Condolence Book

It was with great sadness that my husband and I learned of Sir Stephen's passing. As retired church musicians, we have both benefited from his superb recordings, his own compositions and arrangements, and the works of many composers he has encouraged through his teaching, mentoring and commissioning of new works. As we approach Christmas Eve 2019 and prepare to listen to this year's Lessons and Carols, we will be reminded again of all his accomplishments and of the huge hole that his passing leaves in the lives of so many people.

Stephen has been a welcoming friend for many years and we'll miss him very much. And thank you for the music.

Rest in peace, Sir Stephen Cleobury. You will be missed.

There is great sadness in Minnesota at the loss of Stephen Cleobury. As a place with a deep and long choral history he would draw great crowds to our St. Paul Cathedral to hear the choir. Christmas Eve for many here starts at 9:00 am with the broadcast of the service starting with Michael Barone's quiet introduction. This year there will be a few tears, too. I will always remember the week I spent in August 2008 as his "chauffeur" when he played for the national AGO convention here. His ease of conversation and conviviality are personal attributes that only add to his magnificent musicality. His kind invitation and hosting us in 2009 for the Advent service and Fellows' dinner are treasured memories, as was the pleasure of meeting his family and colleagues who obviously treasured him. My sympathy to them and his other close friends and collaborators in Cambridge and around the world. As in Deuteronomy 33: The eternal God is his resting place and underneath are the everlasting arms.A gentle place for a gentle man and great musician.