The death of former music teacher Hugh Turpin (M 83-13) has affected many people, and some of the tributes we have received follow.

Jill Hudson (M 90-15) writes:

“I had the pleasure and privilege of working in St Bees Music Department under Hugh’s inspirational leadership for many years. Hugh was a highly intelligent man, multi-talented and well-read in many disciplines besides music. In school he was invariably kind, witty and good humoured, and he never failed to show deep appreciation of the help and support given to him by both staff and pupils.

I have many happy memories of the wonderful concerts, choir tours, and in particular the carol services, which he planned to perfection, introducing all of us to some of the best choral music in the repertoire. He was not afraid to tackle works which others would have thought far too difficult for us to manage, and in doing so kindled a lifelong love of classical music in many who would otherwise have been afraid of it.

It wasn’t always easy for the rest of us to keep up with a man who was so gifted in improvisation – both musical and otherwise! On one choir tour to Germany there was no one to play the French horn in the orchestra, so he played it himself, through a euphonium mouthpiece attached with gaffer-tape. On another occasion when a school inspector was visiting, Hugh forgot to bring the CD of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ which he needed for his lesson, so he played the whole piano part himself, from memory!

Hugh was one of a kind, and the St Bees School community was enormously enriched by his prodigious talent and engaging personality.”

 

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St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

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