David Wright (staff) - Revision history

Smeeds: Image: David Wright in 1957

2024-11-28T23:23:18Z

Image: David Wright in 1957

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	===Boston – organist, pianist and teacher===		===Boston – organist, pianist and teacher===

			[[File:1957David Wright2.jpg\|right\|thumb\|David Wright in 1957]]
	[[File:David Wright at the organ in Boston.jpg\|right\|thumb\|David Wright early in his career, at the Stump organ]]		[[File:David Wright at the organ in Boston.jpg\|right\|thumb\|David Wright early in his career, at the Stump organ]]
	Throughout his time in Boston, David was a frequent recitalist, as organist and also as a pianist, both in solo piano recitals and as an accompanist for many local singers and instrumentalists. He had learned to play the piano in Birmingham with the noted teacher Leonard Rayner<ref>[http://www.tilling.org.uk/lrps/leonardrayner.html Leonard Rayner] - Leonard Rayner Piano School</ref> – who had himself been taught by Benno Schoenberger<ref>[https://musiklexikon.ac.at/ml/musik_S/Schoenberger_Benno.xml Schönberger, Benno] - Oesterreichisches Musiklexicon Online</ref>, a favoured pupil of [[Wikipedia:Franz Liszt\|Franz Liszt]]. (The tutoring lineage then goes back directly to [[Wikipedia:Carl Czerny\|Czerny]] and [[Wikipedia:Ludwig van Beethoven\|Beethoven]])		Throughout his time in Boston, David was a frequent recitalist, as organist and also as a pianist, both in solo piano recitals and as an accompanist for many local singers and instrumentalists. He had learned to play the piano in Birmingham with the noted teacher Leonard Rayner<ref>[http://www.tilling.org.uk/lrps/leonardrayner.html Leonard Rayner] - Leonard Rayner Piano School</ref> – who had himself been taught by Benno Schoenberger<ref>[https://musiklexikon.ac.at/ml/musik_S/Schoenberger_Benno.xml Schönberger, Benno] - Oesterreichisches Musiklexicon Online</ref>, a favoured pupil of [[Wikipedia:Franz Liszt\|Franz Liszt]]. (The tutoring lineage then goes back directly to [[Wikipedia:Carl Czerny\|Czerny]] and [[Wikipedia:Ludwig van Beethoven\|Beethoven]])

Testbot: 'See also' updated by Bot

2023-11-23T15:12:37Z

'See also' updated by Bot

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	==See Also==		==See Also==
			*[[:Arthur Shrimpton's Leaving Photograph]]
			*[[:Boston Grammar School Orchestra 1957]]
	*[[:Boston Grammar School Staff]]		*[[:Boston Grammar School Staff]]
	*[[:Floreat Bostona (music)]]		*[[:Floreat Bostona (music)]]
	*[[:~~Boston Grammar School Orchestra 1957]]~~		*[[:Lockwood Memorial Prize]]
	*[[:Arthur Shrimpton's Leaving Photograph]]
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, David}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, David}}
	[[Category:Staff]]		[[Category:Staff]]

Smeeds: Parents

2021-05-08T10:17:16Z

Parents

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	\| partner =		\| partner =
	\| children = [[Toby Wright]]		\| children = [[Toby Wright]]
	\| parents =		\| parents = Harold Wright; Dorothy Field
	\| relatives =		\| relatives =
	\| awards =		\| awards =

Smeeds: Add Category:Photo pages

2021-04-04T23:24:06Z

Add Category:Photo pages

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:24, 5 April 2021
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	In 2019, David's services to church music in Boston were recognised by an honorary award from the [[Wikipedia:Royal School of Church Music\|RSCM]], when David was made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music at a ceremony in [[Wikipedia:Salisbury Cathedral\|Salisbury Cathedral]].		In 2019, David's services to church music in Boston were recognised by an honorary award from the [[Wikipedia:Royal School of Church Music\|RSCM]], when David was made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music at a ceremony in [[Wikipedia:Salisbury Cathedral\|Salisbury Cathedral]].

	As a teacher, David was responsible for inspiring generations of pupils in Boston, including many who went on to pursue careers in music, both through his private instrumental lessons on the piano and organ, and his role as Head of Music at [[ Boston Grammar School]] from 1957 to 1999. School concerts, the school orchestra and supporting dramatic productions were all part of the role, and as the curriculum moved increasingly to the use of electronics he relished the opportunity to involve himself supporting his pupils through the use of recording equipment, a life-long interest. In later years, pupils also enjoyed the inspiration from his wide-ranging assembly talks, crossing onto many diverse topics beyond music.		As a teacher, David was responsible for inspiring generations of pupils in Boston, including many who went on to pursue careers in music, both through his private instrumental lessons on the piano and organ, and his role as Head of Music at [[Boston Grammar School]] from 1957 to 1999. School concerts, the school orchestra and supporting dramatic productions were all part of the role, and as the curriculum moved increasingly to the use of electronics he relished the opportunity to involve himself supporting his pupils through the use of recording equipment, a life-long interest. In later years, pupils also enjoyed the inspiration from his wide-ranging assembly talks, crossing onto many diverse topics beyond music.

