Condolence Book

My three years as a choral scholar under Stephen (86-89) as well as his valliant efforts to instil the basics of Harmony, counterpoint, fugue etc, have shaped me into the musician I am able to be today. I was fortunate to have Stephen come to work in Madrid on 3 seminars, and his warmth, attention to detail and GIVING touched many people on those occasions. When I look at a piece I have to teach, I often think "How would Stephen approach this?". Thinking of Emma and the girls.

Thank you for the music I have enjoyed over many years. I wish I could have heard it more often in person but Christchurch, New Zealand is a little bit too far away. Rest in peace.

Stephen followed me as Organ Scholar at St. John's College, Cambridge. We overlapped in the Long Vacation Term, June - July 1967. George Guest was in America, I was in charge and Stephen played the organ. I remember him in rehearsal misreading a chord at the very end of Like as the hart (Howells); in Evensong of course it was perfect. Stephen was an amazingly sympathetic and musical organist. I was fortunate to be at Ely Cathedral when he played the Durufle Requiem with the choirs of Westminster and Winchester Cathedrals and King's and St. John's Colleges, conducted by George Guest in a concert marking George's retirement. But it is as a brilliant choir trainer and conductor that Stephen will go down in history. During his long and distinguished tenure at King's, he persuaded millions of listeners and viewers to tune into choral music of every genre. It would be unthinkable now to reverse his revolutionary idea of commissioning a contemporary carol every year at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. One year I wrote to congratulate him on a particularly inspired choice of carols. He warmly thanked me; obviously he had to put up with many more letters of criticism than appreciation! However Stephen was more than just an outstanding musician - he was a perfect gentleman, always kind and courteous. I have many memories which bear this out. In 1989 I gave an organ recital in King's College in memory of Kenneth Leighton. Stephen wined and dined me and wrote a wonderful letter of thanks and appreciation. A few years ago he masterminded a Cathedral Organists conference in Cambridge, devoting much time and energy to showing us round King's College Choir School and the Chapel (but he never ventured on to the roof as some of us did!) The last time I saw him was in 2014. During the Michaelmas Term I was Acting Director of Music at Magdalene College. When I was free I took the opportunity of attending Evensong at King's (and other notable colleges). Stephen was, as always, most welcoming. Indeed one evening he invited my wife and me to be his guests at High Table. There were no other diners, just the two of us with Stephen, Senior Fellow and perfect host! Now, Stephen, you will be partaking in the Heavenly Feast. Woe betide the Heavenly Choirs if they stray out of line! Jonathan Bielby MBE Organist Emeritus, Wakefield Cathedral

Sir Stephen has for many years been a beacon for all those who love the English choral tradition. I have always appreciated the evidence of his masterly teaching and unobtrusive direction of the choir, and his maintenance of deep reverence for the numinous atmosphere of the Chapel. As well as his gift of inspiration and musical excellence, though, he has left the legacy of his professional and caring interaction as a mentor and teacher with a significant number of young men and boys over the many years of his leadership of this most quintessential of English musical entities. His was a rare gift; we are thankful for his time shared with not only the choir, but the international community who follow and appreciate its work; we are happy to commend him into the hands of his loving Creator; our only sadness is that he did not live to enjoy a long and blessed retirement. May he rest in peace and rise in glory, surrounded by the harmonies of heaven.