Ernest Read CBE 1879 - 1965
A biography of this dear man can be found on Wikipedia, for those of you too young to remember him. He was the first person who instilled in me my lifelong love of orchestras.
For a few brief years my family scraped together enough cash to send me to Queenswood School, near Hatfield in Hertfordshire. They were extremely happy years, and I loved being at a boarding school, set within woods in peaceful countryside, larking about with a load of other girls.
The school had a strong musical tradition, and Ernest Read was our Director of Music. Being near London meant that he could bring distinguished musicians to perform for us, and give us occasional lessons.
On Thursday afternoons it was ORCHESTRA. I would sit in the second violins, hating the sound I made, but loving the experience of orchestral playing under his baton. He would sometimes come down from his rostrum and lean over me, whispering 'smile!' as I always looked so serious. He showed us how to conduct 2/4 with one hand and 3/4 with the other, and of course how to conduct 5/4. He also demonstrated how to count bars in your head, and on your fingers, while discussing the latest football results with your neighbour. He was full of fun.
For the school choir he arranged the entire Messiah for four-part female voices, so that we could sing it at Christmas. There were also exciting coach outings to The Central Hall, Westminster, where groups of us would attend the Ernest Read Children's Concerts. A huge London orchestra, playing short themes, and illustrating the sound of their instruments to the delight of us youngsters, before performing the complete works. There were always lots of jokes of course.
It was on an Ernest Read Summer School course at our school that I first heard a bunch of bassoons playing. From that moment the violin was set aside, and my life changed for ever.
Thank you, Uncle Ernie!
Queenswood School, and the school song he composed for us.
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