	He was an examiner for the [[Wikipedia:ABRSM\|Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music]] (having completed his training under [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Herbert Howells]]), an adjudicator at music competitions and festivals, and a lecturer and tutor in the extra-mural department of [[Wikipedia:University of Nottingham\|Nottingham University]] (1958 – 1969).		He was an examiner for the [[Wikipedia:ABRSM\|Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music]] (having completed his training under [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Herbert Howells]]), an adjudicator at music competitions and festivals, and a lecturer and tutor in the extra-mural department of [[Wikipedia:University of Nottingham\|Nottingham University]] (1958 – 1969).
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	===Family===		===Family===

	David met his future wife, Joan (~~née~~ Gelsthorp) when she became an organ pupil of his on arriving in Boston in 1957. They married in 1961. Joan was herself a very fine musician. An Associate of the Royal College of Music, she worked with David as rehearsal accompanist for Boston Choral Society and Boston Operatic Society, in addition to her own roles as Assistant Organist at [[Wikipedia:Skirbeck\|St.Nicholas's Church, Skirbeck]] and music teacher at [[Wikipedia:Excell International School\|Conway School]].		David met his future wife, Joan (née Gelsthorp) when she became an organ pupil of his on arriving in Boston in 1957. They married in 1961. Joan was herself a very fine musician. An Associate of the Royal College of Music, she worked with David as rehearsal accompanist for Boston Choral Society and Boston Operatic Society, in addition to her own roles as Assistant Organist at [[Wikipedia:Skirbeck\|St.Nicholas's Church, Skirbeck]] and music teacher at [[Wikipedia:Excell International School\|Conway School]].

	David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.		David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.
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	==David Wright (AO 56-57) Remembers==		==David Wright (AO 56-57) Remembers==

	''An article written by [[David Wright ~~(staff)\|David Wright]]~~ himself for the New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012<ref>[https://www.fcoca.org.uk/uploads/1/5/0/1/15016958/oxford_new_college_newsletter_july_2012.pdf New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012]</ref>''		''An article written by David Wright himself for the New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012<ref>[https://www.fcoca.org.uk/uploads/1/5/0/1/15016958/oxford_new_college_newsletter_july_2012.pdf New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012]</ref>''

	I was lucky enough to be the Assistant Organist at [[Wikipedia:New College, Oxford\|NC]] in a truly vintage year (1956-57), having the unique experience of working under no fewer than three eminent musicians in that short period: [[Wikipedia:Herbert Kennedy Andrews\|H.K. Andrews]], [[Wikipedia:Henry Ley\|Henry Ley]] and [[Wikipedia:Meredith Davies\|Meredith Davies]]. All three treated me as a friend rather than as a junior, and I regard it as a great privilege to have had the opportunity to be so close to them and share their confidences, which were not always anything to do with music.		I was lucky enough to be the Assistant Organist at [[Wikipedia:New College, Oxford\|NC]] in a truly vintage year (1956-57), having the unique experience of working under no fewer than three eminent musicians in that short period: [[Wikipedia:Herbert Kennedy Andrews\|H.K. Andrews]], [[Wikipedia:Henry Ley\|Henry Ley]] and [[Wikipedia:Meredith Davies\|Meredith Davies]]. All three treated me as a friend rather than as a junior, and I regard it as a great privilege to have had the opportunity to be so close to them and share their confidences, which were not always anything to do with music.
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	[[Category:1990s]]		[[Category:1990s]]
	[[Category:See Also]]		[[Category:See Also]]
			[[Category:Photo pages]]

Smeeds at 01:09, 7 February 2021

2021-02-07T01:09:19Z

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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, David}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, David}}
	[[Category:Staff]]		[[Category:Staff]]
			[[Category:BGS Orchestra]]
	[[Category:Obituaries]]		[[Category:Obituaries]]
	[[Category:Music]]		[[Category:Music]]

Smeeds at 21:41, 5 February 2021

2021-02-05T21:41:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 5 February 2021
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	David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.		David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.

	In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Dream of Gerontius\|Dream of Gerontius]]'', [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Belshazzar's ~~Feas~~\|Belshazzar's ~~Feas~~]]'', [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Creation (Haydn)\|Creation]]'', [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' ''[[Wikipedia:A German Requiem (Brahms)\|Requiem]]'', [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Messiah (Handel)\|Messiah]]'', [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' ''[[Wikipedia:Hymnus Paradisi\|Hymnus Paradisi]]'' and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] [[Wikipedia:Passions (Bach)\|passions]] and ''[[Wikipedia:Mass in B minor\|Mass in B minor]]'', collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.		In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Dream of Gerontius\|Dream of Gerontius]]'', [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Belshazzar's Feast\|Belshazzar's Feast]]'', [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Creation (Haydn)\|Creation]]'', [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' ''[[Wikipedia:A German Requiem (Brahms)\|Requiem]]'', [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Messiah (Handel)\|Messiah]]'', [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' ''[[Wikipedia:Hymnus Paradisi\|Hymnus Paradisi]]'' and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] [[Wikipedia:Passions (Bach)\|passions]] and ''[[Wikipedia:Mass in B minor\|Mass in B minor]]'', collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.

	===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===		===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===

Smeeds: David Wright (AO 56-57) Remembers

2021-02-01T15:07:41Z

David Wright (AO 56-57) Remembers

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 1 February 2021
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	In 1993 David led the direction of the East Midlands Church Choirs Festival when it was held in Boston, devising a programme which featured music by several musicians with links to Boston, including [[Wikipedia:John Taverner\|John Taverner]], Philip Marshall, [[Wikipedia:Gordon Archbold Slater\|Gordon Slater]], Colin Hand<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-september/gazette/obituaries/obituary-dr-colin-hand Colin Hand Obituary] - Church Times</ref> and David Wright himself, whose compositions include several short anthems for choir and a setting of the Preces and Responses<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 August 1964 16.05] - from Boston Parish Church Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright</ref>.		In 1993 David led the direction of the East Midlands Church Choirs Festival when it was held in Boston, devising a programme which featured music by several musicians with links to Boston, including [[Wikipedia:John Taverner\|John Taverner]], Philip Marshall, [[Wikipedia:Gordon Archbold Slater\|Gordon Slater]], Colin Hand<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-september/gazette/obituaries/obituary-dr-colin-hand Colin Hand Obituary] - Church Times</ref> and David Wright himself, whose compositions include several short anthems for choir and a setting of the Preces and Responses<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 August 1964 16.05] - from Boston Parish Church Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright</ref>.

