Music Teachers
ATHERTON Peter (1966-1969)
Mr Atherton, who was the principal trombone in the Midland Light Orchestra, first came to Aymestrey in October 1966 offering to teach any instrument. By the end of the first term he had a quarter of the school learning something, mostly instruments he borrowed and brought with him, and at the end of a year over half the school was learning and many had brought their own instruments. He found music in boys whose parents felt sure there was little or none and very often, as a result of success in music, a boy’s other work improved markedly. He had no experience of teaching boys but he had a sure touch and his lessons were fun and exciting. No compulsory practice list was necessary as boys worked because they loved it. In a very short time most boys would find themselves playing in a group, with a part specially written for them, and here I think perhaps lay his genius, as we all felt we were working with him, not for him, or ourselves.
He was primarily a composer, though a top class performer on the trombone, and almost all the pieces he wrote for us either have been or will be published.
Peter Atherton died in a motor accident on May 19th 1969.
For many boys his death has meant a truly personal loss but they feel, as we all do, a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of having known him and having been taught and inspired by him.
(1969 magazine)
Mr Atherton, who was the principal trombone in the Midland Light Orchestra, first came to Aymestrey in October 1966 offering to teach any instrument. By the end of the first term he had a quarter of the school learning something, mostly instruments he borrowed and brought with him, and at the end of a year over half the school was learning and many had brought their own instruments. He found music in boys whose parents felt sure there was little or none and very often, as a result of success in music, a boy’s other work improved markedly. He had no experience of teaching boys but he had a sure touch and his lessons were fun and exciting. No compulsory practice list was necessary as boys worked because they loved it. In a very short time most boys would find themselves playing in a group, with a part specially written for them, and here I think perhaps lay his genius, as we all felt we were working with him, not for him, or ourselves.
He was primarily a composer, though a top class performer on the trombone, and almost all the pieces he wrote for us either have been or will be published.
Peter Atherton died in a motor accident on May 19th 1969.
For many boys his death has meant a truly personal loss but they feel, as we all do, a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of having known him and having been taught and inspired by him.
(1969 magazine)
_AUSTIN Mr J W (1957-1965)
Taught Violin
Died in 1965
BOUGHTON William (1974-?)
Ran Music. Took the choir to sing in Malvern Abbey. Played the ‘cello
Taught Violin
Died in 1965
BOUGHTON William (1974-?)
Ran Music. Took the choir to sing in Malvern Abbey. Played the ‘cello
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BURNS Miss (?1928-1929) greatly we shall miss her jolly presence, and her enthusiastic help with many things besides music lessons. We should like to refer particularly to the Choir, which has improved immensely under her guidance. (Summer 1929 magazine) |
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DAVIES Miss Rose G(? - 1956)
She retired from her post at Aymestrey in December 1956 after teaching Violin, Viola, Piano and Singing for nearly 40 years. She was very highly qualified, particularly proud of having been a pupil of W H Reed and she playing in local orchestras under many famous conductors, including Elgar. As a teacher she was forthright and exacting and many a pupil who had neglected to practice left his lesson bruised in spirit, and maybe in knuckles too; but there was no denying her quality, and boys who worked and who had music in them had their abilities brought out and trained to the highest degree of technical efficiency and style. For a long period of its history she was very much part of the school, and there will be many readers of these lines who will remember her with gratitude.
Miss Davies died in Worcester just after Easter. (1970 Magazine)
EMERY Mr (1976-?)
Woodwind
GOWLAND Stephen (1984-1998)
‘in the last ten years the music department has been active in many ways. We have taken part in singing competitions winning some, but also he was a genius at getting together small groups of musicians – a violin, trumpet, cello, recorders etc playing something he wrote for them. When it came to carols he put up with GSG’s obsession that the boys should learn all their words and that there should be no rustling of papers to disturb the magic of the singing!’ (1998 magazine)
HUNT Mr (early 1980s)
Taught piano
‘in the last ten years the music department has been active in many ways. We have taken part in singing competitions winning some, but also he was a genius at getting together small groups of musicians – a violin, trumpet, cello, recorders etc playing something he wrote for them. When it came to carols he put up with GSG’s obsession that the boys should learn all their words and that there should be no rustling of papers to disturb the magic of the singing!’ (1998 magazine)
HUNT Mr (early 1980s)
Taught piano
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JONES Tim (1978 - 1981) Taught piano |
Tim Jones
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KITTO Mr & Mrs (1976)
Taught Brass and Woodwind
MORISON Mr (1976-?)
Taught Brass
OSBORNE Mr (~ 1915)
Visiting Music Master - taught Piano at Malvern
REID Mr Reginald (late 1960s - 1972)
Played euphonium in the MLO with Peter Atherton - assisted Peter with the volume of teaching, and helped with the ensemble work.
SILENSKY Miss E (1965-?)
Taught Violin
Taught Brass and Woodwind
MORISON Mr (1976-?)
Taught Brass
OSBORNE Mr (~ 1915)
Visiting Music Master - taught Piano at Malvern
REID Mr Reginald (late 1960s - 1972)
Played euphonium in the MLO with Peter Atherton - assisted Peter with the volume of teaching, and helped with the ensemble work.
SILENSKY Miss E (1965-?)
Taught Violin
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_SPEARES Miss Irene M (1957-1966)
Taught piano and singing for over 10 years. Played the piano at Bust Up I believe she cared for her mother in St. John's, Worcester, was an avid calligraphic letter-writer and kept in touch with former pupils. Remembered fondly. Edward Tildesley (1964-1969) |
she helped me to be fascinated with the
piano, and I have gone on to turn a hobby into a profession
Anthony Powell (1956-62) I was a very poor student and did not do my practice. Once she took pity on me and instead of my piano lesson she showed me photographs of her recent holiday in Switzerland. Andrew Gosling (1956-1960) |