Musicians Mourn Their Retired Maestro.

Although raised in Reading, after gaining his degree in music from the University of Durham, John spent most of his career in Merseyside. He was a
Lecturer at C F Mott College of Education and Head of Music at the Bluecoat school, as well as a lecturer with the Open University. He also gave piano lessons to many children and adults. He was on the British Council.
He and his wife moved to Bristol five years ago to be near their family.

He is remembered with great warmth and affection by all who knew him.

International Soloist and President of the Capriols, Rosa Mannion has many happy memories of this “larger than life character with a mischievous and wicked sense of humour. John was incredibly supportive from the early years and throughout my career. He was an inspiring man and teacher, and I particularly enjoyed performing his compositions, especially when I was honoured to sing an anthem written especially for his daughter Clare at her wedding. My life has been enriched by knowing him.”

The choir’s recent chairperson Beatrice McIntosh remembers “his enormous knowledge and interest in music, art, literature, and politics! He had an immense interest in bringing young people into singing and music. He had an endless store of entertaining anecdotes. We as a family feel grateful for the memories and experiences and feel privileged to have known him.”

Another choir member, Liz Hall, remembers him for his tremendous love of music and of people, and the encouragement and enthusiasm he gave to every one. “I don’t think that any of us will forget singing with the choir at the Menin Gate last post ceremony in Ypres where a service to the fallen and missing of WW1 is held every evening. We had the honour of singing one evening while we were on a tour in Belgium. It was an incredibly moving experience for all the choir members, especially for John.”

A memorial service is being held for John at All Saints’ Church, Pembroke Road, Bristol, at 1.30 pm on Saturday 14 November. John’s family have asked if any current or past choir members and friends would like to sing at this memorial. A bus has been hired, and if you would like to attend, please contact Mike on 924-2007 for details of the bus and of the rehearsal for the service.

 

John Emery

It is with great sadness that the Crosby Capriol Singers heard of the death of their much loved retired musical director, John Emery. John, who was 81,
died in hospital in Bristol on 29 September.

John conducted the choir for 25 years until 2003. Over this period he had a huge impact on the choir, leading annual performances of many major works
such as Bach’s B Minor Mass and Haydn’s Nelson Mass which were accompanied by orchestras and professional singers. The choir was well known for having an expansive repertoire including works by composers as varied as Bach and Bacharach, and enjoyed performing John’s own works and arrangements. He gave local singers opportunities to perform in public in leading soloist roles at the start of their professional careers.