on the Grand Canal. The singers were, of course, our Hymers students.

What have you done since you left Hymers College?

After two years of retirement I have succumbed to glorious idleness, although I do try to play my piano daily and partake of aquafit sessions to stave off galloping arthritis, with French conversation lessons to stop the brain rot.

Other than that, I live the life of Riley always grateful for my many happy years at Hymers College.