	The 450th anniversary of the death of the great Tudor composer, John Taverner, in 1995 brought a number of events to the Stump, including a memorial service on the occasion of the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark Taverner's resting place under the tower, at which the Stump choir sang several of Taverner's antiphons, under David's direction.		The 450th anniversary of the death of the great Tudor composer, John Taverner, in 1995 brought a number of events to the Stump, including a memorial service on the occasion of the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark Taverner's [[Wikipedia:File:Grave of John Taverner - geograph.org.uk - 596642.jpg\|resting place]] under the tower, at which the Stump choir sang several of Taverner's [[Wikipedia:John Taverner#Votive antiphons\|antiphons]], under David's direction.

	David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.		David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.

	In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s "Dream of Gerontius", [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s "Belshazzar's ~~Feast"~~, [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s "Creation", [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' Requiem, [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s "Messiah", [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' "Hymnus Paradisi" and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] passions and "Mass in B minor", collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.		In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Dream of Gerontius\|Dream of Gerontius]]'', [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Belshazzar's Feas\|Belshazzar's Feas]]'', [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Creation (Haydn)\|Creation]]'', [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' ''[[Wikipedia:A German Requiem (Brahms)\|Requiem]]'', [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Messiah (Handel)\|Messiah]]'', [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' ''[[Wikipedia:Hymnus Paradisi\|Hymnus Paradisi]]'' and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] [[Wikipedia:Passions (Bach)\|passions]] and ''[[Wikipedia:Mass in B minor\|Mass in B minor]]'', collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.

	===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===		===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===
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	David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.		David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.

			==David Wright (AO 56-57) Remembers==

			''An article written by [[David Wright (staff)\|David Wright]] himself for the New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012<ref>[https://www.fcoca.org.uk/uploads/1/5/0/1/15016958/oxford_new_college_newsletter_july_2012.pdf New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012]</ref>''

			I was lucky enough to be the Assistant Organist at [[Wikipedia:New College, Oxford\|NC]] in a truly vintage year (1956-57), having the unique experience of working under no fewer than three eminent musicians in that short period: [[Wikipedia:Herbert Kennedy Andrews\|H.K. Andrews]], [[Wikipedia:Henry Ley\|Henry Ley]] and [[Wikipedia:Meredith Davies\|Meredith Davies]]. All three treated me as a friend rather than as a junior, and I regard it as a great privilege to have had the opportunity to be so close to them and share their confidences, which were not always anything to do with music.

			I had been the Organ Scholar at [[Wikipedia:Exeter College, Oxford\|Exeter College]], which was one of the very few Oxford Colleges that recruited local boys to sing with the college undergraduates who formed the [[Wikipedia:SATB\|ATB]] sections of the chapel choir. (Some little time later Organ Scholars at the college had the luxury of using boys from [[Wikipedia:Christ Church Cathedral School\|Christ Church School]], and of course after the college ceased to be a single-sex one female undergraduates joined the choir instead of boys, and this is the situation now.)

			In my post-graduate (B. Mus.) year, when my services were no longer required at Exeter College, H. K. Andrews invited me to be his assistant. I was flattered and thrilled that this great man had chosen me, but perhaps he was influenced by the fact that when I took the [[Wikipedia:Royal College of Organists\|F.R.C.O.]] examination I was awarded the [[Wikipedia:Richard Limpus\|Limpus Prize]]. One day HKA told me that the Headmaster of New College School would like to meet me, so I duly went along to the school. There was a chap in scruffy old overalls mowing the grass, and I politely asked him if he could tell me where I might find the Headmaster, to which he responded: "I AM the Headmaster".

			I got on really well with HKA, and found him to be very kind, supportive and encouraging, in spite of his reputation for being awkward and at loggerheads with most people. I remember that when an admiring student asked him how he managed to get his choristers to produce such beautiful tone, he growled: "They wouldn't dare not to!". HKA was also very generous. He was even intending to take me on a trip to [[Wikipedia:Bayreuth\|Bayreuth]], to experience [[Wikipedia:Richard Wagner\|Wagner]] on his home ground, although in the end this had to fall through. I was able to enjoy having the occasional dinner with him at High Table in New College at his expense, though, at which the alcohol flowed freely, including my introduction to the delights of [[Wikipedia:Cognac\|Cognac]].

			My only disappointment during this wonderful time was that a BBC programme of music by [[Wikipedia:Thomas Morley\|Morley]] that we were due to record had to be cancelled because the boys succumbed to an outbreak of [[Wikipedia:chickenpox\|chickenpox]]! (Or was it [[Wikipedia:measles\|measles]]? No doubt there are ex choristers who remember.) During the [[Wikipedia:Michaelmas term\|Michaelmas term]] HKA resigned, and Meredith Davies was appointed to succeed him. As he was the Organist at [[Wikipedia:Hereford Cathedral\|Hereford Cathedral]] he had to give the Dean and Chapter there the appropriate notice and therefore was not able to take up the NC post for a few months, so Henry Ley was brought out of retirement in [[Wikipedia:Ottery St Mary\|Ottery St. Mary]] to bridge the gap. I greatly respected him because of what he had achieved during his working life, and he was delightful to work with, but was of the opinion that the NC Choir was so good that rehearsal was superfluous! I disagreed with him over one issue – at one Evensong we had performed one of [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Herbert Howells]]'s settings (probably the [[Wikipedia:Collegium Regale (Howells)\|Coll. Reg.]]), and when he came up to the organ loft afterwards I was enthusing about the beauty, not only of the choral writing, but also that of the organ part. He made it clear that he did not think much of Howells’s organ music, saying that only [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] really knew how to write for the organ!

