Condolence Book

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It is with great sadness that King’s College has learned of the death of Sir Stephen Cleobury. Following a long illness, Stephen died peacefully in the late evening of 22 November – the feast day of St Cecilia, patron saint of music and musicians – in York, where he had lived since his retirement in September.

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With great sadness I read of the death of Stephen Cleobury. My wife and I enjoyed every year his Festifal of Nine Lessons and carols. And we enjoyed his music on cd’s and dvd’s. A verhaal great loss. Knowing about a year of his retirement we had wished him a long time of joy. Alas, hè died so soon. We think of his wife and children, but also to the of the wonderpil choir.

P.H.M. Rubsamen , the Netherlands

Thank you for your wonderful contribution to choral music. You were a true inspiration to the many choristers at Kings. May you rest in peace.

Keith Clark

I am listening to this year’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols to which Sir Stephen Cleobury contributed so much over very many years. This wonderful service is as fitting a memorial as any to a wonderful musician who will be much missed not only by those like me who listen to this service annually but also by those with whom he worked and those he tutored with such dedication. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Mark Devin

I extend my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Sir Stephen and to the entire King’s College choir and staff. I was greatly saddened to learn just before Christmas that he had passed a month earlier. His contributions to King’s and the wider musical world were immense, and he will be sadly missed. His long tenure covered the entire period of my interest in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, of which I first became aware in the 1990s and to which I listen live on radio in the U.S. every Christmas Eve. RIP.

Larry Pansino

Sir Stephen Cleobury, his dedication to music, his ability to draw from a singer the wonders we are lucky enough to enjoy via radio are just of the truly amazing things he has given us. Not only his listeners via radio but the listeners world wide will be benifiting from and enjoying the music in it's many forms, for centuries to come. The gift he was blessed with, he has shared with us all, all over the world. What he achieved, was done by hard, dedicated work and study. Somehow, in his life time, he was able to connect the past,the present and the future through music. So sad he is no longer with us but....the legacy he has left us is beyond price.

Heather and Michael Bennett.

Sir Stephen Cleobury will never know the immense love the world feels for him and the his glorious choir. His passing will be lamented by all who have had the joy of listening to the choir at Easter, Christmas, at home and attending special occasions. Sir Stephen Cleobury has left a substantial gift of his musical legacy to the world. A light has gone out in the earthly world and a star now shines bright in the heavenly world. His love of music will live on eternally in our hearts and resound in our ears joyfully.

Myriam Johanson

I am very saddened with the huge loss of Sir Stephen Cleobury. My condolences to his family and his musical family the choir. The magnificent choir and their divine singing under the magical direction of Sir Stephen Cleobury, has been an important part of my life, it has indeed enriched my heart and soul. I was very honoured to attend a memorial concert at Ely Cathedral 2018, featuring the music of Vaughan Williams, one of my favourite composers. To make the evening even more special Sir Stephen Cleobury was the musical director. Those fond musical memories of that night will stay with me forever.

Sophie

I was so very saddened to hear of Stephen's passing. His influence in the musical world was great, and his kindness on a personal level seemingly boundless. He was my friend, and I shall miss him.

Colin Hawke

It was a very real privilege to sing in the CUMS Choir under Sir Stephen’s baton from 1982-1984. What an inspiration he was. His legacy will live on in those he inspired to sing choral music for many years after his sad passing. Dr Richard Roope, (Gonville & Caius 1981-1984)

Richard Roope

I am sitting at home listening to A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Radio 4, not realising until I read the order of service that Stephen had died. So poignant then that my favourite of his descents to Once In Royal should be sung this year. Whilst so very sad, may I celebrate Stephen's life for the hoy it brought me. God bless.

David Brattle

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