Private School News

Concert to Commemorate former Director of Music

Bristol Cathedral School dedicated its spring concert to the memory of John Bettley, who was Director of Music at the School from 2005 until his untimely death in an accident last year.

Bristol Cathedral School Head Hugh Monro announced at the concert that a new Bursary has been established in John Bettley’s name, to fund specialist music teaching for pupils at the School when it becomes an Academy in September. The Academy will specialise in Music and Mathematics.

Mr Monro said “John’s love of music and his teaching of it have had an influence on all of us. The students have worked incredibly hard to put on this year’s orchestral concert and their strength and sense of ambition have resulted in the achievements you will hear tonight. We dedicate this concert to John Bettley.”

The programme was diverse, from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue to Crussel’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2. Before he died, John Bettley had begun preparing the pupils for the concert at St George’s, which is one of the traditional musical highlights of Bristol Cathedral School’s year. The concert was attended by members of his close family.

The Head of Music at Backwell School and a long-standing friend of John Bettley’s, Mark Finch, was invited to conduct the Gershwin piece. Another friend, Ed Davies, Head of Music at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple, conducted Vivaldi’s Gloria. All three men worked together to take Bristol Cathedral School’s orchestra and choir and other schools’ musicians on a successful trip to Bordeaux in the spring of last year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bristol-Bordeaux link. Pupils from both schools were also invited to join the memorial concert at St George’s, Brandon Hill.
John Bettley, who was 57, was killed as he was crossing the Wells Road in Bath in November 2007.

Former colleagues and pupils all paid tribute to him on the night: 17-year-old Josie Houghton, who was the soloist for the Crussel Clarinet Concerto said: “I remember that my first day was Mr Bettley’s first day: being slightly nervous together formed an immediate bond. He helped me to prepare for my Grade 8 examination and accompanied me when I played. He was so enthusiastic about music, if we liked a piece he would arrange it for us – from jazz to the Beach Boys’ Barbara Ann.”

Jennifer Mitchell, also 17, who sang a Vivaldi duet, said “I only joined the school in September, but Mr Bettley had such an impact. My confidence in my singing was very low, but he kept encouraging me. He was the most encouraging teacher I have ever had.”

And Mr Bettley’s deputy in the Music Department, Amy Sims, said “It was a pleasure to work with John. During his time at BCS, John’s love of music in all its forms, but particularly organ and choral music, had a major impact on many people.”