			In those days, as well as being a keyboard player, I was a [[Wikipedia:countertenor\|countertenor]] singer, and when Meredith Davies eventually took up office he made more use of me as an [[Wikipedia:alto\|alto]] in the choir, singing opposite Michael Groser<ref>[http://www.groserfamilies.com/misc/page1499.html Michael Groser, sculptor] - groserfamilies.com</ref>. (Incidentally, I was surprised that in all that was written about Michael after his death, no mention was made of what is my abiding memory of him, that he used to ride about on a precarious-looking motorised bicycle! It seemed somehow so to characterize his delightful but somewhat off-beat personality.) I remember in one BBC recording in which I was singing Meredith stopped the choir after the very first chord because my note was apparently not quite in tune!

			Meredith had a wry and rather naughty sense of humour, and I shan't forget an occasion when forty singers, including both him and me, were arranged in a semicircle on the [[Wikipedia:Holywell Music Room\|Holywell Music Room]] platform to perform [[Wikipedia:Thomas Tallis\|Tallis]]'s [[Wikipedia:Spem in Alium\|Spem in Alium]]. It fell to my lot to start the whole thing off, and Meredith, who was standing nearly opposite me, was doing his best to make me laugh just as we were beginning by pulling funny faces at me.

			It was in his time that I received the biggest fee, relative to the amount of work involved, that I have ever been paid. It was a BBC recording of music that was almost entirely unaccompanied. There was just one anthem (by Henry Ley, I think) that had an organ introduction consisting of just six single notes. As the organist's fee was eighteen guineas – a princely sum to a student in 1957 – I was in effect paid at the rate of three guineas per note! Incidentally, I never heard the broadcasts that we did, and I should be very interested to hear from anyone who has any recordings (presumably on reel-to-reel tape) from this era. I think they were recorded for the [[Wikipedia:BBC World Service\|BBC Overseas Service]].

			It seems a sad fact that no-one mentioned in these recollections of mine is still alive, but we are after all going back fifty-five years!

	==Radio and TV appearances==		==Radio and TV appearances==

Smeeds: Radio and TV appearances

2021-01-27T14:19:38Z

Radio and TV appearances

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:19, 27 January 2021
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	David Wright came to Boston in 1957 to take up the posts of Organist & Choirmaster at [[Wikipedia:St Botolph's Church, Boston\|St. Botolph’s]] (''the Stump'') and music master at [[Boston Grammar School]], a joint appointment which arose following the departure of his predecessor, [[Philip Marshall]], to [[Wikipedia:Ripon Cathedral\|Ripon Cathedral]].		David Wright came to Boston in 1957 to take up the posts of Organist & Choirmaster at [[Wikipedia:St Botolph's Church, Boston\|St. Botolph’s]] (''the Stump'') and music master at [[Boston Grammar School]], a joint appointment which arose following the departure of his predecessor, [[Philip Marshall]], to [[Wikipedia:Ripon Cathedral\|Ripon Cathedral]].

	As Organist & Choirmaster at the Stump, he led the musical life of the community for over 40 years, until his retirement in 1999. In the earlier part of his time at the Stump he led the choir in several broadcasts of Choral Evensong on [[Wikipedia:BBC Radio 3\|BBC Radio 3]] and [[Wikipedia:BBC World Service\|BBC Overseas Service]]. In 1978, when the BBC issued a cassette and LP "Songs of Praise" recording of hymns from the popular TV series, it was Boston Stump's 1977 edition, under David's direction, that was chosen (with Eric Wayman, one of David's frequent musical collaborators, playing the organ).<ref>[https://~~www~~.~~youtube~~.~~com~~/~~watch?v=x576OCB07rk BBC~~ Songs of Praise, ~~Boston -~~ 1977] - ~~YouTube~~</ref>		As Organist & Choirmaster at the Stump, he led the musical life of the community for over 40 years, until his retirement in 1999. In the earlier part of his time at the Stump he led the choir in several broadcasts of Choral Evensong on [[Wikipedia:BBC Radio 3\|BBC Radio 3]] and [[Wikipedia:BBC World Service\|BBC Overseas Service]]. In 1978, when the BBC issued a cassette and LP "Songs of Praise" recording of hymns from the popular TV series, it was Boston Stump's 1977 edition, under David's direction, that was chosen (with Eric Wayman, one of David's frequent musical collaborators, playing the organ).<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/91094bf4f849413384170401003a9e61 Songs of Praise - BBC One London, 16 October 1977 18.40] - from Boston, Lincolnshire... Conductor David Wright</ref>

	In 1993 David led the direction of the East Midlands Church Choirs Festival when it was held in Boston, devising a programme which featured music by several musicians with links to Boston, including [[Wikipedia:John Taverner\|John Taverner]], Philip Marshall, [[Wikipedia:Gordon Archbold Slater\|Gordon Slater]], Colin Hand<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-september/gazette/obituaries/obituary-dr-colin-hand Colin Hand Obituary] - Church Times</ref> and David Wright himself, whose compositions include several short anthems for choir and a setting of the Preces and Responses<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong] - BBC Home Service, from Boston Parish Church~~, including~~ Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33; Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright</ref>.		In 1993 David led the direction of the East Midlands Church Choirs Festival when it was held in Boston, devising a programme which featured music by several musicians with links to Boston, including [[Wikipedia:John Taverner\|John Taverner]], Philip Marshall, [[Wikipedia:Gordon Archbold Slater\|Gordon Slater]], Colin Hand<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-september/gazette/obituaries/obituary-dr-colin-hand Colin Hand Obituary] - Church Times</ref> and David Wright himself, whose compositions include several short anthems for choir and a setting of the Preces and Responses<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 August 1964 16.05] - from Boston Parish Church Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright</ref>.

