An Ode to Doris

As the title suggests, it is dedicated to my late Mother, Doris Moore who was herself a fine singer and soloist with her local church choir.
She loved music of all kinds but particularly those post WWII musicals that swept through the West End of London in the 50’s and 60’s. I was brought up listening to that music as well as being taken to see ‘My Fair Lady’ with the original cast at the Theatre Royal, Dury Lane and Chaim Topol in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. It is thanks to her enthusiasm for music that I developed my own love of music which, in turn, I have passed on to my sons William and James.

While at Bishops Stortford College (BSC) my music tastes were expanded into the World of Classical Music. We had Music Lessons in the college Memorial Hall, where a gentle but talented teacher called Reginald Oakley introduced us (some reluctantly) to selected pieces. He would play the theme on which the piece was based and then show us how this was extrapolated into the finished work. I found it fascinating as this added that bit extra while listening to classical music.

I was also privileged, while at BSC, to be a member of the Music Society. This involved well know classical musicians performing on the stage in the College Memorial Hall.

These included Benjamin Britten & Peter Peers, Alfredo Campoli (violin), Gerald Moore (piano) and Dennis Brain (french horn). The latter really impressed me in his verbal introduction to the instrument as well as his superb playing. Sadly, not long after this masterful performance, he was killed in a car crash aged just 36 years old.

Another boost to my education in classical music was a visit to the smaller of the two cinemas in Bishops Stortford town centre, affectionately known as ‘The Flea Pit’, to watch Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’, a magic mix of cartoons and classical music that included the unforgettable ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ (Paul Dukas) featuring Mickey Mouse.

At the other end of the scale, my pop music repertoire was expanded by listening to Rock & Roll blaring out from the mobile record player in the Robert Pearce House Common Room. (My House while at boarding school) For some unexplained reason I joined the College Choir, an experience which culminated in me singing the German Chorus of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Choral Symphony – Symphony No. 9 – in All Saints Church Bishop’s Stortford. Surprisingly (or not) it was another 70 years before I sang seriously again.

Silent Worship

An adaptation by Sir Arthur Somervell of an aria by Handel

Close Every Door

Josfrom ‘JOSEPH’ by Lloyd Weber & Riceeph, Andrew Lloyd Webber

We’ll Gather Lilac’s

‘PERCHANCE TO DREAM’ by Ivor Novello

Old Man River

‘SHOW BOAT’ by Kern & Hammerstein

A Street Where You Live

‘MY FAIR LADY’ by Lerner and Loewe

The Way You Look Tonight

‘SWING TIME’ by Fields, Kern & Bennett

Hippo Song

Song by Flanders & Swann

Wonderful World

Bob Thiele & George Weiss

Summer Time

‘PORGY & BESS’ by George & Ira Gershwin

Impossible Dream

‘THE MAN FROM LA MANCHA’ by Leigh and Darion

Some Enchanted Evening

‘SOUTH PACIFIC’ by Rogers & Hammerstein

Music Of The Night

‘PHANTOM OF THE OPERA’  by Lloyd Weber & Hart

On My Mind

Carson, Christopher & James

My Way

Paul Anka

Maria

‘WEST SIDE STORY’ by Bernstein & Sondheim

You’ll Never Walk Alone

‘CAROUSEL’ by Rogers & Hammerstein

Climb Every Mountain

‘SOUND OF MUSIC’  by Rogers & Hammerstein

Somewhere

‘WEST SIDE STORY’ by Bernstein & Sondheim