	The 450th anniversary of the death of the great Tudor composer, John Taverner, in 1995 brought a number of events to the Stump, including a memorial service on the occasion of the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark Taverner's resting place under the tower, at which the Stump choir sang several of Taverner's antiphons, under David's direction.		The 450th anniversary of the death of the great Tudor composer, John Taverner, in 1995 brought a number of events to the Stump, including a memorial service on the occasion of the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark Taverner's resting place under the tower, at which the Stump choir sang several of Taverner's antiphons, under David's direction.
Line 111:		Line 111:

	David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.		David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.

			==Radio and TV appearances==
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/4ae4637d331b441a8eb14b4d45c664c2 Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 26 May 1960 15.00] - For Ascension Day from Boston Parish Church, Lincs... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/25515ca96940461d90aa2e0cbbc7eeeb Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 12 April 1961 16.00] - from Boston Parish Church Lincolnshire... Organist and choirmaster. David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b8f0507bf1474591806e2ce6df97ba74 Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 April 1961 16.00] - from Boston Parish Church Lincolnshire... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/691147f87051458a949d7c6844c91c68 Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 7 August 1963 16.00] - from Boston Parish Church Lincolnshire... Organist and Choirmaster. David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 August 1964 16.05] - from Boston Parish Church Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/63e7fba0547943f182fba13a33123fc0 Matins - BBC One London, 10 April 1966 10.30] - from St. Botolph's Boston Parish Church, Lincolnshire... Organist: David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d0b55da11f8440908cbe1c24046fb07f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 20 September 1967 16.00] - from Boston Parish Church, Lincolnshire... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/97d6c5e71b2a42129f1829869c31aee9 Sunday Half-Hour - BBC Radio 2, 20 June 1976 20.30] - from Boston Stump (the Parish Church of St Botolph, Boston, Lincs) led by a united choir of local churches conducted by David Wright
			*[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/91094bf4f849413384170401003a9e61 Songs of Praise - BBC One London, 16 October 1977 18.40] - from Boston, Lincolnshire... Conductor David Wright - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x576OCB07rk watch on YouTube]
			*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1Nn1Ou6RTc10vG4H2QEw5SiFCn75C1mL57MaeC3v2GrDB5UaHUvBBZffc&v=UnjwT29JlzA Highway - ITV 1992] - organist David Wright (YouTube)

	==External links==		==External links==

Smeeds: Images and some tidy-ups

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Images and some tidy-ups

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:48, 27 January 2021
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	David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.		David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.

	In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s "Dream of Gerontius", [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton\|]]'s "Belshazzar's Feast", [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s "Creation", [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' Requiem, [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s "Messiah", [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' "Hymnus Paradisi" and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] passions and "Mass in B minor", collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.		In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s "Dream of Gerontius", [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s "Belshazzar's Feast", [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s "Creation", [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' Requiem, [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s "Messiah", [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' "Hymnus Paradisi" and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] passions and "Mass in B minor", collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.

	===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===		===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===
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	===Boston – organist, pianist and teacher===		===Boston – organist, pianist and teacher===

			[[File:David Wright at the organ in Boston.jpg\|right\|thumb\|David Wright early in his career, at the Stump organ]]
	Throughout his time in Boston, David was a frequent recitalist, as organist and also as a pianist, both in solo piano recitals and as an accompanist for many local singers and instrumentalists. He had learned to play the piano in Birmingham with the noted teacher Leonard Rayner<ref>[http://www.tilling.org.uk/lrps/leonardrayner.html Leonard Rayner] - Leonard Rayner Piano School</ref> – who had himself been taught by Benno Schoenberger<ref>[https://musiklexikon.ac.at/ml/musik_S/Schoenberger_Benno.xml Schönberger, Benno] - Oesterreichisches Musiklexicon Online</ref>, a favoured pupil of [[Wikipedia:Franz Liszt\|Franz Liszt]]. (The tutoring lineage then goes back directly to [[Wikipedia:Carl Czerny\|Czerny]] and [[Wikipedia:Ludwig van Beethoven\|Beethoven]])		Throughout his time in Boston, David was a frequent recitalist, as organist and also as a pianist, both in solo piano recitals and as an accompanist for many local singers and instrumentalists. He had learned to play the piano in Birmingham with the noted teacher Leonard Rayner<ref>[http://www.tilling.org.uk/lrps/leonardrayner.html Leonard Rayner] - Leonard Rayner Piano School</ref> – who had himself been taught by Benno Schoenberger<ref>[https://musiklexikon.ac.at/ml/musik_S/Schoenberger_Benno.xml Schönberger, Benno] - Oesterreichisches Musiklexicon Online</ref>, a favoured pupil of [[Wikipedia:Franz Liszt\|Franz Liszt]]. (The tutoring lineage then goes back directly to [[Wikipedia:Carl Czerny\|Czerny]] and [[Wikipedia:Ludwig van Beethoven\|Beethoven]])

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	Following his retirement as Choirmaster at the Stump in 1999 he continued as Organist, and was appointed Organist Emeritus in 2007. Whilst always eschewing the limelight, performance on the Stump organ framed his life in Boston, including as soloist in a Handel organ concerto with Sir [[Wikipedia:Adrian Boult\|Adrian Boult]] and the [[Wikipedia:London Philharmonic Orchestra\|London Philharmonic Orchestra]] in 1959, through to performances of the [[Wikipedia:Francis Poulenc\|Poulenc]] Organ Concerto and [[Wikipedia:Camille Saint-Saëns\|Saint-Saëns]] 'Organ Symphony' in later years. On a visit to Boston in the 1970s, the then-serving Prime Minister [[Wikipedia:Edward Heath\|Edward Heath]] specifically requested an opportunity to hear and play the organ at the Stump, resulting in David and Edward Heath turning pages for each other in the loft as they took turns to play the instrument.		Following his retirement as Choirmaster at the Stump in 1999 he continued as Organist, and was appointed Organist Emeritus in 2007. Whilst always eschewing the limelight, performance on the Stump organ framed his life in Boston, including as soloist in a Handel organ concerto with Sir [[Wikipedia:Adrian Boult\|Adrian Boult]] and the [[Wikipedia:London Philharmonic Orchestra\|London Philharmonic Orchestra]] in 1959, through to performances of the [[Wikipedia:Francis Poulenc\|Poulenc]] Organ Concerto and [[Wikipedia:Camille Saint-Saëns\|Saint-Saëns]] 'Organ Symphony' in later years. On a visit to Boston in the 1970s, the then-serving Prime Minister [[Wikipedia:Edward Heath\|Edward Heath]] specifically requested an opportunity to hear and play the organ at the Stump, resulting in David and Edward Heath turning pages for each other in the loft as they took turns to play the instrument.

	In 2019, David's services to church music in Boston were recognised by an honorary award from the [[Wikipedia:Royal School of Church Music\|RSCM]], when David was made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music at a ceremony in [[Wikipedia:Salisbury Cathedral\|Salisbury Cathedral]].		[[File:David Wright.jpg\|left\|thumb\|David Wright in 2019 when he was presented with his ARSCM in Salisbury Cathedral]]
			In 2019, David's services to church music in Boston were recognised by an honorary award from the [[Wikipedia:Royal School of Church Music\|RSCM]], when David was made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music at a ceremony in [[Wikipedia:Salisbury Cathedral\|Salisbury Cathedral]].

	As a teacher, David was responsible for inspiring generations of pupils in Boston, including many who went on to pursue careers in music, both through his private instrumental lessons on the piano and organ, and his role as Head of Music at[[ Boston Grammar School]] from 1957 to 1999. School concerts, the school orchestra and supporting dramatic productions were all part of the role, and as the curriculum moved increasingly to the use of electronics he relished the opportunity to involve himself supporting his pupils through the use of recording equipment, a life-long interest. In later years, pupils also enjoyed the inspiration from his wide-ranging assembly talks, crossing onto many diverse topics beyond music.		As a teacher, David was responsible for inspiring generations of pupils in Boston, including many who went on to pursue careers in music, both through his private instrumental lessons on the piano and organ, and his role as Head of Music at [[ Boston Grammar School]] from 1957 to 1999. School concerts, the school orchestra and supporting dramatic productions were all part of the role, and as the curriculum moved increasingly to the use of electronics he relished the opportunity to involve himself supporting his pupils through the use of recording equipment, a life-long interest. In later years, pupils also enjoyed the inspiration from his wide-ranging assembly talks, crossing onto many diverse topics beyond music.

	He was an examiner for the [[Wikipedia:ABRSM\|Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music]] (having completed his training under [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Herbert Howells]]), an adjudicator at music competitions and festivals, and a lecturer and tutor in the extra-mural department of [[Wikipedia:University of Nottingham\|Nottingham University]] (1958 – 1969).		He was an examiner for the [[Wikipedia:ABRSM\|Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music]] (having completed his training under [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Herbert Howells]]), an adjudicator at music competitions and festivals, and a lecturer and tutor in the extra-mural department of [[Wikipedia:University of Nottingham\|Nottingham University]] (1958 – 1969).

Smeeds at 10:27, 27 January 2021

2021-01-27T10:27:25Z

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	\| ethnicity = <!-- Ethnicity should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->		\| ethnicity = <!-- Ethnicity should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
	\| citizenship =		\| citizenship =
	\| education = King Edward's School, Birmingham; Exeter College, Oxford (BMus~~, MA~~); FRCO		\| education = King Edward's School, Birmingham; Exeter College, Oxford (MA, BMus); FRCO
	\| roles = Head of Music		\| roles = Head of Music
	\| years_at_BGS = 1957-1999		\| years_at_BGS = 1957-1999

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 1 February 2021
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	In 1993 David led the direction of the East Midlands Church Choirs Festival when it was held in Boston, devising a programme which featured music by several musicians with links to Boston, including [[Wikipedia:John Taverner\|John Taverner]], Philip Marshall, [[Wikipedia:Gordon Archbold Slater\|Gordon Slater]], Colin Hand<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-september/gazette/obituaries/obituary-dr-colin-hand Colin Hand Obituary] - Church Times</ref> and David Wright himself, whose compositions include several short anthems for choir and a setting of the Preces and Responses<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 August 1964 16.05] - from Boston Parish Church Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright</ref>.		In 1993 David led the direction of the East Midlands Church Choirs Festival when it was held in Boston, devising a programme which featured music by several musicians with links to Boston, including [[Wikipedia:John Taverner\|John Taverner]], Philip Marshall, [[Wikipedia:Gordon Archbold Slater\|Gordon Slater]], Colin Hand<ref>[https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/4-september/gazette/obituaries/obituary-dr-colin-hand Colin Hand Obituary] - Church Times</ref> and David Wright himself, whose compositions include several short anthems for choir and a setting of the Preces and Responses<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c52586ab5deb4536a8bafcd16321b47f Choral Evensong - BBC Home Service Basic, 19 August 1964 16.05] - from Boston Parish Church Preces and Responses (Wright) Psalms 98 and 99 Lessons: Ezekiel 33, vv. 21-33... Organist and Choirmaster, David Wright</ref>.

	The 450th anniversary of the death of the great Tudor composer, John Taverner, in 1995 brought a number of events to the Stump, including a memorial service on the occasion of the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark Taverner's resting place under the tower, at which the Stump choir sang several of Taverner's antiphons, under David's direction.		The 450th anniversary of the death of the great Tudor composer, John Taverner, in 1995 brought a number of events to the Stump, including a memorial service on the occasion of the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark Taverner's [[Wikipedia:File:Grave of John Taverner - geograph.org.uk - 596642.jpg\|resting place]] under the tower, at which the Stump choir sang several of Taverner's [[Wikipedia:John Taverner#Votive antiphons\|antiphons]], under David's direction.

	David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.		David's close working relationship with the Taverner scholar and composer Colin Hand, also a Boston resident, led to the composition of several works by Dr Hand for David, the Stump choir and the Boston Choral Society. These include his "Missa Sancti Botolphi" (dedicated to the Stump choir in 1979), his cantata "High Tide" (commissioned by Boston Choral Society for the 1980 Boston Festival)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'>[http://www.bostonchoral.com/about.htm Boston Choral Society]</ref> and organ works including his "In Nomine 6" ("The Taverner Sonata"), dedicated to David.

	In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s "Dream of Gerontius", [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s "Belshazzar's ~~Feast"~~, [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s "Creation", [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' Requiem, [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s "Messiah", [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' "Hymnus Paradisi" and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] passions and "Mass in B minor", collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.		In his early days in Boston, David had founded the Boston Operatic Society<ref>[https://www.bosmusicaltheatregroup.org.uk/ BOS Musical Theatre Group] - formerly Boston Operatic Society</ref>, to raise funds for the Boston Choral Society (then named the Boston Choral Union)<ref name='Boston Choral Society'/>, which he conducted until his retirement in 1999. In his work with the Boston Choral Society he led performances of many of the great works in the choral society tradition, at concerts in the Stump and elsewhere, including [[Wikipedia:Edward Elgar\|Elgar]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Dream of Gerontius\|Dream of Gerontius]]'', [[Wikipedia:William Walton\|Walton]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Belshazzar's Feas\|Belshazzar's Feas]]'', [[Wikipedia:Joseph Haydn\|Haydn]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Creation (Haydn)\|Creation]]'', [[Wikipedia:Johannes Brahms\|Brahms]]' ''[[Wikipedia:A German Requiem (Brahms)\|Requiem]]'', [[Wikipedia:George Frideric Handel\|Handel]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Messiah (Handel)\|Messiah]]'', [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Howells]]' ''[[Wikipedia:Hymnus Paradisi\|Hymnus Paradisi]]'' and the [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] [[Wikipedia:Passions (Bach)\|passions]] and ''[[Wikipedia:Mass in B minor\|Mass in B minor]]'', collaborating with colleagues including [[Wikipedia:Harrison Oxley\|Harrison Oxley]], John Ludlow, [[Wikipedia:Neil Black\|Neil Black]], [[Wikipedia:Christopher Robinson (musician)\|Christopher Robinson]], and attracting vocal soloists of the stature of [[Wikipedia:Helen Watts\|Helen Watts]], Marion Milford and Nigel Perrin<ref>[http://www.nigelperrin.co.uk/ Nigel Perrin]</ref>. Amongst lighter fare were several performances of [[Wikipedia:Gilbert and Sullivan\|Gilbert and Sullivan]], including semi-staged productions of [[Wikipedia:H.M.S. Pinafore\|H.M.S. Pinafore]] and [[Wikipedia:The Gondoliers\|The Gondoliers]] at the [[Wikipedia:Boston College (England)\|Sam Newsom Music Centre]], which he led from the piano.

	===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===		===Childhood, Birmingham and Oxford===
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	David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.		David moved to [[Wikipedia:Winchester\|Winchester]] in early 2020 to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Sarah, and his grandchildren, Martha and Freya. He passed away in Winchester on 14 January 2021.

			==David Wright (AO 56-57) Remembers==

			''An article written by [[David Wright (staff)\|David Wright]] himself for the New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012<ref>[https://www.fcoca.org.uk/uploads/1/5/0/1/15016958/oxford_new_college_newsletter_july_2012.pdf New College Choir Association Newsletter - July 2012]</ref>''

			I was lucky enough to be the Assistant Organist at [[Wikipedia:New College, Oxford\|NC]] in a truly vintage year (1956-57), having the unique experience of working under no fewer than three eminent musicians in that short period: [[Wikipedia:Herbert Kennedy Andrews\|H.K. Andrews]], [[Wikipedia:Henry Ley\|Henry Ley]] and [[Wikipedia:Meredith Davies\|Meredith Davies]]. All three treated me as a friend rather than as a junior, and I regard it as a great privilege to have had the opportunity to be so close to them and share their confidences, which were not always anything to do with music.

			I had been the Organ Scholar at [[Wikipedia:Exeter College, Oxford\|Exeter College]], which was one of the very few Oxford Colleges that recruited local boys to sing with the college undergraduates who formed the [[Wikipedia:SATB\|ATB]] sections of the chapel choir. (Some little time later Organ Scholars at the college had the luxury of using boys from [[Wikipedia:Christ Church Cathedral School\|Christ Church School]], and of course after the college ceased to be a single-sex one female undergraduates joined the choir instead of boys, and this is the situation now.)

			In my post-graduate (B. Mus.) year, when my services were no longer required at Exeter College, H. K. Andrews invited me to be his assistant. I was flattered and thrilled that this great man had chosen me, but perhaps he was influenced by the fact that when I took the [[Wikipedia:Royal College of Organists\|F.R.C.O.]] examination I was awarded the [[Wikipedia:Richard Limpus\|Limpus Prize]]. One day HKA told me that the Headmaster of New College School would like to meet me, so I duly went along to the school. There was a chap in scruffy old overalls mowing the grass, and I politely asked him if he could tell me where I might find the Headmaster, to which he responded: "I AM the Headmaster".

			I got on really well with HKA, and found him to be very kind, supportive and encouraging, in spite of his reputation for being awkward and at loggerheads with most people. I remember that when an admiring student asked him how he managed to get his choristers to produce such beautiful tone, he growled: "They wouldn't dare not to!". HKA was also very generous. He was even intending to take me on a trip to [[Wikipedia:Bayreuth\|Bayreuth]], to experience [[Wikipedia:Richard Wagner\|Wagner]] on his home ground, although in the end this had to fall through. I was able to enjoy having the occasional dinner with him at High Table in New College at his expense, though, at which the alcohol flowed freely, including my introduction to the delights of [[Wikipedia:Cognac\|Cognac]].

			My only disappointment during this wonderful time was that a BBC programme of music by [[Wikipedia:Thomas Morley\|Morley]] that we were due to record had to be cancelled because the boys succumbed to an outbreak of [[Wikipedia:chickenpox\|chickenpox]]! (Or was it [[Wikipedia:measles\|measles]]? No doubt there are ex choristers who remember.) During the [[Wikipedia:Michaelmas term\|Michaelmas term]] HKA resigned, and Meredith Davies was appointed to succeed him. As he was the Organist at [[Wikipedia:Hereford Cathedral\|Hereford Cathedral]] he had to give the Dean and Chapter there the appropriate notice and therefore was not able to take up the NC post for a few months, so Henry Ley was brought out of retirement in [[Wikipedia:Ottery St Mary\|Ottery St. Mary]] to bridge the gap. I greatly respected him because of what he had achieved during his working life, and he was delightful to work with, but was of the opinion that the NC Choir was so good that rehearsal was superfluous! I disagreed with him over one issue – at one Evensong we had performed one of [[Wikipedia:Herbert Howells\|Herbert Howells]]'s settings (probably the [[Wikipedia:Collegium Regale (Howells)\|Coll. Reg.]]), and when he came up to the organ loft afterwards I was enthusing about the beauty, not only of the choral writing, but also that of the organ part. He made it clear that he did not think much of Howells’s organ music, saying that only [[Wikipedia:Johann Sebastian Bach\|Bach]] really knew how to write for the organ!

			In those days, as well as being a keyboard player, I was a [[Wikipedia:countertenor\|countertenor]] singer, and when Meredith Davies eventually took up office he made more use of me as an [[Wikipedia:alto\|alto]] in the choir, singing opposite Michael Groser<ref>[http://www.groserfamilies.com/misc/page1499.html Michael Groser, sculptor] - groserfamilies.com</ref>. (Incidentally, I was surprised that in all that was written about Michael after his death, no mention was made of what is my abiding memory of him, that he used to ride about on a precarious-looking motorised bicycle! It seemed somehow so to characterize his delightful but somewhat off-beat personality.) I remember in one BBC recording in which I was singing Meredith stopped the choir after the very first chord because my note was apparently not quite in tune!

			Meredith had a wry and rather naughty sense of humour, and I shan't forget an occasion when forty singers, including both him and me, were arranged in a semicircle on the [[Wikipedia:Holywell Music Room\|Holywell Music Room]] platform to perform [[Wikipedia:Thomas Tallis\|Tallis]]'s [[Wikipedia:Spem in Alium\|Spem in Alium]]. It fell to my lot to start the whole thing off, and Meredith, who was standing nearly opposite me, was doing his best to make me laugh just as we were beginning by pulling funny faces at me.

			It was in his time that I received the biggest fee, relative to the amount of work involved, that I have ever been paid. It was a BBC recording of music that was almost entirely unaccompanied. There was just one anthem (by Henry Ley, I think) that had an organ introduction consisting of just six single notes. As the organist's fee was eighteen guineas – a princely sum to a student in 1957 – I was in effect paid at the rate of three guineas per note! Incidentally, I never heard the broadcasts that we did, and I should be very interested to hear from anyone who has any recordings (presumably on reel-to-reel tape) from this era. I think they were recorded for the [[Wikipedia:BBC World Service\|BBC Overseas Service]].

			It seems a sad fact that no-one mentioned in these recollections of mine is still alive, but we are after all going back fifty-five years!

	==Radio and TV appearances==		==Radio and TV appearances==